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Stargate: Mass Effect
Chapter3: Disclosure and Consequences
March 14th 2004
Sol System
Earth
Washington DC / White House
President's Office
President Henry Hayes looked over the table at the number of high rank officials in the room and leaned back in his chair at the head of the table. After a few moment of silence he asked the question that needed to be asked.
"Where do we go from here?"
It was General Hammond who spoke first, "Mister President I don't think we can cover something of this scale up like we've done before. We detonated a lot of nuclear ordinance in orbit above over a dozen countries worldwide and with the satellites all but destroyed I doubt the world will just accept another cover story like a meteor shower or a solar flare."
"I have to agree Mister President," said Doctor Weir from the speaker phone.
"Alright then, what are our options?" Hayes asked.
"We need to hold a conference and prepare for full disclosure. It might be a good idea for the Systems Alliance to do it rather than the United States or any individual country. We need to send a message to everyone on Earth saying we stand together united," Maynard stated clearly.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Hammond added.
"Alright I'll try and organize a conference in Geneva for some time in the next few days. Keep in mind I want our fleet on standby in orbit as soon as their repairs are done, god only knows what will happen when the Goa'uld find out that we kicked the ass of their strongest System Lord. Best to be prepared," Hayes ordered.
"Of course Mister President," Maynard nodded in understanding.
"Mister President if I may?" Weir said.
"Go ahead doctor," Hayes gave the okay.
"Mister President it might be a good idea to disclose some parts concerning the Goa'uld and ours ships on various news networks. Not complete disclosure but enough to keep the masses from panicking," Weir explained.
"That might be a good idea considering the state of affairs," Maynard said with a nod.
"Alright then...Doctor Weir would you please inform Major Carter and Doctor Jackson that they need to come to Washington. Also have Teal'c come as well, maybe having alien allies will help calm the masses," Hayes ordered.
"Yes sir," Weir responded.
"Doctor have you heard anything from the Asgard?" Hammond inquired.
"No we haven't," Weir replied.
"I was hoping that they would at least pay us a visit to check if we're alright but clearly they are preoccupied at the moment," Hammond commented.
"The Asgard are supposed to be our allies," Maynard said with a look of slight disgust. "Where were they when Anubis was knocking on our doorstep?"
"The Asgard are currently at war with a race called the Replicators and are gradually losing ground. It's not really a surprise that they couldn't spare any ships to aid us," Major Davis responded.
"Whatever the case may be I will be speaking with the rest of the Alliance Council about our next course of action," Hayes said as he stood followed by the others.
As everyone started to leave Hammond turned to the president and spoke. "Mister President about the vice president, I-" he started.
"I already know George," Hayes interrupted. "I fired him when he tried to convince me not to shut down the SGC after we blew Anubis' fleet out of the sky."
"I understand sir," Hammond nodded and turned to leave.
Hayes watched him go and sighed, "it's never easy."
March 20th 2004
Sol System
Earth
Stargate Command / Cheyenne Mountain
Control Room
"Have you seen the news?" Weir asked as she and Daniel entered stepped up behind the control center.
"I've been trying to ignore it," Daniel admitted. "You know I was expecting worldwide panic not—not this."
"It took me by surprise too," Weir agreed. "It's a good job the Systems Alliance was created when it did because if it didn't then we'd have had a lot more problems."
"I just hope the Middle East settles down now that the world knows we've got bigger problems to deal with," Daniel said with a sigh.
"Did you enjoy your time on CNN?" she asked him with no small amount of teasing.
"No," Daniel responded. "I didn't mind it until they started asking me about the first planet we visited...Abydos."
"I see," Weir nodded in understanding having read the file.
"Unscheduled off-world activation," Walter spoke from the main consol as the Stargate activated, establishing a wormhole. "We're receiving a signal, it's in text format," he added as the computer screen to his side flickered on and displayed the alien language.
"Great, the Goa'uld are texting us now," Weir shook her head at the thought. "What's next? Are they going to become space hippies?"
"Jokes aside I think this is serious," Daniel said as he read the alien language.
"What's it say?" Weir asked.
"It's from one of the Goa'uld System Lords, his name is Camulus...he wants to arrange a meeting with us," Daniel started.
"Why would he want to meet us?" Weir asked confused.
"Not just him, all of them. All of the System Lords," Daniel explained. "They want to negotiate a treaty with us, here on Earth."
"...Well there goes my afternoon schedule," Weir sighed as the gate shutdown.
"You'd better contact the president and the council. I get the feeling that we're in for quite a time," Daniel suggested.
"You have got to be kidding me," President Hayes said through the speaker phone.
"I'm not joking Mister President," Weir confirmed. "The Goa'uld are requesting we allow them to come to Earth in order to negotiate a treaty."
"Not a chance in hell," Hayes responded venomously. "Anubis damn near blasted Earth into oblivion and were it not for the efforts of SG1 we'd all be dead right now. Tell them to go screw themselves Doctor."
"Mister President I think we should hear what they have to say, if only to find out what they want exactly and what they're offering in return. It's worth a shot sir," Weir said clearly.
"...Alright fine, but if they even blink the wrong way I want them gone. Understand?" Hayes clarified.
"Completely sir," Weir responded with a nod.
"Good...tell Doctor Jackson that Major Carter and Teal'c have taken the enhanced cargo ship in hopes of making contact with the Asgard in order to help Colonel O'Neill and re-establish contact with them. Keep me posted Doctor," Hayes concluded just before the line cut off.
"Well it could be worse I guess," Weir sighed.
"Just another day on the job," Daniel shrugged and exited the room.
March 21st 2004
Sol System
Earth
Stargate Command / Cheyenne Mountain
Gate Room
"Chevron seven locked," Walter spoke from the control room as the gate activated. The wormhole quickly formed as the iris blocked the event horizon and stop anyone from coming through. "Receiving a transmission...it's the Goa'uld," Walter reported.
"...Let them through," Weir ordered and the iris quickly retracted. A second later three males and one female stepped through the gate, "welcome to Earth. I am Doctor Elizabeth Weir of the Terran Systems Alliance, welcome to the SGC."
"Doctor Weir," spoke the lead Goa'uld as his eyes glowed. "I am Camulus, this is Amaterasu and Yu and his first prime, Oshu."
"Right this way," Weir gestured for them to follow and they quickly arrived in the briefing room.
The Goa'uld sat down at one of the table while the two Terrans sat down at the other end. The guards stood at the door waiting for orders but also keeping an eye on the three aliens sitting in the room, aliens whom had commanded the forces that had tried to kill them on numerous occasions.
"Your unexpected defeat of Anubis has created an unstable situation among the system lords so in order to avoid open war we came to an agreement to divide his territories and armies equally," Amaterasu explained.
"How civilized of you," Daniel commented though the sarcasm was lost on the three Goa'uld.
"Yes; unfortunately one among us has broken that agreement," Amaterasu added.
"It was Baal wasn't it? He was always the most level-headed among you," Daniel inquired.
"He was able to locate the planet where Anubis created his kull warriors," Camulus explained.
"He was able to access Tartarus?" Daniel asked in surprise.
"Yes, he managed to capture the fortress and reprogrammed the kull warriors to serve him. He now represents a threat to the entire galaxy," Amaterasu reasoned.
"In battle the kull warriors are far superior to the Jaffa and given enough time he will eventually conquer the galaxy. If that were to happen then no one would be safe from his forces," Camulus concluded.
"While this is all very interesting I fail to see why we should care," Weir spoke up. "We have the ability to defeat kull warriors and if Anubis couldn't defeat Earth with over thirty Ha'taks including his flagship I can't see his former lackey doing any better."
Yu quickly gestured for his first prime to approach allow him to whisper into the young Jaffa's ear. "My master wishes to say, it is well known that the Tau'ri possess a powerful new weapon, something far beyond your current level of technology," Oshu said clearly.
"Actually it's not that far out of regular tech level now," Weir countered. "We have had access to Ancient designed weapons and shield technologies for over a Terran year now and have already used them against Anubis. We destroyed half of his fleet before using the weapon you mentioned just now to destroy the remaining ships including his flagship."
"What?" Amaterasu asked alarmed. "Where did you acquire such technology?"
"That's for us to know and you never to find out. Like I said before Baal wouldn't last long in a fight against us," Weir shot back.
Silence fell on the room as the Goa'uld tried to come to terms with what they had heard...
"Still with the weaponry at your command you could prevent Baal from becoming a threat to the rest of the galaxy. If Baal defeats us how long do you think it'll be before he turns his attention on you?" Camulus asked the Terrans.
"If he does then he will suffer the same fate as Anubis," Weir shrugged unconcerned.
"Perhaps, however there are other worlds in this galaxy without the luxury of such advanced defences," Amaterasu spoke up knowingly.
Daniel narrowed his eyes at that, "what are you talking about?"
"We could not help but notice that the Asgard did not come to aid you when Anubis threatened your planet, in fact we've heard very little from the Asgard for some time now," Amaterasu explained.
Daniel chuckled at that, "that's funny we talk to them all the time. In fact one of our ships is on course for the Asgard homeworld right now to discuss the Protected Planet's Treaty and the possibility of technological exchange."
"What? That's a violation of the treaty!" Camulus explained as he stood up quickly.
"So was launching a full-scale attack on Earth," Daniel shot back. "Because Anubis was a Goa'uld and decided to attack Earth we decided to tell the Asgard to remain on standby and let us deal with Anubis. That way the Goa'uld would violate the treaty and allow the Asgard to give us some advanced technology as compensation."
"We told them to protect the other planets under the treaty just in case some of you decided to attack them while we dealt with Anubis," Weir explained.
"Not that it matters," Amaterasu said moving the conversation away from the level of technology the Tau'ri now possessed. "Baal believes that the Asgard can no longer enforce the treaty and intends to take the planets under the treaty."
"Perhaps a short recess is in order," Daniel suggested.
"Agreed," Camulus nodded as he sat back down.
Weir entered her office and sat down as Daniel closed the door behind him.
"Exactly how many planets are under the treaty?" Weir inquired.
"Twenty-six, twenty-seven if you were to include Earth," Daniel answered. "Their populations range from anywhere between a few hundred thousand to one and a half billion."
"So what good is the treaty if the Asgard aren't around to enforce it?" Weir asked in disbelief.
"At one time they were but because of their war with the Replicators their forces are stretched pretty thin these days. We've kinda been trading on the threat really, a kinda big bluff," Daniel replied.
"Great," Weir sighed in frustration as she sat back in her chair. "Baal's about to call our bluff; we can defend Earth but what about those other worlds?"
"I don't know," Daniel said as he shook his head.
Weir thought for a moment before coming to a decision, "I think I have an idea but I'm not sure if the president or the council will like it."
"Oh? What is it?" Daniel asked.
"Earth's about to make a major commitment," Weir sighed as she stood up and the two re-entered the briefing room. They sat back down at the table a second later, "while your intelligence is appreciated we will not interfere in an internal Goa'uld affair. If Baal breaks the treaty then he will suffer the consequences, that's all there is too it."
"Unfortunately we do not share your faith in the Asgard, we must stop Baal before it comes to that," Camulus responded in slight worry.
"The Asgard will not be upholding the Protected Planets Treaty, we will," Weir declared.
"You?" Amaterasu asked in surprise.
"Yes us," Weir confirmed as Daniel shot her questioning glances. "We will enforce the treaty from now on and if Baal is stupid enough then we deal with him."
"You don't have the forces to do that," Amaterasu sneered.
"Wrong, we do have the forces to do that," Weir countered.
"We know that the Tau'ri have the ability to build battleships however without viable hyperspace technology you cannot reach the planets under the treaty or strike back at your enemies. You also have a limited number of ships at your disposal," Amaterasu snarled.
"Actually all of our ships are equipped with Terran-built Hyperdrives and once negotiations with the Asgard are concluded we'll have access to their Hyperdrives and other technologies to better defend the planets under the treaty. In a few years we'll have a fleet large enough to patrol the entire galaxy," Weir shot back with a small smile.
"Surely there is something we can offer you for your aid in the fight against Baal?" Camulus inquired hoping to steer the conversation in a more favourable direction.
"You don't have anything we want," Weir said simply.
"But-" Camulus started.
"If that's all then we're done here," Weir concluded and nodded towards the guards. She stood as did Daniel, "thank you for the intelligence but don't expect us to help you fight Baal. We'll just wait until he's finished wiping out your forces and then by that time we should have enough ships to confront Baal directly." She motioned for the guards to take them, "you're free to go."
"This isn't over Tau'ri," Amaterasu spat before she and the other Goa'uld were escorted from the room.
Once they were gone Daniel spoke, "you do realise you just committed Earth to defending twenty-seven planets right?"
"I know," Weir nodded as she turned away. "Thankfully the Systems Alliance shipyards are finishing construction on the next batch of ships including the new D305-class Dreadnought, the Everest and the AC306-class Assault Carrier, Iwo Jima."
"Yeah I've seen the designs for them," Daniel nodded in understanding. "Those two are over a mile long and nearly half the size of a Ha'tak."
"I get the feeling we're going to need them soon," Weir said grimly.
"Run that by me again Doctor," the US President asked through the phone.
"It was the only thing I thought we could use that would get them to leave without much trouble," Weir responded. "Sir if Baal breaks the Protected Planets Treaty and the Asgard are unable to do anything then he will launch a full scale invasion of Earth and while I do believe we can repel an attack, it would also severely cripple our fleet and possibly harm the planet itself. I think that our best choice right now is to keep the fighting away from Earth, this way if Baal attacks one of the planets under the treaty he'll think that the Asgard are letting us do their job for them which isn't far from the truth."
"She's right Mister President," she heard the voice of General Hammond through the speaker phone. "As long as Baal thinks that the Asgard can still enforce the treaty then Earth will remain safe but if he suspects that that isn't the case then he will attack."
"How long until the new ships are ready?" Weir asked.
"A few days," General Maynard responded.
"Well then we'd better hurry them up," Hayes concluded.
Author's Notes:
Alright the negotiations between Earth and the Goa'uld are over with Earth now dealing with the after affects of the attack and committed defending those under their protection. The Everest and the Iwo Jima are based on the designs of those from Mass Effect cruiser and carrier. Next chapter will deal with the Asgard and the Replicators and then it's pretty much original after that.
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