++++I want to thank you all for the amazing response to the last chapter. I wasn't sure how it would be accepted, but you all made me feel great! My apologies for the length of the speech also. More chapters are on the way soon. In the meantime you should read StargateFFWriter's Tauri Furling series of stories. Have a great weekend everyone!++++
Earth
It started as a feeling; gnawing almost imperceptibly at the edge of the conscious mind. That feeling soon morphed into an idea and an ideal, one the Ark's message made impossible to stamp out or eradicate had anyone known it was there. Taking shape, this idea grew, and became fully formed and understood. If a single idea can build cities, then a shared ideal could change the reality of the world for many billions. This idea began to transform the world, and rewrite the rules many had taken as gospel for decades. Deciding that one must not be afraid to dream a bigger dream, people began to act.
It started with students. Those who dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and learning clawed at the new concept of liberty the Ark had implanted within them. These students, with a brazen determination reserved for the young began to speak among themselves of this grand idea. Timid at first, these students soon began to cluster together in ever larger numbers. Thanks to the World Wide Web, their thoughts and motivations were soon shared in other corners of the globe. Their aims were simple in the eyes of many, but far from simple in execution. Free will and liberty for all men, that was what they hungered for, lusted after.
At the University of Tehran, students gathered in their dormitories. After a life of repression under the tyrannical rule of the Mullah's, the students were prepared to seize the destiny they felt intended for them. Reaching out to friends, family members, and other believers, this mass of humanity set out down Edward Browne Street leading away from the University. Gathering followers and momentum, this gaggle of people found their way towards Azadi Square, home to the Azadi or Freedom Tower. Before the government could respond with force, the gathering reached a critical mass. Men and women, young and old, flowed into the streets from the central point of Azadi Square.
Caught unaware, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard could do little to prevent this sea of bodies from crashing into the governmental buildings of the Iranian Regime. Members of the standing military along with members of the Revolutionary Guard soon found themselves standing beside their brothers and sisters in this quest for liberty. Many small skirmishes would be fought before the day and night were over. The students would not be deterred in the face of violence. Taking its first unsure steps, freedom began to take hold in the former totalitarian regime.
To the northwest of Beijing, in the Haidian district, students of the prestigious Tsinghua University were amassing with their fellow students and academics from the neighboring Peking University. The students of these two universities represented the cream of the academic crop of the Peoples Republic of China. Many communist party members counted themselves as graduates, and their children were among the growing throng of dissenters. Tired of a ruling party that was long on rhetoric and promise but short on delivery, the mass of people decided to follow in the footsteps of those cut down during the Tiananmen Square revolt of June 4th, 1989. Then like now, students from the two universities had led the growing tide that called for change.
Much had changed since that uprising long ago. Technology would play a much larger role in this circumstance than was ever believed possible by the powers that be. Making use of instant messengers embedded in smart phones along with email, the word went out. In a city with a population of almost twenty million people, the wave of protestors swelled by means of its mass alone. In hours the collection of students had grown into a mass of eight hundred thousand individuals seeking one thing; free will.
The communist party apparatus became a victim of its own inertia. Bureaucrats, fearful of loosing face, were slow to pass on the message of the building tide of revolt. By the time word reached the Central Committee of the Communist Party, it was too late for the military to intercede. Students in peaceful protest surged into the governmental buildings of the Communist Party. As word spread across China of what was unfolding, similar scenes played out in other cities.
Before the day was out, the long sought after change was theirs. Not a coup d'état of force but of spirit was the undoing of the Communist leadership. Seeing the trend, lower level governmental functionaries quickly adapted to their new circumstance, falling in line with the throng of students. Military commanders followed shortly after. Not with a bang but a whimper, communism was at an end in the People's Republic.
November Site
Deep within the confines of the joint Asgard/Tauri off facility, in hangers far below the surface, Asgard technicians prepared craft for transport. Five of the remaining seven captured Lucian Alliance Ha'tak class mothership's were undergoing the most basic of repairs. Their power cores irreparably damaged during the battle of the super gate, the temporarily added power generators would allow for the antigravity drives to be brought online.
As power began to flow through the power conduits of the damaged vessels, the antigravity drives were powered up. Individually, the Ha'tak's rose from their cavernous subterranean confines, into the moons atmosphere. Once in orbit, the massive vessels were taken under tow by units of the Asgard Fleet.
Their end destination was Arkos Station. Once inside the station, the process of repairing the captured vessels would begin. Power cores identical to those destroyed would be installed, along with a full compliment of gliders. The orders were very clear that no technological upgrades would be passed on. These craft would be repaired to their original fully operational state, and nothing more.
Without the efforts of Ry'ac, none of this might have happened otherwise. Secreting himself to Earth, Ry'ac had briefed Generals O'Neill and Landry on the current challenges the Free Jaffa Nation faced. As a show of solidarity with their former allies, the Tauri was gifting a portion of the captured Ha'tak in their possession to the FJN civil war effort. It was hoped that these vessels would turn the tides of war in their favor.
As the first Daniel Jackson class science vessel leaped into hyperspace with a Ha'tak in tow, the hopes of a people rode with it. The Tauri had made possible the Jaffa's freedom from the clutches of false gods once before. Once again, they would attempt to bring peace to a people that resisted it at every opportunity.
Borealis
In the dining facility of the ancient city ship, a bit of a homecoming was happening. Doctor Rodney McKay along with his wife Doctor Jennifer Keller, Eli Wallace, Ginn, and others were enjoying a late lunch. Doctor Keller simply rolled her eyes as her husband and Eli continued a heated debate over the newly perfected Arcturus power generation system.
"You must really think you're smart" spat Rodney with a frown.
"Rodney" exclaimed a somewhat shocked Keller.
""Jealous much" asked Eli with a grin.
"Ok smart guy, why don't you explain how you got past the exotic particle problem" challenged Rodney.
"I think you'll find that Eli is very capable Doctor McKay" interjected Ginn in a wary tone.
"Now? We're having lunch McKay! Fine. The short of it is the exotic particles feed into the protective shield. It's a wave resonance issue. Can I eat my tatter tots now" asked Eli.
"What are you not telling me? The answer can't be that simple! Even Zelenka could have come up with that, and he didn't" objected Rodney.
"Neither did you, and that's in the report I read" replied Eli with a taunting smile.
"Ok boys, that's enough physics talk for one day. How about paying attention to the women at the table? Some of us are married to you after all" said Keller in a monotone, while looking at Rodney with a dull glare.
"Fine, but you're explaining this to me later mister" finished McKay.
"Are you excited about your transfer to Borealis Doctor Keller" asked Ginn.
"I really am. After months of requesting transfer from Atlantis to be with my husband, I can say I've never been happier. In many ways it's like I'm still on Atlantis" replied Keller.
"Just because they are both city shops does not make them the same" muttered Rodney.
"Does he always do this" asked Eli while pointing a thumb at McKay.
"You get used to it" answered Keller with a smile.
"This city is amazing. I never dreamed of such a place" said Ginn.
"Stick with me kid, I'm going places. Just ask McKay" said Eli with a laugh.
"We're married; you totally should be on my side for that one. He's starting it" whined McKay to Keller.
"He's kidding Rodney, now settle down" whispered Keller loudly.
"So are you heading back to the SGC" asked Rodney.
"Ginn and I are gating back to Earth just long enough to drop off the test data and visit my mom for the weekend. Then it's back to Vis Uban and working with Janus. This time I get to take her with me" said Eli with a broad smile.
"The SGC is in the habit of letting you take the woman in your life along with you to work now" asked Rodney smugly.
"They might be. Look who's sitting beside you" replied Eli.
"Rodney McKay, that's it. Maybe I'll sleep in my quarters tonight" hinted Keller.
"See what you did Wallace" whined Eli.
"Hey, don't blame me. Enjoy sleeping on the floor though" laughed Eli.
In stargate operations Daniel Jackson stood looking at a flat panel display screen. On the screen was a live video feed emanating from the active worm hole. After an hour long discussion with Janus, Daniel had deployed Lieutenant Scott's team to the gate address the scientist had provided. This video was a result of that deployment.
Displayed on the screen was unmistakably ancient architecture. Though the light in the video was low, the large room in the video appeared perfectly intact. In the distance Daniel noted two large sets of staircases. As the video panned to the left, a hallway that spanned into the distance was clearly seen.
"It looks like Janus wasn't kidding when he said he had a surprise for us" said Daniel more to himself than anyone.
"Borealis, this is Scott. The structure is intact, and life support is viable. We'll sweep the place for any security threats, but it might take some time. This place is huge" said Scott over the radio link.
"Ok Lieutenant, just be careful. Check back in three hours from now. In the meantime we'll be preparing additional teams to join you there. Borealis out" finished Jackson with a smile on his face.
Cheyenne Mountain, SGC
Seated in General Landry's office was the General, and Doctor Nicholas Rush. Recently arrived from Arkos and his beloved Destiny, Rush had been quickly escorted to Landry's office. Knowing little about the man other than what he read in the file on his desk, Landry found himself wishing for a nice peaceful retirement.
"Thank you for coming Doctor" said Landry warmly.
"May I ask what this is about General" asked Rush shortly.
"Destiny's redeployment through the super gate, but you already know that I'm sure" replied Landry.
"And just when is that going to happen" demanded Rush.
"All good things come in time Doctor. In case you've not noticed, we do have other priorities at the moment" countered Landry.
"Such as" asked Rush.
"We're in the middle of a war in the Pegasus galaxy Doctor. Once that situation is contained to everyone's liking, Destiny along with several of those vessels will proceed through the super gate. We have no intention of letting you face the drones alone" replied Landry.
"With the upgrades made recently to Destiny's systems, I'm confident we can handle the drone threat adequately" responded Rush.
"Because it's worked out so well in the past, right? We have other matters to attend to before Destiny deploys" suggested Landry.
"Which are what exactly" again demanded Rush.
"Young was right about you" said Landry with a smile.
"Colonel Young's opinion of me is beside the point" protested Rush.
"When you depart, you will be carrying a team of ten human form replicators with you" informed Landry.
"Why would anyone think that is a good idea" demanded Rush.
"They will be onboard to affect any repairs as needed should damage arise" answered Landry.
"Myself and the science team are more than capable of handling that on our own" protested Rush.
"Right. You did so well at that the first time, didn't you? If I remember correctly, we had to send the Athena halfway into the unknown to handle what you are so clearly capable of handling. Spare me the attitude Doctor" said Landry dryly.
"Point taken" replied Rush quickly.
"Doctor, let me be clear. You are not my first choice for this assignment. Were it not for the recommendation of Colonel Young stating that you were the single most qualified person for this mission, you would not be going. Now, moving on, please tell me where we stand with the upgrades to Destiny's systems" asked Landry.
"We're showing a thirtyfold increase in FTL drive speed and efficiency. Shield strength has been increased by a factor of eight. Sensor capabilities are now on par with the best the ancients or Asgard ever produced. The rest is merely window dressing" answered Rush.
"Disclosure of the program has opened up a wider field of candidates for the expedition. Yourself and Colonel Davidson will be going over the dossiers of potential candidates we send. The sky is the limit as far as who you decide on. My suggestion is pick the ones you can get along with" said Landry with a grin.
Teotihuacan, Mexico
The city of Teotihuacan had long been a mystery to archeologists. Containing immense pyramids and temples, the city showed signs of organization and engineering rarely found in Mesoamerica. After several thousand years of abandonment by its builders, Teotihuacan was once again bustling with activity. From a distance, groups of individuals could be seen ascending the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of Moon. Along the Avenue of the Dead, crates appeared, and were quickly moved to other locations. After eons of neglect, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl was slowly being restored to its previous glory.
This site, like Puma Punku in modern day Bolivia, and Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, had been built by the Furlings. Long ago, in a time before the Goa'uld dominance of the Milky Way came to be, the Furling had resided here and nurtured man. After Ra came to rule the Earth, the Furling had provided safe harbor to those within their grasp. Intimidated by the powerful Furling, Ra did little to stand in their way for fear of starting a war that might be unwinnable.
To further prepare mankind for their role as the Fifth Race, and to nurture a vulnerable public newly learned of the reality that faced them, the Furlings had returned. Restoring their cities and site of learning to their former pristine glory, the Furling were intent on educating and enlightening man. Long ago the Furlings had embarked on this path with the Toltec and Mayan people. This time they intended to walk the path with mankind as a whole.
Any who sought answers or knowledge were welcome. To the Furling, knowledge brought harmony, and harmony brought prosperity and happiness. These values would be passed on to the young Fifth Race they had watched over in its infancy. During this fragile transition to imminence on the universal stage, mankind would have a guide to watch over them.
Shambhala
Construction of the megacity of Shambhala continued at a frightening pace. In anticipation of the first arrivals of a large contingent of residents from Earth, further numbers of human form replicators had been created and transported from Atlantis. After consultation with the other Great Races, a design addition was being added.
In the northeast corner of the city just taking beginning to take shape, a structure unlike any other in the known universe would be built. This structure, while intimidating in size would serve as the jumping off point for an even more intimidating goal. On Earth, the United Nations headquarters building served as the meeting place of all nations and as a safe harbor for diplomacy. That concept would be put to work again, only on a much grander scale.
The Alliance of Great Races over the course of its existence had made contact with many races in many galaxies. Lessons learned from the subjugation of both Pegasus and the Milky Way would be put to use. Delegations of all planets within the Milky Way, Pegasus, Ida, Alterran home galaxy, and Andromeda would be invited. This intergalactic diplomatic endeavor would serve to safeguard the combined races of the five galaxies through humanitarian aid and military might. Never before had such a feat been attempted or considered. If this pan universal diplomatic effort bore fruit, the races of the five galaxies would stand somewhat united instead of divided. Races both friendly and unfriendly would be welcome. From the Athosian's to the Gadmeer and the Hebridanians to the Sekkari, all would be greeted with open arms as equals.
Elsewhere, in the main administrative tower, an uncomfortable gathering was beginning. Due to intensive forensic computer analysis, the records and those that deletion was attempted upon had finally been recovered from the Tollan database. This made possible the expected and awaited Triad of Chancellor Travell. Among the Tollan people divisions and rifts had formed over the act of leveling charges against the sitting Chancellor.
Under the age old system of Triad, the two opposing parties known as Seekers are each defended by an Archon of their choice. Realizing that each Seekers Archon will vote in their favor, a third entirely neutral Archon is included. The Seekers argue their case until the Archons conclude their case and are ready for a decision. From there, each of the three Archons cast a vote for their seeker of choice leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of the third neutral Archon.
Chosen by Chancellor Travell as her Archon was Otomi, former Curia administrator. The Archon representing the Tollan people was Freyr of the Asgard. As the neutral Archon was Ohper, one of the very oldest and wisest of the Nox. Coming to order, the woman overseeing the Triad, Nahua, called everyone to order.
"I now call this Triad to session. We stand here today to bring resolution to the following accusations against Chancellor Travell. One; that at your direction records of the Curia while in session were willfully altered and or destroyed. Two; that at your direction murder was committed of a fellow Curia member in the person of Councilor Omoc. Three; that you did either alone or in concert with others enter into league with the Goa'uld known as Tannith with the intent to provide technology to a less advanced race. Four; that you conspired to share weapons technology with the then less advanced Tauri in trade for material resources. Five; at your direction a weapon was prepared for use against the Tauri despite the existence of diplomatic relations between our two peoples. Six; due to your actions while acting in concert with the Goa'uld you did endanger the Tollan people, and nearly bring about the extinction of our culture while also aiding in the destruction of the home world Tollana. I ask now that the Archons refrain from commenting outside of their appointed time to do so. Archon for Chancellor Travell, I give you the floor" said Nahua.
"I stand in defense of Chancellor Travell. One cannot attain the rank of Chancellor without the highest of moral fortitude and adherence to our laws. One of our highest laws is public disclosure without alteration of all transcripts of gatherings of the Curia. I postulate that these supposed Curia records that were altered and or destroyed had nothing to do with the Chancellor. As deleted record recovery is not possible with our computer technology, we can neither confirm nor negate these accusations in effect rendering them moot. Were we able to recover these records I believe it would be easily proven that this situation was one of Omoc's making and design. This, in combination with his suicide would ensure the downfall of the Chancellor" said Otomi.
"I wish to point out that with the aid of Asgard technology, the deleted records were recovered. After careful examination of the events surrounding these records we have found that the personal computer codes of Chancellor Travell were the authorizing party to this deletion. May I point out that the technological superiority of Asgard technology is without question far more advanced than that of the Tollan? Was this a conspiracy of Omoc's design, why would he lodge a formal protest following the Curia meeting the deleted transcript covers? Furthermore, a conspiracy to discredit another of similar political standing at a cost of ones own life is frivolous fancy of a deranged mind" countered Freyr.
"Our society, as it stood previous to Tollana's destruction was one of security and monitoring. Our health monitoring systems were time and again found to be without fault. Each Tollan carries a health implant that alerts medical services in the event of an emergency. That Omoc's implant alerted medical services and they failed to arrive in time is not murder by any means, but instead the fault of medical staff failing in their duties which led to a tragic end to a well respected man" said Otomi.
"Again I go back to the analysis of data from the Tollan computer core. Within the security systems management partition it was discovered that an emergency lock down protocol was initiated twenty seconds after Councilor Omoc's health implant signaled an alert to your medical services section. The protocol was initiated with the Chancellors computer security authorization code. With this protocol activated, the blame cannot be laid at the feet of medical personnel and labeled incompetence. Nor can this be labeled an act of conspiracy at the hands of Omoc, as his vital signs had ceased seconds before this protocol was activated" stated Freyr.
"This is an outrage! I refuse to sit here and be demeaned in such a manner! I demand a recess" shrieked Travell while bolting to her feet.
Without a further word Travell stormed out of the room and towards her quarters. How dare they speak to me in such a manner was the thought that raced through her mind. Her rage boiled over as she felt the hot burn of tears streaking down her face. In the corridor Camille Wray and Elizabeth Weir watched as the Chancellor raced past them.
"That doesn't look good at all" said Wray cautiously.
"When I was at the UN we called that the death spiral" conceded Weir.
"Can it really be that bad in there" asked Wray.
"Off the record, from what I've heard she's already dead and buried. This isn't wild west justice with a hanging judge, but its close" admitted Weir.
"And from what I was told by General O'Neill, hanging would be letting her off easy. Most of her own people blame her for what happened to them. Honestly, I'm half surprised they haven't lynched her yet" said Wray.
"Let's hope things stay that way" sighed Weir.
Exiting the transporter booth, Travell wordlessly raced past those in the hall between her and her quarters. Many of the faces she saw before her did not belong in this corridor, so they must just be gawking at her expense she thought. I do belong here; quarters at this height in the tower were for the Tollan ruling elite she smiled inwardly.
Entering her quarters, Travell was overcome with deafening rage as well as guilt and heartbreak. The flurry of emotions was overwhelming. One second she wanted to sob, while the next she wanted to break everything in site. In short, Travell came completely unhinged emotionally. This catastrophic break with reality obliterated the last shred of rational thought she was able to produce. In a fit of tears, Travell crumpled to the floor. Gasping for breath as she sobbed, her body was wracked with pain.
"This isn't what happens to people of my station" she screamed into the air.
Her tears continued unabated for many moments, before settling down. Instead of finding calm, all that was in Travell's reach was an icy, bone chilling cold. A coldness of heart, a coldness of thought, and a numb lack of afterthought was all she could muster. Raising herself from the cold floor, she looked toward the ornate stained glass windows that separated her from her balcony. The light shone though in beautiful patterns. Perhaps, the warmth of the sun on her face would change everything.
Stumbling towards the balcony, she barely registered the automated door sliding open once it sensed her nearing. Walking out onto the balcony, the sun warmed her face but nothing more. Finally, she realized her age, and the amount of emotional and physical trauma her body had experienced in the last few years. Her world destroyed, her standing among her people ruined, and even her honor taken from her.
"It would be so easy" she whispered in a voice that silently trailed off
Climbing the balcony railing, Travell looked towards the vibrant blue sky. Taking in the clouds, the sun, and the elegant cityscape around her, Travell smiled one last heartfelt smile. Shifting her weight almost imperceptibly, she fell from the balcony. Looking down as she fell from the one hundredth floor of her tower, she closed her eyes. With the smile still on her face she silently plummeted. Seconds later, it was over and she finally knew an end to her pain.
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