~Dining Hall, Destiny~
As the large group of humans, a Jaffa, and the magical humans were eating their meals, Lady Destiny was processing several hundred permutations related to the upcoming jump to the next galaxy. After her substantial processing power had factored in all the new variables, such as Ms. Johansen's yet unknown pregnancy, the AI was finding it difficult to provide a safe plan to keep the crew and newcomers safe for the journey. The food supply was one of her concerns, as it could not truly last long enough to feed them all for the trip. Second on her list of priorities to solve was the power needed to keep the shields active at the right strength to survive the journey to the next galaxy. The initial estimate of 5 years and change would not work. If food was not a concern, the trip would have to be lengthened to almost 25 years to leave enough power to keep the shields active. Without those shields, the ship and its occupants would be in danger of being exposed to harsh cosmic rays and other phenomenon, and that was not counting possible damage to the ship, should the shields fail. The third concern the AI had to process was the life support systems. There simply was not enough of the filtering material on board to prevent a lethal buildup of CO2. The formula for the material was locked in her database, and without the correct override sequence, she could not disclose it to anyone on board.
Her calculations finished, for now, she appeared to the group.
"May I have your attention please? I have finished calculations of the jump to the next galaxy, and there are some issues that cannot be ignored." Lady Destiny spoke, addressing Albus, Harry, Hermione, and the rest of the people in the dining hall.
"What conclusions have you reached Lady Destiny?" Albus asked.
"I have processed the additional people who came aboard a few hours ago, and there are now problems with the survival coefficient of the trip. In order to fully protect the crew and Destiny, the trip to the next galaxy would have to be lengthened to approximately 25 years, 10 months. That is the minimum it would take to leave enough power to keep the shields active for the journey. Secondary concerns arose from my calculations, in the matter of the life support systems. The filtering agent, which has a formula locked in my database, is not present in sufficient quantity to last that long for the number of people who would be producing CO2. My estimate is the life support system would fail within 11 years of the journey, should everyone aboard remain dependent on it. The third concern I have, is the food supply. Despite the amount of actual food Dobby prepared prior to Harry and Hermione being sent here by the spell left by Merlin of your reality, I do not believe there is enough to be duplicated through Gamp's Laws on Transfiguration to feed the entire group for the 25 years it would take to complete the journey. Power cells are currently able to hold only 43% of the original designed capacity, and I have not discovered any planet in the corridor of flight Destiny is on that has materials needed to repair them."
While this was spoken in a calm, even tone, many in the room could not fathom going on such a long journey.
"What if we could get a clean sample of that filtering agent, would there be any kind of magic that could duplicate it?" Colonel Carter asked.
"Regrettably, I do not believe it would work. Duplicating chemicals or substances that have a complex formula is not something that can be done on a whim. I would need several months to study and analyze the material to determine how to duplicate it. From my limited understanding of non-magical sciences, carbon dioxide filtering is not easy. While there are charms to Vanish the expelled gas humans breathe out, it would be a constant struggle on Harry, Hermione, or myself. Each of us would have to cast the charm on a regular basis, every few hours. Multiply that by 25 years, and there is a chance that one of us would succumb to Magical Exhaustion, something that would be very bad for myself, due to my age, less so with Harry or Hermione. As for food, Lady Destiny is correct. The real food that Dobby prepared prior to me asking him to set up enough for two teenagers to have enough for a few years would not be able to be stretched that long for such a large group. Gamp's Law on Transfiguration, regarding food, has some limits." Albus answered.
"What limits are there? Can you explain more?" Dr. Rush asked.
"Certainly. Food duplicated by a Wizard or a Witch, or even a House-Elf, has to use energy. In all cases, the energy comes from the person or Elf that duplicates the food. If the food is consumed by the same person, they will not get as many nutrients or calories as if they were eating the same real food. The obverse is different. If someone were to duplicate food that is meant to be consumed by another, then that other person would have a full meal, and not miss any of the nutrients. Over enough time, the original meal or food items duplicated lose their base Transfiguration Potential. I believe an appropriate analogy is a Xerox. If you copy something and then try to copy from a copy, eventually, you will get diminishing returns." Albus answered again.
"So that would mean that eventually we'll run out of real food to duplicate, and without a way to grow more plants and other non animal products, we will starve?" Hermione reasoned.
"There are some ways to prevent it. In fact, one of the books left in the Vault Merlin had at Gringotts was rather interesting. I perused it briefly before I summoned you and Harry to my office back on your birthday Hermione. It would not have been possible to use it if I sent it along with the other books, as the final condition could not be performed with just Harry and you."
"What final condition would that be Albus?" Harry asked. In the few days that he had been reunited with two of his favorite students, Albus Dumbledore had requested they use his first name, as they had earned it, he felt.
"Well, to fully understand the condition, one must know why it is in the book, and what the book is meant for." Albus had hoped that it would be possible with some of the new arrivals, though was skeptical that they would accept the outcome.
"I think it would be fair to say we all would like to know what this book has, and what it is for." General O'Neill said.
"Very well then. Unlike other magical textbooks or journals, this one was made my Merlin, though the time he made it was not listed, nor could I find out in the time since I've had it out of the vault to study it. While I was on that barren planet before Harry and Hermione found me, I read through it and compared the process described to everything I have ever studied about the many forms of magic. The math, or arithmancy as we magicals call it, is sound. I should know as I had access to hundreds of tomes covering it.
"It is a guide to create an artificial habitat. There are several steps involved, and thankfully, there should be enough time to complete it before Destiny's autopilot takes us to a new galaxy. Also, there are, through a rather large number of space expansion charms, thousands of specimens of plants and animals from our world preserved in a magically shrunken form that can be used to help provide both food and potions ingredients, should we need to brew anything once our own supply runs out.
"The process has several parts to it. First, the size of the outer walls has to be chosen, as it will affect the total size of the habitat. Ideally, having all six panels be seven feet by seven feet will provide the most space, though we could get by with panels that are five and one half foot by five and one half foot. Their thickness would have to be no more than five inches. Runes would be carved and then charged with magic from Harry, Hermione, and I. A Patronus would be best, as it will do the most good for the Runes.
"There is also a potion that would need to be brewed, and the ingredients are present in flasks that have been preserved with charms. That potion would be used in two parts: first in absorbing the 'blessing' from two individuals, the second in coating the interior of all six panels that form the outer enclosure of the habitat.
"The final step would be something that only Harry and Hermione can do, sadly. I do not possess the ability as I don't have a partner here who can do magic." Albus finished his explanation, though it was not complete.
"What do you mean when you say that potion would absorb the blessing from two individuals?" Dr. Keller asked.
"Two Virgin Souls, consummating their Love for each other, while the potion is equally split and temporarily absorbed into their chests, while two magicals circle around and perform a chant. There are some further stipulations on that part; though I can go into more detail should there be two among all those that came from Icarus Base that meet those conditions." Albus responded.
"Virgin Souls? Are you talking about Sex Magic?" Senator Armstrong asked.
"In a way, yes. The act of two Virgin Souls celebrating their Love for each other is commonly used to power many Light based rituals. The one in Merlin's book is arguably the most detailed I've ever read about, and there are thousands that have been written about and discovered on our world. I assure you Mr. Armstrong I would not suggest this course lightly. According to Lady Destiny, we face a dilemma. There is not enough time for me to truly study the substance that filters carbon dioxide from the ship's atmosphere, nor is there enough actual food to last such a long journey, should it come to that. If we can help reduce the strain on the environmental systems that are aboard this ship, would that not be a good thing for all?"
"Albus Dumbledore is correct. While I have not had enough time to make a detailed scan of his belongings, the book in question does register as having more mass than it should, given the size of the tome. If the life support systems did not have to provide oxygen for over 130 people for the trip, the power saved could reduce the journey to a little over four years." Lady Destiny provided, after calculating what power could be saved if the people aboard were not dependent on her life support systems.
"And just how big would the inside of this habitat be? I can sort of understand the concept of space expansion charms, as we've come across a kind of technology that has a pocket dimension of subspace, but a cube seven feet on all sides with each panel being five inches thick would not be a lot of space for two people, let alone all of us. Can you explain that Mr. Dumbledore?" This was McKay, who, after being an ass for a while, thanks to the spell work Hermione had placed and Jennifer Keller's words, was trying to be more accepting of the seemingly impossible.
"Ah! I thank you Dr. McKay, I had not gone into that part of this ritual. According to the book, and the arithmancy, the total size of the habitat would be equal to the interior cubic volume of the outer panels, taken to the power of seven. I believe that would be plenty of space for all of us."
Meanwhile, two beings were dumbfounded. Well, one really, the other was an AI and her processing power could not come up with the logical explanation to such a statement.
"You are talking about creating a planet! That can't be possible with some carvings and special paint, with a few magic words! Pull the other one!" Dr. Rush scoffed.
"I assure you Dr. Rush, I am not speaking in jest. Through the power of the Runes, the potion, the blessing of two Virgin Souls, and the ritual chanting Harry and Hermione would perform, the Habitat indeed can be created. Magic is as real as you are. Just because you haven't learned enough science to do something similar, doesn't mean that it would not work for us."
"Professor Dumbledore, what can be placed in this habitat? Does that book provide options on configurations, like farm land, or forests, and the like?" Daniel Jackson asked.
"All of the layout can be mapped in advance, and there are some ideas I have as to incorporating some of the larger animals presently stored in shrunken stasis jars in the book."
"What, like unicorns, winged horses, or other kinds of mythological life?"
"Both unicorns and Abraxans are present in the book, in addition to Sphinx, Griffins, owls, phoenix, dragons,-"
"Wait, Dragons are real for your world? Are they used for potions or other rituals?" Eli Wallace interrupted.
"Primarily potions ingredients and wands Mr. Wallace; while they can be dangerous on their own, there are ways to keep them from an area by means of wards and other charms. Their blood is quite useful, in addition to parts of their hearts, should one die of natural causes. Taking a dragon down is not easy. If the benefits outweigh the cons to having dragons as part of the habitat, then between Harry, Hermione, and I, we can handle them."
"Albus, I hope there aren't any Basilisks in that book. I would likely be the only one here who could control one." Harry said, concerned about what could happen if a Class XXXXX beast were to be loosed on so many people.
"No Harry, there aren't any Basilisks in Merlin's book, though the animals that a Basilisk egg can be formed from are. I doubt we would need to hatch one. If such a need arises, we can discuss it then.
"What is a Basilisk?" Vala Mal Doran asked.
"Historically, it was a mythical snake that could kill with its eyes. Though many legends say it was able to be killed with the crowing of a rooster, or seeing its reflection in a mirror." Dr. Jackson replied.
"Dr. Jackson, your knowledge of things that are real in our world is truly impressive. A Basilisk is indeed a real Beast that we have in our world. The last one to be known of was the one that Harry killed in his second year of school. It was about 50 feet long, correct Harry?"
"Yes. If it weren't for Fawkes, I wouldn't have been able to survive that day."
"50 feet long? What did Fawkes do?" Lt. Johansen asked. Said phoenix still had not left her shoulder.
"Oh, he destroyed the eyes so I wouldn't die from the glare. I ended up pulling a sword out of the Sorting Hat and killed the snake with it."
"Well, perhaps we shouldn't include the animals it takes to hatch a Basilisk then?" Colonel Carter asked.
"Well, we wouldn't have chicken on the menu if that were the case." Hermione answered.
"How does a snake get bred from a chicken?" McKay asked.
"Dark Magic." Hermione answered.
Fawkes, while he was resting on the shoulder of Lt. Tamara Johansen, decided to do something that he felt was truly necessary. In a flash of fire that everyone could see, he transported Lt. Johansen and himself to another plane of existence.
"What did Fawkes do just now?" General O'Neill and Colonel Young both asked at the same time.
"Ah, the mysteries of a Phoenix! I truly can say that he will not harm her. He had a reason for keeping her company once he landed on her shoulder. In time, I am confident he will return her to us." Albus answered. In his mind, theories had begun to form, though he would not voice them for now.
"If she isn't brought back safely, you and I are going to have a problem!" O'Neill barked.
"I give you my word, she will not be harmed. I have known Fawkes for over 50 years, and I trust him with my life. Now, there is a spell that can be used to identify compatible Virgin Souls among a group of people. Would anyone object to me casting it?"
"What does it do, create a list of names or something?" Dale Volker asked.
"No, it causes a distinct type of aura to appear on any individual that meets the criteria for a Virgin Soul." Albus replied.
"How distinct?" Cam Mitchell asked.
"Bright Pink for any person who has never been in an intimate encounter with a loved one, bright Blue for those that have not been intimate for over 7 years, and bright Gold if they would best serve the ritual." Dumbledore answered. Some in the room figured at best, they'd glow Blue.
"I doubt many of us would glow blue or pink, many of us have been married or had partners in our youth. Though there may be some that would glow." Dr. Keller said. Personally, while magic was strange enough for her to comprehend, she knew that neither she nor Meredith Rodney McKay would glow at all. They had been quite cozy lately, despite the tendency for McKay to act like an ass. Crazy that he became a literal one for a little while.
"If there are two individuals who glow Gold, naturally, it would be best for them to be the ones that help with the ritual. They would not be obligated of course. As long as both parties are willing, a Blue and a Pink glow, or two Pinks, or two Blues, if they are opposite genders, would satisfy the ritual. While the possibility of two people glowing Gold among you is rare, if it happens, I want to stress that if there are others who glow either Blue or Pink, I would only go forward with the ritual if both parties were willing to participate."
After a few minutes to discuss it, everyone in the room felt that their best chance would be to allow the spell to be cast. It wasn't like they could prevent Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore from casting the magic.
"Are there any objections?" No one spoke against the spell from being cast. "Very well, I shall cast the spell. You may feel a slight tingling in your extremities, it will pass."
Using his wand, Albus Dumbledore cast the spell to identify Virgin Souls among the group. To the great surprise of many, there were indeed two people who had a Golden Glow to them. Some others, like Camille Wray, glowed a bright Pink, which she could not understand, having her partner Sharon at home, whom she missed dearly by now. Others, like Ronald Greer, didn't glow at all. Some, like Adam Brody glowed bright Blue. Lisa Park was also Pink. Many of the rest did not glow, though more than a handful were glowing either Blue or Pink.
~Other Place~
Lt. Tamara Johansen was what many would call a bright light amongst the darkest of lights. Her compassion and dedication to helping others was plain to see in her soul. She was truly someone that Fawkes felt a connection with. He had taken her to this other place, to cure her of a condition that would have seen her death in a few years. He also gifted her unborn daughter with magic. This wouldn't become known for some time.