I own none of the TV, movies, books or games mentioned
Galaxy maps are available on request. Just private message me your email address. I highly recommend it as the description of the Star Wars territory is hard to visualize. Unfortunately no Stargate galaxy map exists.
A Reminder of the ranks
Military: Ensign, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel, Commander, Commandant, Admiral/General, Warmaster
Astarii: Apprentice/Lieutenant, Padawan/Major, Knight/Colonel, Master/Commandant, Council Master/Admiral/General, Grand Master/Warmaster
Italics are thoughts.
"Bold italics with speech marks are a symbiote speaking."
Bold italics with no speech marks is a symbiote thinking.
Hyperspace = stargate + star wars hyperspace
Jumpspace = Babylon 5 hyperspace
Review Responses
My thanks to all who reviewed nicely.
NOTE: Some have questioned what has happened to the Goa'uld controlled Director Tal Shiar. While Zo'or has taken over the Intelligence Directorate in all but name Shiar has been placed on 'gardening leave' rather than fired. She is currently investigating supposed breaches in the planetary defences. Humiliating for a Director but for a Goa'uld who wants to keep out of sight for now…
Also as for not checking for Goa'uld infiltration. Anyone who goes through the gate is thoroughly checked as are people accessing high security areas such as the two starbases. As Shiar has never been near the stargate she hasn't been checked and as she's now on 'gardening leave' with her access to secure area's revoked she won't be tested as a matter of course if she keeps her head down.
Chapter 28: Taking The Plunge
White House Situation Room, Washington DC – Earth
"Are we prepared?" President Bartlett asked his three closest advisors.
"The state governors will mobilise the National Guard tomorrow morning Mr President. They should be in place by the time Queen Elizabeth addresses the United Nations." Admiral Fitzwallace reported.
"It's whether we can trust the National Guard that worries me. Their human just like everyone else and this is going to come as a total shock to them." Nancy McNally observed.
"The US Army is on full alert and ready to support the National Guard." Admiral Fitzwallace replied. "The Airforce and Navy are also ready to protect our airspace and waters from incursion."
"We've done all we can do Mr President." Leo McGarry concluded. "All we can do now is ride it out."
President Bartlett nodded before continuing. "Is there anything else?"
"The Asgard have apparently managed to hack the GRP's datalinks so thoroughly that they managed to gain access to even the Level Omega material. A fact I find very disconcerting given that our best spy network can provide us with only slightly more information than the Republic news services." Nancy McNally reported. As the National Security Advisor she took the almost total failure of Earth's attempts at spying as a personal failure.
"The Asgard can break into their computers? So it can be done?" Admiral Fitzwallace questioned.
"Yes. It can be done by a race that can shut down the entire SGC with something smaller than a TV remote and that were walking the stars when we were all discovering fire." McNally deadpanned.
"So not immediately feasible for us then?" President Bartlett concluded with a small note of hope.
"I'm afraid not Mr President. The Republic is simply to good at internal security for us to get any technical data whatsoever and getting any other type of intelligence is proving difficult in the extreme." McNally Replied.
"Well they've been through a major war and a cold war that's rapidly heating up. Its to be expected their security will be high and competent." Leo McGarry concluded sadly.
The table was silent for a moment as they all considered the changes tomorrow would bring.
"The world changes forever tomorrow. We'd better be ready." President Bartlett murmured.
James Koren's Office, PKSB Defiance of the Night – Kaitain
You know my intelligence briefing contained something interesting today." James said looking at Chris.
"What?" The ever curious younger man asked.
"Great Britain's Parliament approved the existence of their armed forces last night." James replied with an enigmatic smile.
"What?" Chris asked in shock. "They were considering disbanding them?!"
"No." James replied knowing Chris would like the explanation. "The British armed forces are known as Her Majesties Armed Forces because they are under the direct control of the Monarch. In turn they can only be maintained in peace time with the consent of Parliament in case any Monarch decides to try and imitate Charles I and disband the Parliament by force and rule alone."
"But Great Britain is a democracy right?" Chris questioned.
"In fact yes but not in Law." James replied. "It really is fascinating. They have no written constitution so everything is a integral tapestry of centuries of tradition woven together. Of course today the Monarch's powers of Commander in Chief are used on the request, read orders, of the Prime Minister as all of the Monarchs powers are but the laws remain unchanged and so every year the Parliament has to approve the existence of the British Army, the Royal Airforce and the Royal Navy. Should it fail to do so then legally Great Britain would not have a single soldier."
Chris's eyes had lit up in excitement at the prospect of such an interesting topic and resolved to talk to James about it later. Right now he pressed. "So now you've avoided the point a little longer want to let us know what's bothering you and why Zo'or is here?"
"So Earth changes at midnight." James mused looking out of the viewport. "The time difference." He said to Chris's confused look.
Chris's mouth formed a little O of realisation.
"We're sure that everything will go according to plan?" James asked Zo'or
"As sure as we can be." The Androgynous Taelon replied.
His resonant voice is so different to Chris's soft yet powerful one, it feels wrong somehow to hear any other voice in this office. "All the member nations all have to much to lose to break the CNE no matter what pressure is put on them from other countries or in the short term their own electorate?" James questioned.
"Yes." Zo'or replied his ridged and elegant movements enhancing his speech. "The United States retains the Stargate, Canada retains Ice Station*, Japan gains the HQ for the Planetary Defence Network, Russia becomes the home base for the majority of the planetary defence fighter squadrons, China becomes home to the power plants that run the planetary defences, Australia becomes home to Earth's first spaceport, Germany becomes the manufacturer of mechanical trade goods, new construction and maintenance parts and France becomes the producer of food trade goods and supply's."
"Wait. So what does Great Britain get?" Chris asked frowning.
U.N. General Assembly Building, New York – Earth
All 192 members of the United Nations were present in the chamber today. Overnight the podium where world leaders stood had been removed and the British Throne had been quickly removed from the House of Lords in Westminster Palace, more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, and put in it's place.
The rumbling of conversation died as Elizabeth Grady, Prime Minister of Her Majesties United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood before the microphone.
"Mr Speaker, Her Imperial Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of England! God save the Queen!"
"God Save The Queen!" The commonwealth countries of whom Elizabeth II was also Queen and head of state of shouted back.
Escorted by four crimson robed beefeaters the silver haired 83 year old, now the only surviving head of state who had served in uniform in World War Two entered the room. Quietly and with dignity she took her place on the throne wearing the Imperial State Crown and carrying the two sceptre's, the sceptre of the cross and the sceptre of the dove, that represented her spiritual and temporal authority.
"People of the World. By now none of you can have failed to notice the space ship that crash landed in the area of our Kingdom known as Cardigan Bay."
As Queen Elizabeth was speaking Prime Minister Grady came to stand at her left shoulder. To the great surprise and murmuring of the delegates President Bartlett stepped out on to the stage and stood at her left shoulder. The three leaders were soon joined by the leaders of the other Security Council Permanent Members. Now flanked by the 5 most powerful leaders in the word, Elizabeth, Queen of Great Britain and 15 other nations delivered the words that would change Earth forever.
"The scientists investigating the ship have delivered to us one unanimous verdict. The ship is of non human origin."
The quiet murmuring stopped dead. All of the chamber stared at The Queen in shock and disbelief.
"The material used to construct the ship can be found nowhere on Earth. The methods of construction baffle the world's most experienced engineers, its computers and systems are beyond are most eminent scientists and the ship itself is designed for a species that is far from human in it's size, in it's strength and in it's requirements for life. This ship could not have been created by any nation on Earth. Since we first looked up and saw the stars humans, from the lowest slave to the highest Emperor have asked one question. Are we alone?"
The chamber was still silent as Queen Elizabeth II finally answered the question that had been asked by so many.
"Today we finally have proof that we are not alone, that intelligent life exists on planets other than ours and that God's creation was infinitely greater than we thought. May he save us all."
"Her Majesty the Queen!" Prime Minister Grady called out rather shakily as The Queen rose from The Throne.
The United Nations General Assembly descended into pandemonium.
BBC
Good Afternoon. Here is the news.
Following the astounding revelations The Queen announced to the world this morning the entire world has been in a state of chaos. Here at home due to major protests both supporting the declaration of The Queen and others declaring the whole thing a hoax the Police have been forced to put troops in riot gear on the streets of all major cities and a dusk until dawn has been imposed across Great Britain. Thankfully none of the protests seem to be escalating into out right riots.
The story is much the same across Europe with only a handful of cities having to be placed under martial law.
In the United States the National Guard has been mobilised and is now in every major city. Riots are taking place across the area known as the bible belt as the most extreme right wing Christians refuse to accept the existence of alien life calling the entire thing a hoax designed to destroy the power of the United States.
Martial law has been declared throughout Iran and protests have already been forcibly disbanded by the army with several hundred casualties. The Ayatollahs official line is that there is no alien ship, just an elaborate western hoax to undermine the rule of Islam. Shira law makes no provision for alien life so therefore none can exist. The Iranian population seems split on the issue resulting in large protests and counter protests that continue to spring up despite the army disbanding them.
The road blocks on the roads leading to Aberystwyth are becoming overwhelmed with the flood of sightseers and conspiracy theorists hoping to get close to the space ship. The Ark Royal carrier group has also had to open fire on several commercial and Greenpeace vessels that refused to turn back once they breached the exclusion zone.
We will bring you more on this as it develops.
Vatican City, Office of the Pope – Earth
"We are certain of this?" The Pope John Paul II asked his assembled cardinals and advisors.
"Yes Holy Father, we have confirmed that to the best of the knowledge of all the highly placed faithful who owe us favours, including President Bartlet himself, that this is no hoax. Alien life exists and Great Britain has proof of it." The lead cardinal answered.
"Well. What do we do?" The Pope asked. "This will have profound implications for the faithful. God created man and woman to rule over the beasts of the Earth but where do aliens fit in? God created us in his image but why then do other intelligent species exist? Our Heavenly Father sent his only son to sacrifice himself for us but why are we the only ones to benefit from his sacrifice? Why is our world the only one who knows his word? If God created the universe and gave it to man why are other races more advanced than us?"
The assembled cardinals sat silent in the face of the Bishop of Rome's pointed and very good questions.
"Holy Father our task is clear. Genesis says that we were created to rule over all of the beasts, the bible says that Jesus Christ scarified himself on the cross for man, not aliens. There can be no doubt that we are the heavenly father's master race placed above all the others. We will use this gift that has been given us to match their technology and they we shall sweep forth from this Earth bringing his word and his commandments to all in the galaxy." Cardinal Adrical had spittle flying from his mouth by the end of his speech.
"No." The Pope's single word shocked everyone who heard it.
"But Holy Father!"
"I said no! Unless you wish to challenge my position as God's representative on Earth? My place as the Bishop of Rome in direct and unbroken succession from Simon Peter, Jesus's most beloved disciple?"
The others were silent. The authority and infallibility of the Pope was the central point of Catholicism. The Pope stood with difficulty and looked out of the window over St Peter's Square where the faithful had gathered in ever increasing numbers.
"The crusades are the most humiliating mistake in the history of Christ's church and I will not have them repeated. We will bring Jesus message to all who will listen, but we will do it with sensitivity and reason, not at the point of a gun. For so much blood to have been spilled in the name of one who would not harm another even to save his own life is intolerable! Jesus refused to let his disciples harm the Roman Centurions that came to arrest him in the garden of Gethsemane knowing it would lead to his death. There will be no more blood spilled in his name. No new crusade across the stars, we will go as teachers and friends not zelots and hypocrites."
The Pope's speech had left many of the Cardinals shamefaced but Cardinal Adrical still glared defiantly.
"Come the faithful will need guidance." The Pope said moving towards the balcony. "And Cardinal Adrical? Your resignation is accepted."
As the Pope stepped out onto the balcony to address the faithful in St Peters Square and around the world he offered up a silent prayer of thanks to God that none of his predecessors had ever ruled on the existence of alien life.
"My humble Christian brethren today is a joyous day. Today we learn more of God's infinite creation, the Lord God loves diversity and his creation is simply to vast for other intelligent life not to exist. At last the existence of our friends among the stars is confirmed and soon we shall go forth as brothers and sisters of Christ to peacefully spread the world of the Lord to the stars. Pray with me."
As the Pope began the most important mass of his life the true spirit of Christianity, love, peace and hope was revealed to the galaxy. A galaxy that was willing to listen.
BBC
In shocking news the Pope has declared that alien life does indeed exist. He has also ruled out a new Crusade stating that this time Christ's message will be spread in the manner that he himself spread it, peacefully and with understanding and compassion.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York have both issued similar sermons to the faithful of the Church of England throwing the Anglican's weight behind the Pope's message of the non violent spreading of Christ's world.
In Jerusalem leading Jewish rabbi's have also signalled their acceptance of alien life and the commitment of the Jewish people to peaceful teaching.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey have begun to preach similar themes in mosques throughout their countries showing a willingness and acceptance that most do not associate with Islam due to the actions of a radical few.
The confirming of alien life has done much to calm the fears of the faithful who now look to the leaders of their religions for guidance and answers to their questions with calm hearts and open minds as their holy books teach.
The unprecedented commitment of peaceful teaching from the worlds three major religions has come as a great relief to the secular who feared calls of Crusade and Jihad would drown the stars in blood.
For too long these religions have been defined by their extremists. Now, at last, the compassionate and tolerant mainstream has come to the fore once more.
We here at the BBC welcome the change for in the coming months the extremists are no doubt going to be causing a lot of trouble and tension in an attempt to ignite religious war. All of us will remember this day when the three major religions said we have learned from our passed mistakes and the sword shall be the province of the twisted and the hate filled only.
By whatever name you know him by God must surely be smiling on his children today.
SGC, United States of America – Earth
The Reverend Butler had a hard time keeping a straight face at the looks he was getting as he walked through the corridors of the secret military base that he had no idea of the purpose of.
Still chuckling the Sgt. who had brought him down from the surface showed him into the base commanders office.
"Don! Great to see you! Come in and suit down." His twin George Hammond greeted him.
Having been thrown out of the family home for going into the church rather than the military Don Hammond had changed his name to Don Butler to sever his connections with his long dead father. He was still very close with his brother though.
"George how do you stand it down here?" Don asked accepting his brother's hug before sitting down. "I got claustrophobic after the first floor."
General Hammond snorted before passing his brother a drink and sitting down himself. "You've seen what's going on Don?"
"George I'm not a hermit, of course I've seen what's going on! What do you want?"
"What makes you think I want anything."
"We are having a clandestine meeting in a top secret military base that I'm not supposed to know about."
"Fair point." General Hammond allowed. He leaned back into his chair before continuing.
"The religious right is going to split Don."
"I don't think it's that serious George, sure it's going to be crazy for a while but…"
"Don. This is just the beginning." General Hammond bluntly cut across his brother.
Reverend Butler sank into his chair.
"How bad?" He asked knowing his brother couldn't tell him any specifics.
"You've got some serious thinking to do because the ones who don't move at least a tiny bit to the left are going to be regarded as the new KKK."
"Your not serious? You want us to start killing babies and letting gay's marry?"
"I'm asking you to do as the bible says, if you want to continue your political career."
"The bible?"
"Do not judge."
The White House, Washington DC – Earth
"Good afternoon Reverend." President Bartlett greeted as the Reverend Aldwin was showed into the oval office.
"Mr President." Reverend Al Caldwell replied as he looked distractedly at the TV where the woman who had been at his side in every white house meeting was screaming at the crowd about how God's true word needed to be spread not the corrupted liberal filth that said it was alright to kill babies and commit the abomination that was homosexuality.
"Rather shrill isn't she." President Bartlett commented turning down the volume so that Mary Marsh's hate filled rant could no longer be heard.
Mary and another televangelist had always accompanied Reverend Caldwell to the White House because he felt he needed their support. However the right wing Reverend was the only one who respected the Bartlett administration and was respected in return.
"I take it you want me to lead as many of the religious right away from Mary Marsh and Senator Kinsey as possible Mr President?" Reverend Caldwell asked.
"Absolutely." President Bartlett replied.
"I won't compromise my beliefs."
"Have we ever asked you to?"
"Your asking now."
"I'm asking you to calm people down and commit to stopping hate crimes both physical and verbal. When spreading the world of someone who welcomed Romans and Tax collectors and deplored violence in all its forms how can that comprise your beliefs?"
CNN
The Religious Right has begun to fracture today as two of its most prominent and respected leaders, the Reverend Butler and the Reverend Caldwell, have called for calm and acceptance just as the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury have before them.
Whilst others such as Mary Marsh and Robert Kinsey continue to preach American Christian manifest destiny the two Reverends have called on American Christians to accept our new place in the galaxy with strength and humility.
They have also pledged to continue to fight for what they believe in such as a ban on abortion and gay marriage but in a radical move they have promised to do so only in reasonable debate with no verbal or physical abuse. There will be no charges of baby killers, no calls of faggot and no gay bashings in their new wing of Christianity.
Both have already been condemned by the more extreme Christians as selling out and destroying gods message for their own personal gain.
Protests both for and against have been occurring throughout the US all day.
In a move designed to bolster support both Reverends have been invited to meet the Pope in Vatican City and the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. This marks the first time that leaders of the American right wing Christians have been granted such an invitation and the majority of Christians are overjoyed that the Reverends miniscule shift to the left has been met with such a response, perhaps it is a sign that the deep schisms within our faith may one day be healed.
Bible thumping extremists continue flock to the decreasing right wing giving it a great boost. It appears that the hate filled false Christians that spew their poison and bigotry from behind a cloak of religion will not be going down any easier than their Islamic counterparts.
We can only hope the damage they do to Earth's reputation can be limited.
BBC
Further revelations are made from the alien star ship today as its computers finally give up their secrets…
In an interesting side note The English Monarch is not allowed in the House of Commons so only the House of Lords has a throne. Also when summoned to the Lords for addresses by the Monarch, typically only the Queens speech nowadays, the MP's attend only after slamming the door in the messengers face as a symbol of the power of Parliament to defy the Monarch. An MP is also held 'hostage' in Buckingham Palace to ensure the Monarch's safe return. This hostility comes from Charles I entering the House of Commons to arrest his worst critics which triggered a crisis that lead to the Civil War, the defeat and execution of the King and the creation of the Republic of England.
House of Lords Throne in Google is best to see the British Throne.
* Ice Station is the R&D lab complex that replaced Area 51
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