Stargate Revealed
Winner 2006 Isis Award Jack/Other
Nominated 2006 Stargate Fan Awards: Best Series and Best Humor Story
by Livi2Jack
Summary: Aliens come to Earth and broadcast their search for their hero, Jack O'Neill. They reveal the secret of the Stargate in the most dramatic way. What do the aliens want? How does Earth react? What are the consequences? Jack is up to his neck in intrigue.
Rating: K, some swear words.
Featured Characters: Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, Sam Carter, Teal'c, Gen. Landry, Pres. Hayes, Hammond, Cam Mitchell
Pairing: Jack/Other
Category: Action/Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Humor, Point Of View
Season: SG-1 Season Nine +
Related SG-1 Episode(s): 409 Scorched Earth, 422 Exodus, 501 Enemies, 505 Red Sky, 601 Redemption, 606 Abyss, 611 Prometheus, 617 Disclosure, 703 Fragile Balance, 717 Heroes, Part 1, 718 Heroes, Part 2, 721 & 722 Lost City, 814 Full Alert, 817 Reckoning, Part 2, 818 Threads, 901 Avalon, Part 1, 902 Avalon, Part 2
Related Atlantis Episode(s): 101 Rising, Part 1, 201 The Siege, Part 3 Complete Stargate Revealed Series.
Feedback is requested.
DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis and their characters are the property of Sony Pictures/MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.
CHAPTER ONE: REVELATIONS
In August, even the bugs sweat in Washington, DC. Or so Major General Jack O'Neill thought as he dressed for work, tying his tie for the third time. He'd rather be wearing cotton BDU's. But, the hearing on the Hill this afternoon meant dress blues. Working at the Pentagon meant different battles to fight. And so, he struggled into his jacket and made his way to his new car in the apartment complex garage. He missed the truck. He missed his house. He missed the cool dry Colorado mountain air. He missed going off world. Yep, Washington in August sucked.
Traffic in Washington is the only thing worse than the weather. Commutes in the Washington metro area are described in the number of stoplights necessary to cross on the way to work. Real estate ads talk about convenience as "...only one stoplight to DC." Jack was 11 stoplights from the Pentagon, which meant a commute of 25 minutes, assuming no accidents. And of course, today had the usual tourist accident near the Memorial Bridge exit from the George Washington Parkway. So, Jack flipped on the radio for morning traffic info and hit the brakes, nearly rear ending the taxi in front of him. From the radio came the announcement, "...we come in peace, bearing greetings from the Star Commonwealth of Planets to Colonel Jack O'Neill, the Great of SG-1, Stargate Command of the United States Air Force, and to O'Neill's people of the Holy Mother Planet." Jack decided he was having a stroke.
The ringing of the cell phone brought Jack back to reality, along with all the honking as angry motorists tried to pass him. From the headset, Jack heard Hammond's voice telling him to get to the Pentagon A.S.A.P. Yeah, no kidding. And how was he to do that since traffic was already backing up as people heard the message repeated over and over on every dial and came to a standstill. Jack decided to jump the curb and cut over the grass giving up on defensive driving. He HAD to get to the office. Too bad he sold his motorcycle. Boy was he going to need an alignment job after this.
The guards at the gate were told to be on alert for his approach. He was whisked through the lot and in through the door in record time, even for a general. Aides were waiting at the entrance to brief him. Everyone in the building seemed to be gawking either at him or at something just outside the window. Major Davis arrived in a golf cart to get him to the office of the Air Force Chief of Staff. The endless corridors of the Pentagon would take forever to navigate and there was no time. The carrier sized alien craft was descending over the Pentagon.
"My Lady, we can not detect any planetary defenses. Our approach goes unchallenged and our hails unanswered. We have tried to contact them through the chappai, but to no avail," said Admiral Zay to his superior. Lady Anna was the Third Lord of the Admiralty and assigned specially for this diplomatic mission by the King himself.
"Launch the probes to see if we can determine if this is the correct planet," commanded the young woman. "Perhaps, we can analyze any broadcasts for their frequencies and make contact that way. At the very least, we can determine where the United States Air Force is, whatever that is."
"Launching probes, My Lady. We are detecting satellites in orbit along with considerable debris scattered in the upper limits of the atmosphere. They seem to possess some space flight capability but we do not detect any docking station...wait, there seems to be life signs detected from a small orbital container."
"Could it be an escape pod, Admiral?"
"I don't know, but it seems likely. Shall I initiate a rescue, My Lady?"
"Yes, it will show them our goodwill. And anyway, we can ask them where we are and put them back if they protest."
"Houston, we have a problem," exclaimed Yuri Danielovich from aboard the Space Station. "It's HUGE! THEY are huge. And we are in trouble...Houston, I say again, we have a Problem."
"Five minutes ago, the Space Station went dark after contacting Houston Mission Control to report identification of multiple enormous alien vessels," said Major Davis to Gen. O'Neill on the way to Gen. Jumper's office. "AF Satcom and the Deep Space Network show images we have never seen before. We are pretty sure it's not the Goa'uld or the Asgaard. The largest one is the size of Manhattan. And now, we have one hovering over the Pentagon in broad daylight. It's like something out of Independence Day, the movie a few years back."
"Yeah, I saw that one. So has anyone tried to upload a virus to the mother ship?" asked Jack.
"Actually, we've been working on just that for a few years now. But so far the attempt has not been authorized, since, mostly, they are calling for you on every channel of every media in every country all over the world. The Press is going nuts and the President is preparing a statement for the world. It's mass panic. People have just stopped doing whatever it was they were doing. Almost like the movie, The Day The Earth Stood Still."
"So, you watch old movies, Davis?" asked Jack. "The robot was cool."
"Who, who, are you?" asked Yuri Danielovich after finding himself definitely NOT on board the Space Station. He looked around at the room and the man offering a polite bow. Everyone was there, the whole crew of the Space Station.
"I am Commander Eli of the Star Commonwealth of Planets. You are aboard our base ship. We discerned your life signs in the escape pod. May we be of assistance?" The Commander scanned the shocked faces. "And, can you tell us if this is the planet of the Tau'ri? We are trying to contact Colonel Jack O'Neill, the Great of SG-1, United States Air Force." He held up an arm patch with the V sign and the number '1' in it. "But so far, we have had no response. We can't seem to match our com system to yours. Do any of you know which frequencies we should use?"
"Well, it looks like they found me," offered Jack to Gen. Jumper who was looking out the window. "Why don't they just use their freaky alien transporter and get it over with? How many of those are hovering around the planet anyway?"
"So far, just this one. The rest are still in orbit," said Gen. Jumper looking back at Jack. "The President is getting ready to make a statement. We have the ambassadors from our allies on the way to the White House to make a unified stance at the Press conference afterwards. I was hoping to know more before the President has to make his statement."
"Sirs, we are receiving a message from the aliens, on speaker." Major Davis punched the button.
"... respectfully request a meeting with His Honor General Jack O'Neill, the Great, to open a dialogue between our two great peoples. We wish to thank the crew of the Space Station for their assistance identifying how and where to find His Honor. We have returned them in peace to their dwelling, which we mistook for a stranded escape pod. Hovering above the offices of Our Lord O'Neill, Hero of the Battle of Vorash, is a small pinnace. On board are two emissaries of our people ready to greet His Honor. They come unarmed, carrying letters of introduction from our mutual friends, the Enkarans. We ask that our emissaries be received gently in the center courtyard of the Pentagon. We await your response on this channel."
"O'Neill, the Great, eh?" smirked Jack. Then catching himself, Jack added, "I like the 'Hero of the Battle of Vorash' was it? Nice touch. A little thick, but it is a nice touch." Looking around at the blank looks, he added, "... the one where we blew up that sun and took down that over-dressed, over the top, snakehead bad guy, Apophis." Jack paused, "So, um, word gets around, I guess." Everyone assembled started nodding at the gross understatement. "Well then," He fluffed the hair at the nape of his neck, "I guess we go outside to meet and greet?" He sighed. "It's just so dang hot out there."
"How did THIS happen? It's August. No one but a tourist comes to Washington, DC in August," lamented President Hayes. "What's that quote about mad dogs and tourists going out in the midday sun? In August, all the sane people leave. I was supposed to go on vacation next week." He looked out the window of the Oval Office. "I've heard of world famous, but THIS? The sonofabitch has a fan club across the Galaxy?" The President of the United States just stood there in shock, rocking back and forth in his stocking feet, looking out the window at the carrier sized alien ship hovering over the Pentagon, across the Potomac River. "How do I explain THIS?"
General Francis Maynard, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, regarded the President impassively. "Sir, you knew this secret could not be kept indefinitely. It's too big. Sooner or later, it was bound to come out. Granted, this is a bit more dramatic than we would have liked, but they haven't attacked anything...yet. We've sent people with the Ancient gene down to the chair in Antarctica, but our drone supply is nearly depleted. And we have sent teams to K'tau to contact the Asgaard for help."
"How's that going? Are they coming?" demanded the President. "You know they should install an Asgaard phone here in the White House. We are supposed to be allies. What if we could not establish an outgoing wormhole. It's happened before, you know. Make that a priority next time you talk to Thor." The bags under the President's eyes betrayed his strain after two years into his term. "I didn't sign up for this. I never wanted to represent the planet to the rest of the Galaxy. Have they met with O'Neill? And that phrase, 'The Holy Mother Planet' is not exactly reassuring."
The President was referring to the alien's communiqué broadcast repeating over every channel, in every media, in every country, in many languages, all over the world that hot August morning. "...We come in peace, bearing greetings from the Star Commonwealth of Planets to Colonel Jack O'Neill, the Great of SG-1, Stargate Command of the United States Air Force, and to O'Neill's people of the Holy Mother Planet." The President sighed and gave a lopsided grin at his general, " Sheesh, talk about high drama out of a B movie from 50 years ago. Ok, I have a press conference in 5 minutes, where's my speech? KAREN!" The president's press secretary came in running.
"We haven't been able to contact the Asgaard this trip. They aren't answering their phone," replied the General. "We are on our own, for now."
The president's face fell. "Not what I wanted to hear, Francis."
"This just keeps getting better and better," hissed Jack, standing in the hot wet August midday. "My shirt is soaked through. Hope they know about deodorant."
"I wonder if they have arms," replied Major Davis, wiping sweat from his brow.
"I thought they said they would be right down. What is keeping them? Or maybe they think this is funny. Make the Earthlings sweat, literally," complained Jack. "Ok, they should know that this heat is not improving my sunny disposition." Jack watched one of the SF's in full gear keel over from the heat. "Aw, crap." And at that moment a buzzing whine announced the transport of the aliens. And simultaneously, all the gun bolts slammed and barrels were raised in anticipation towards the light.
Kendall Cross slammed the phone down in exasperation. How dare they try to delay her story? They promised to let her break the story! The Air Force had promised her an exclusive in exchange for her silence over the Prometheus incident. She had kept her bargain and they had better keep theirs. Well, CNN executives would just have to let her go with what she had. "Katie, get Steve, NOW!" barked Kendall. "I want a camera team, two vans, and access to the Pentagon, and no excuses!" The floor of the CNB Washington News Room was in a state of high tension. This was the biggest story, well, Ever! And Kendall had the rights to break the story, first!
"Are you sure you know what you are doing?" asked Steve Rosen, executive producer of the morning shift at the Washington bureau. "I mean, you've been sitting on this without telling me, without telling anyone, for how long? Nearly THREE years? WHAT have they got on you, lady?"
"They've got a signed non-disclosure agreement. Which, I might add guarantees me the right to break the story. I have the film from the last go round, which they never found, and my own story. You can set up an interview and interview me if it comes down to it," huffed Kendall. "After all, there's an alien space ship sitting on top of the Pentagon, THE PENTAGON, for god's sake.
"Whoa, there lady, we have to run this through the legal department. There may be elements you still can not disclose," counseled Steve.
"That's right, Ma'am. You do not have the right to disclose until the President says you do. Colonel Tom Rundell, Pentagon Media Liaison Representative, ma'am. General O'Neill sends his complements. Your messages have been received and noted. So, the Pentagon sent me to settle you down. You must realize that there are elements that still cannot be disclosed. However, I have here a list of what you can. Can we step into your office, please?"
"Right, you bet. That's terrific. Thank you. Thank you. Tell General O'Neill that I shall." Emmett Bregman lowered the phone, clasped his hands together, and pirouetted behind his desk. This was better than he ever imagined. President Hayes wanted to run his "Heroes" film tonight after his speech to Congress. And even better, they wanted him on hand at the Pentagon, for what he wasn't sure, but it had to be good for Emmett Bregman. The world was going to know the name of Emmett Bregman.
"I don't like it. Look at all those weapons. We said, 'receive them gently' and just look at all that ordnance. I say we bring Him up here. It's cooler anyway," opined Admiral Zay.
Lady Anna sighed and looked annoyed. "You know Zay, you are more fussy than an old lady sometimes."
"Well, you would know, My Lady," teased Zay softly. "I still don't like it. At least let them wear personal shields."
"They'll faint just like that warrior did down there. Those things don't breathe so well. No, we have to start somewhere. Let's not give them any cause to complain of us. We have acted honorably so far. Surely they must understand, since we returned the crew of the Space Station. Send them down," she commanded. "It is in His hands now."
For several long moments, everyone just stood and stared at each other. And then another SF keeled over. The aliens were human-form at least. This was getting better thought Jack. "General Jack O'Neill, United States Air Force. Got your message. What do you want?" Well, not smooth but to the point, and in this heat, that counted for a lot. The aliens continued to stare for a few moments. And then they fell to their knees and bowed their heads.
"Oh for crying out loud, GET UP, get up, get up, no, you are not going to do that today. Sheesh, I hate when they do that. I SAID get up!" Jack indicated at an SF to approach them and help the woman rise. The woman looked aghast at the SF. The man started to protest, but another SF reached out and helped him up too. "No groveling. Got it? Now let's go inside." They didn't move. He motioned them to follow. "C'mon, it's cooler inside." He tried a weak smile and received a nod from the woman, who took a step forward, and tripped over the lawn sprinkler. She went down face first in the muddy grass. It was going to be one of those days. "Oy," Jack grumbled sotto voce, and reached down to help the unfortunate girl.
"Oh, that went well, My Lady," growled Admiral Zay looking over at Lady Anna. You really shouldn't laugh. Poor Lady Janelle is probably mortified. She'll never want to show her face again."
Lady Anna was racked with laughter. Gasping for air and holding her sides, Lady Anna managed to squeak out, " she, she, she went down at the most solemn moment in history. She, she, she probably did...hee, hee, did us all the greatest favor in the galaxy!" Peals of laughter shook her slight frame. "And did you see him reach over and lift her up, so gently? He IS kind, after all. It's going to be alright, Cousin."
Down on the planet, the corridor was dim after the midday sunshine. Dim and cool. What horrible heat and humidity these people lived in. Janelle was embarrassed and looked a mess. A woman approached and offered her hand, pulling her gently away from His Honor. Janelle went meekly with the woman and the guards. The women entered a room with water fixtures. Towels appeared. She accepted them gratefully and set about cleaning up. The woman was making soft cooing sounds and acting maternal. Oh well, what was done was done. She got the mud off her face and hands. But the dress was not going to come clean here. Janelle looked around the room. It smelled of chemicals. How do primitives live like this? Janelle finished quickly and indicated her desire to return to the group. She had a duty to perform. Her people were depending on her. Her pride would survive.
"Feeling better, ma'am?" General O'Neill enquired softly. He indicated a chair in a room filled with large men with obvious weapons. Her partner, Lt. Benjamin, was seated next to her. Why they stuck her with the Lieutenant could only be explained by family connections. He was a moron. So she took the initiative before he could make things worse.
"Yes, thank you, your Honor. You are most kind. I am Lady Janelle, daughter of Lord Reuben, House of Grey Hollow on the Planet Aretz of the Star Commonwealth of Planets. Our Great Lady has asked me to introduce us and say, "Peace Be Unto You."
"Well, that's mighty nice, ma'am. Peace to you too." Jack wanted to roll his eyes. He wanted her to get to the point. But he had learned these things had to take their course. Where was Daniel when he needed him? He should be arriving anytime now. Jack had contacted the SGC and sent for Daniel as soon as he heard the radio in the car. That was 3 hours ago. The F-302 should be landing at Andrews Air Force Base any moment and a chopper was standing by for Daniel. "So, you said something about having mutual friends. The Enkaran wasn't it?"
"Yes, your Honor. We are friends of the Enkaran. I am carrying letters to you from the Enkaran High Council and from your friends Hedrezar and Nikka." Janelle reached into her pocket and withdrew two disks. The SF's had raised their weapons at her motion. Janelle fought the urge to scream. Instead, she just looked at O'Neill, who was making no move to accept the disks.
"Go ahead, turn them on," instructed O'Neill. Janelle chose the disk from Hedrezar and activated it. A hologram of the old woman appeared and faced O'Neill.
"Colonel O'Neill, it is I, Hedrezar. Thanks to you and Daniel Jackson, we have found our people on our home world. Our thanks be to all of you for helping us. Nikka's son was born on the way. We have honored you and named the child "O'Neill" as we said we would. He is a lively child of more than 4 years now. We have met new friends. They call themselves the Commonwealth. They are a good people, O'Neill. Look, my eyes, they are restored to me. The doctors of these people gave us all our sight back. And, they have built us a Stargate. Now, you, Carter, Daniel, Teal'c, oh, and General Hammond can come and visit. The Enkaran High Council has sent a letter of invitation as well. This is our new address," she said holding up a sequence of gate symbols. "I hope this finds you well, and I hope you will come soon. Never a day goes by that we forget to say prayers for you and your people. Thank you and our blessings to you, O'Neill." And the disk shut itself off.
Jack felt his eyes mist. He looked down, and let a cough escape, as he shifted his weight. "You built them a Stargate? So, way smarter than we are, eh?" He looked around and smiled a small smile. "Davis, contact General Landry. Give him those coordinates and have him send a team to check on this story. It's not that I don't trust you, but, well, you understand we have to be careful."
"Your Honor, we understand and fully expected this reaction. You will find all is in order. Do you want to review the other messages, or shall I have Lt. Benjamin provide instructions to one of your assistants?"
"Sure, have Lt. Benjamin show one of these men." Jack signaled to one of the officers who stepped forward and took the lieutenant over to a table in the corner. "Ok, so what did you want to tell me the lieutenant should not hear?"
"Your Honor, Lt. Benjamin is my subordinate. I am charged with this duty to make first contact. I am to offer you such proofs of goodwill, as you require. My hope is that you will consent to meet with the leader of our expedition when you are satisfied. There are matters both great and terrible we have come to discuss with you."
" Why me? I know Hedrezar told you about me, but now we have met. Don't you want us to take you to our leader?" Jack regarded her with suspicion.
" No, your Honor. We do not want to meet with your sovereign until we have had the opportunity to consult with you at considerable length. As to why you, we have learned through our intelligence sources that you are known to be the most honorable man in your government. We know that in your military actions, you have not conquered or enslaved the peoples of other worlds. We know you have defended and liberated peoples less fortunate than yourselves. And we know that you were the only official who refused to steal Tonane's mineral. We know you were the only official that 4 advanced races trusted to set right a great wrong wrought by others in your government. And we have heard how you honored your word to the Goa'uld. We were warned to speak to you first and only to you. Even your enemies know the word of O'Neill is forged in honor."
Jack felt himself straighten and square his shoulders. What could he possibly say to a speech like that? Clearly these people did their homework. "Well, then, if things check out on Enkara, I suppose you should take me to YOUR leader. Excuse me, I need to consult with mine."
People die in this kind of heat. Daniel Jackson walked across the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. As he made his way to the chopper that was to take him to the Pentagon, he saw storm clouds were brewing in the western horizon. The air weighed oppressively on him. Walking on hot black tarmac was not helping matters. Jeez, it had to be over 100 degrees out here and total humidity. Not even a puff of breeze lightened the smothering air. Maybe the rain would cool things off a little. August in Washington, DC was much worse than in the cool dry Rocky Mountains, where Cheyenne Mountain was located. Couldn't the aliens have come in the Fall? On the other hand, maybe they liked this weather.
Mercifully, this helicopter was air-conditioned. Daniel looked down noting that the highways were jammed. Well, not strange considering events. People were apparently making a run for it. And then he saw it. The alien ship was the size of an aircraft carrier. It was just hovering over the Pentagon. Daniel closed his eyes and groaned. He looked out over the Capital and saw people in the streets just standing and looking up. And he saw the military and police everywhere. They had been deployed to keep order. This was shaping up to be a disaster. At least it was one ship and no one had fired any weapons, yet.
"D'you hear the message, Dr. Jackson?" the pilot enquired over the com system. "They asked specifically for General O'Neill by name. They accessed every frequency, every channel, in all languages, all over the globe. Hell, they even got on our emergency military and civil defense networks They were bouncing back signals off our own AF Satcom. Even the com systems in the fighters we scrambled received only THE MESSAGE. They're some serious folks." Daniel just looked at him, leaned back, and closed his eyes. The secret was revealed now.
"Col. Mitchell, I am assigning Dr. Balinsky to your unit while Dr. Jackson is in Washington," General Landry informed him. "You are to make contact with the Enkaran High Councilor Armil and make certain you speak in person with Hedrezar. I want to know if there is any form of coercion or signs of conquest by these aliens who call themselves the Commonwealth. If necessary, you are authorized to bring back, briefly, an Enkaran who will be willing to talk to us here. We must be certain that fear is not keeping them from telling us the truth. Stay in regular contact. Now move out."
"Yes sir." Mitchell saluted and turned to go. "Thanks for joining us Marines. Everyone, let's do it." And they disappeared through the Gate.
"They don't want to meet with me? But I'm a nice guy," protested President Hayes. "Did you tell them I'm a nice guy? I have a great smile. What's not to like?" President Hayes threw out his best full teeth smile. The Oval Office was buzzing with the camera crew and make-up people.
"Hold still, sir, just one more touch up," demanded the make-up lady. She removed the napkin under his chin and stepped back to view the effect. "It'll do."
"And in 5...4...3...2...Good afternoon, my fellow Americans and all the citizens of this world. Today is a profound moment in our history. At approximately, 6 am Eastern Daylight Time, aliens from another planet arrived in orbit. By now, most of you have heard their greeting. Some of you have seen the large ship above the Pentagon. There are more ships in orbit. They say they come in peace. And, so far, they have done nothing to suggest otherwise. I want to caution you not to panic. This is not some theatrical science fiction movie. I urge you not to exaggerate your fears. In view of the situation, I have suspended trading on all the markets for the next two days. And, I am calling up the reserve units of the National Guard to maintain the peace along with all the remaining reserve military personnel who have not been called up already.
Now, this situation affords us the opportunity to finally reveal what we know. We have known for sometime that life, sentient life, exists throughout our galaxy. In fact, we have met many races over the past eleven years. Some of these races have even become our friends. Today, these aliens have given us proofs that they know our friends. They even came with letters of introduction. These folks are humanoid, which means they look like us. They can speak our language. They call themselves The Star Commonwealth of Planets. Our friends tell us that the Commonwealth has acted as a civilized people and made kind efforts towards them, as they have towards us. I can confirm that earlier today, the crew of the Space Station paid a visit to the alien base ship. The aliens believed they were conducting a rescue of an escape pod and brought the crew aboard their vessel. As soon as the mistake was understood, these folks returned the crew back to the Space Station, UNHARMED and apologized. These are not the acts of a violent people.
I am impressed that the Commonwealth prepared so well for first contact with us. They know quite a bit about us. By every indication, they are here because they are impressed with honor of one of our generals. We do have in the United States Air Force, a Major General Jack O'Neill. He is indeed the person the aliens were seeking in their message. And, he has met with their emissaries. Later, he will meet with the alien leader on board their ship.
Tonight, I shall address a joint session of Congress. More of your questions will be answered at that time. Until then, I ask you with all my heart to go back to your homes and to go about your business. May God bless and keep you all."
Sara O'Neill felt her legs buckle underneath her. She sank to the soft carpet of her living room, staring at the TV set. Aliens were calling for Jack? The President confirmed it was Jack. She started to weep. Nothing the Air Force told her indicated that aliens were involved in Jack's work. But then he had never said much about anything he did. Even across the years, she still cared.
"So what have we got on this General Jack, people? I need a bio ASAP. We want to roll with this on the quarter hour." Steve Rosen looked at the stunned faces and shouted, "MOVE!" On the set, the talking heads were beginning a useless recap of the President's speech. "Is Kendall's piece ready? We roll in 15 minutes." Today was the day for which all newsmen lived. Great Scott, he felt alive. Woodward and Bernstein had nothing over on him. He was about to produce the scoop of the, well, the biggest scoop in the history of the human race. Yes, the whole human race. And it was called The Stargate.
"And what do YOU want?" asked Jack as Colonel Chekov appeared at his door. The Russian barreled in and offered his hand.
"Congratulations, General. You are now the most famous person in the whole Galaxy. I knew you would make something of yourself, someday."
"Funny." Jack wasn't laughing. He eyed the Russian with grudging respect and decided to accept the hand. Chekov had come through more often than not recently. Chekov was the one who had gotten through to the President of Russia, just in time to avert a nuclear war. The Goa'uld were still busy fomenting conflict on Earth, but it had been quiet lately. And, Chekov had supported Jack and Hammond when then Senator Kinsey tried to wrest away control of the SGC.
"I am here to ensure that our agreements are fully honored. And, to help you where it is necessary. But then, you should be able to handle a large armada of alien vessels determined to make you the poster boy for Earth." He just grinned from ear to ear. "I hear they have a big one for you. I wouldn't bend over without back up." Wagging his finger at Jack, he added for spite, "And, I am here to cover your backside when it all goes horribly wrong."
"Oy" Just what he needed, a pessimistic Russkie optimist. Made the Cold War look simple by comparison. This day just got better and better. Jack turned back to the window. He could hear thunder from the approaching rainstorm.
"That upstaging political hack. We had an agreement!" The Prime Minister of Great Britain had just had his fill after watching President Hayes' speech. "That does it. We call a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Tonight. DO IT!" he screamed. " And call the Presidents of Russia, France, the Premier of China, and whomever else and tell them we are going to do it. Get me the Secretary General. Then get me an audience with the Queen. America's closest ally my arse."
"Sorry sir, but the Russians have already called for a General Assembly tonight. I'm very sorry, sir. It's what I came to tell you." The Prime Minister's aide backed out of the room and ran.
"So, what's he doing here?" Daniel asked Jack pointing to Colonel Chekov on the other side of the conference table.
"He's watching my backside," Jack grimaced.
"Hello again, Dr. Jackson. I see you made it in one piece," observed Chekov.
"Yes, hello. It's nice to see you too. Jack, did you hear that the Russian government called for a United Nations General Assembly meeting tonight in New York?" Daniel pushed his glasses back up his nose.
"Yes, I suppose that's all part of watching my backside, eh, Colonel?" Jack raised his eyebrows.
"Well what did you expect? Did you think the Russian People were going to sit back and wait for YOU to make the determination of their fate? The United States cannot assume the sole responsibility for this planet anymore. The secret's out and everyone knows. Now, other voices will be heard." Chekov rolled his eyes. These Americans were like children when it came to global politics. Make that interstellar politics.
Jack sighed. "In case you weren't listening, THEY have decided to WHOM They wish to speak. I didn't decide anything."
"You could have made it clear that there are other voices and other representatives that must speak with them too." Chekov's tone got more strident.
Jack lost his patience. "You just don't get it. No, you just don't WANT to get it. They have a fleet of great big honking space ships. Ships that are way bigger and more powerful than anything the Goa'uld have, or the Asgaard, or anyone else we have ever met. They have a FLEET of ships up there, which contain a fleet of other ships inside the big ones. One of those mothers is the size of Manhattan Island. It's as big as the Lost City of Atlantis. It's the size of all of Moscow and then some. In one swoop, they took over the communications of this entire planet just to get what they wanted. That says they are way, way, way, smarter than we are." Jack dangerously lowered his voice, " I, for one, am not going to thwart them if they want to talk to me." Jack leaned back and glared at Chekov. "So, Colonel, you gonna watch my six, or do I have to remove you right now?"
Chekov mumbled back, "that won't be necessary, General."
"Alright then, first order of business, did we reach the Asgaard?" Everyone opened his or her briefing folders and the meeting began.
"Everyone open the folders, let's call this meeting to order," instructed Lady Anna. "What have we determined about this planet? Can anyone tell me how a place so primitive could have defeated the bulk of the Goa'uld? Commander Derek, what can you tell us?"
"My Lady, we have not been able to make that determination. From the weapons we have seen it is most bizarre. Their primitive information files were easy enough to access. They do have nuclear weaponry. And they have learned to use naquadah to enhance their yields. But, they seem to be pre-interstellar space flight capable. Well, other than the Goa'uld vessels they have captured and modified, they don't seem to be far along. We are still accessing files in other regions, but these places are even more primitive than the one we have contacted."
"That's disturbing. Is it possible that they have hidden their more advanced weapons off-world?" asked Lady Anna.
"We found the site of their famous Stargate Command. It is some distance from the Capital and deep underground. But, that situation poses no problem for us. They have virtually no encryption security to their data files. We have been sifting through their files all day. So far, it is just a shocking lack of security and only marginally useful data on their weapons. But it doesn't appear that they have significant weapons off-world." Derek shifted forward in his chair. "But what we did find inside the base was terrifying." He paused for effect. "They are utterly compromised with multiple source audio visual surveillance implants. And some of those show isotopes from outside this solar system."
"What are you saying, Commander?"
"I'm saying that other aliens are conducting clandestine surveillance of the SGC. The SGC hasn't got a clue. It could have been going on for years." Derek sat back angrily. "In fact, we found evidence that there are relay repeaters off this planet to broadcast the signal out into deep space. We found one on the moon of this world, two others unrelated to the first in the asteroid belt, and they are unrelated to each other, and another on the third moon of the nearest ringed planet. And that's just the off-world surveillance. They are compromised by the other peoples of this world as well."
"Then how did they manage their great victories? They sound like imbeciles." Lady Anna was getting impatient.
"We have noticed a large debris field on the southern polar continent. Scans indicate the Goa'uld made much of the debris materials. Apparently, that is where Anubis sent his fleet. Perhaps, that area deserves more attention?" suggested Derek.
"And what have we learned about the peoples and politics of this world we don't already know?" Lady Anna watched everyone carefully. This situation was worse than she had expected. "Captain Michael, report."
"They are more divided than we knew. There are several regions that are more advanced than the rest of the planet, but nearly pre-industrial agrarian peasants inhabit the bulk of the planet. This region, O'Neill's people, are called Americans. They and a few other nations compose the bulk of the industrialized areas and the bulk of the most advanced scientific capabilities. But they are at least 1500 years less advanced than we are." He sighed and plowed onward, "From our preliminary estimates, we have determined that this world cannot sustain its population. And that population, somewhere over 6 billion people, is growing at a rate that causes serious unrest between those with enough and those without enough."
Lt. Commander Andrew chimed in, "It is even worse. Pollution and overpopulation are destroying natural habitat at an alarming rate. They are causing the extinction of untold numbers of life forms unique to this planet. They seem to know it but cannot seem to make themselves do otherwise."
Derek spoke again, "Based upon the public's reaction to us, and the broadcast comments from their leaders, it would seem the public had no idea about off-world peoples at all. Their governments have been running the Stargate program clandestinely. Many governments seem to know all about it, but not the people. The unrest in the major cities may be the result of this revelation today." Derek looked around the table. "We did them an injury today by proclaiming ourselves so publicly. The riots are a direct result of our arrival and show no signs of abating. Lord O'Neill is probably angry."
Lady Anna sighed. This day just kept getting worse and worse.
"Repent sinners, repent, the Day of Judgment is at hand and this planet has been found wanting," the TV preacher was exhorting. "Oh please", muttered Jack. He was flipping channels on the set in his office at the Pentagon. He had to admit, as Director of Homeworld Security, he deserved a mighty fine office, the parking space, oh, and the paycheck. Today, he was certainly earning it. Jack was supposed to have a desk job; overseeing the Stargate Program; running the development of spaceships; and exercising the oversight of lots of nasty alien toys being analyzed in area 51 and the Alpha Site. He thought of it as a desk job with political battles, instead of actual combat. He preferred combat. Instead of a knife, the press was at his throat, same difference. His face was plastered all over the news. Because, today was the day the secret of the Stargate was revealed.
"You shouldn't be watching that stuff," Retired Lt. General George Hammond said in a fatherly voice. "It will just make you crazy. You have enough pressure."
Jack craned his neck sideways to look at his image on the TV screen. "Do I look fat?" He patted his stomach and looked down. "I look fat."
"Naw, you look just fine. Now shut it off." Gen. Hammond instructed. Jack complied with a shrug. "I briefed the President. He wants you to know he has every confidence in you. He just doesn't have any confidence in our so-called allies. They are out for blood. Tonight's going to be a real circus at the United Nations."
"Yes, well, that's why they pay him the big bucks," snarked Jack. "What I don't understand is why the aliens don't just beam me up and have done with it. They page me on every frequency all over the world. Then, they ask, oh so politely, if they can send down two representatives from a huge ship sitting over my head. They are pussyfooting around. I think they are looking for something. I mean, why have that ship up there anyway? It's intimidation. And it has to have something to do with recon. I am sure of it." Jack thought for a moment and added, "I am going to ask them to move it."
"So, what's your plan?" asked General Hammond, taking a seat on the sofa.
"I'm taking Daniel with me. They don't like it, and" Jack paused, "I don't care." Jack turned to look out the window. "They want to talk to me. Fine, I'm listening. But, there is something very off here." Jack turned to face Hammond. "I mean, they have the power to do just about anything they want, but they are bowing and scraping to me? Weird, huh?"
"They are aliens, Jack." Gen. Hammond reminded him. "Their motives could be anything. We know nothing about their customs. But the Enkaran representatives at the SGC confirmed the message from the High Council. These folks have not done anything aggressive to them. In fact, these aliens have been downright helpful." The portly older man narrowed his eyes, "But you are right They can do what they want. So maybe they are just biding their time until something is in place." Hammond crossed his legs in the chair. "So, nothing from the K'tau Hall of Wisdom?"
"No. We are trying to contact what's left of the Tok'ra," shrugged Jack.
"You think maybe they have another ship that can reach the Asgaard?" asked Hammond.
"There's that. Or, maybe they have some cool new weapon. Maybe a big honking space gun, or poison, maybe. They are good at poison." Jack grimaced at the thought. "Obviously, we can't just wait for the Asgaard to save our ass over and over...I mean our collective butts, sir." Jack rubbed his eyes. "And, I've ordered all activity to cease around the Ancient Outpost in Antarctica. We don't want to tip our hand about the Ancient's chair weapon there." Clouds passed over the sunlight playing on Jack's finely chiseled features. "The Alpha Site is prepping to launch the Prometheus. I am sending Colonel Ronson to try to get a message to Orilla, the Asgaard's new home world." Jack's hand ruffled his hair at his neck. "And I don't want these folks to know about our ships. There's no point risking the new ships, just yet, against the armada these folks have in orbit anyway. I want to know more about the aliens."
Hammond agreed and pointed out, "the Daedalus is still in Pegasus and can't be reached. They aren't scheduled back for another 2 weeks. So unless they phone home from Atlantis, we can't even ask Hermiod to call Thor." Hermiod was the new Asgaard crewmember of the Daedelus, the next generation ship just completed and sent to Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy.
Jack stretched. "And I'm guessing the next Daedalus ship isn't going to be ready in time."
"I am sitting on the commander of that facility," said Hammond. "They are trying to get it finished, working triple shifts around the clock. But it is still weeks away from being flight capable."
"Well, tell them if they don't hurry up, they'll be the largest manufacturer of siege artillery for the home if this goes south," Jack answered at his most surly. "Because these folks could send us back to the stone age, or worse."
"We are in a tough spot, Jack. Just keep them talking. They seem to love you. So there's hope," offered Gen. Hammond. "Oh, the President said to tell them he is a nice guy." Hammond chuckled. "He was a little offended that they said they didn't want to meet with him. The thinking in the White House is that a meeting would help the President's approval rating." Hammond just shook his head and stood up. "We have to get to the Capitol for the President's speech. They are going to make you a hero, Jack. But then, you already are."
Jack turned back to the window with a pensive stare. The August rainstorm was approaching fast. He could see the lightening before he heard the thunder. It promised to be a hot rain cooling nothing.
