Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate or Gundam SEED Destiny
PS. Grammar Purists get lost!
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Chapter 8
The Stonewall
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What we do in life, echoes in eternity—General Marcus Aurelius,
Oahu, Hawaii
Three Days Later
The revival of the Group of Seven Nation Economic Summit or G7 Summit is something that many are hoping, the stabilization of relations among nations. The Atlantic Federation is hosting the summit, inviting leaders from seven other nations that have a space presence namely, The Orb Union, the Eurasian Federation, the Republic of East Asia, the Plants, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the South Africa Union. Along with them are an army of executives from many companies, investors and heads of the world financial organizations bringing with them suitcases of offers of more business to the Atlantic Federation.
The state visit of so many leaders is also an invitation for trouble from the usual suspect of protesters and terrorists; however, the AF authorities made sure of the tight security along with the ring of defense from the armed forces in land, sea and air.
Protesters, who are mostly outsiders, have started their rally but have found themselves at odds with the local's populace who sees the protesters as unwanted business and troublemakers trying to make a name for themselves by causing rioting and property damage. Still they were allowed to have their rally but in places far from the venue. Still some are apprehended by the local authorities and held for the duration of the summit
Many of these apprehended troublemakers never even had the chance step on the Island, as they are unable to leave the country of their origin thanks to the local authorities. However, the most serious groups were the terrorists, mainly remnants Blue Cosmos and several factions allied with them, are caught trying to enter the island while some got themselves killed as they tried to resist arrest from the police.
As the Leaders of many nations and their delegates pay their respects at the Memorial site, none is more notable than the famed Songstress of the Plants herself, Lacus Clyne, and her along with her husband Kira Yamato are laying flowers and praying for the souls of the departed especially to former members of Terminal.
The Plants delegates and especially the current Plants Chairman were more than happy to see her again, because four years of her absence have brought the Plants in a steady decline and life more difficult. Her being the voice of reason and understanding could bring about a reversal…maybe even a change for the better…if it were not for the gloom and doom of a feared alien invasion that is hanging above their heads.
Camp Gerard G7 Conference Hall
First Day
Before the start of the meeting, Ezalia Joule and Plants Chairman Franco Dresden is in a discussion with Lacus Clyne and Cagalli about, pooling their resources in building their own interstellar vessels other than building their own Jupiter class ships capable of interstellar travel.
"Admittedly, the Jupiter class is an impressive feat of engineering, but it's ridiculously big for an interstellar vessel in our opinion" chairman Dresden said "We considered building ships half the size using locally acquired materials here on sol and only half the cost of a Jupiter class ship" said the chairman and Cagalli agrees
"It is too big to build which I agree with you," She said, "Still I must admit that the idea of making a ship with the O'Neill type system is still the best way to ferry as many people to great distances, even with the artificial gravity generators we are getting with the deal" Cagalli said
"That is if we can make a good deal with our host" Chairman Dresden and heaves a sigh concern "the air in here is very tense" he said as he looks around, seeing the forced smiles and expression of happiness of the other delegates and leaders faces
"Beneath the façade is the face of distrust, suspicion and even envy towards our host" Lacus said "No one here is really happy to find out that the AF greatest secret is the key to reach the distant stars,"
"Sad but true Ms. Clyne" chairman Dresden said agreeing "The Stargate have been in their possession for the past ten years, exploring the galaxy, exploited the resources of a multitude of planets, expanding their knowledge base and establishing relations, alliances, trade and commerce with other worlds" the chairman heaves a sigh of defeat. Wondering how much they have really gained than the ones they have shown and shared with the rest of the world.
"So how are we going to do this?" Cagalli asks as they look towards their AF counterparts now entering the conference hall. Then someone answered Cagalli question
"Posturing or throwing our outrage and insults in their faces and making demands of them will get us nowhere" Mr. Argyle said, "It was done before and it did absolutely nothing but worsen the problem, resulting to this situation" everyone nodded in agreement, especially Chairman Dresden himself
"I agree with Mr. Argyle" he said, "It would be best that we would be less aggressive,"
"We will say our concerns, but will not make any demands on them, and on the side, maybe we can offer them something they need in exchange for some concessions or even allowed to participate in their Stargate Program" everyone nodded in agreement to Chairman Dresden suggestion
"Small steps, as we still know very little of what is like in the galaxy except for the information they supplied us with, and like everyone here…we are all skeptical of the information they gave us" said Mr. Argyle where in other words 'no one is taking it in face value'
"You don't trust them, or the information they gave you?" Lacus asks
"It's a bit hard to swallow Ms. Clyne, and in some small part me…yes" answered Chairman Dresden "The information is too well made and most likely made that way to get us to cooperate with them"
"I thought so too as well," Cagalli, said agreeing, "however, this threat they called Anubis have frightened them so much that they reveal this to us… their greatest secret, the Stargate which I'm very sure they don't want to share it with the rest of us"
Right then, an announcement of the arrival of the President of the Atlantic Federation and asks everyone to be seated at his or her designated seats as doors began to close up the soundproof room that conference center.
When everyone have been seated, the meeting began by looking at the AF proposal of building several, Mass Exodus Fleet or Fleets of ships in order to leave Earth and begin a new life elsewhere in order to preserve their civilization.
A change in the proposal, saying that they can build vessels not as big as the Jupiter Explorer class but big enough for a generation type class of ship carrying tens of thousands of people.
The Atlantic Federation contingent revealed advance technologies they will share and give them have access thru a number of AF companies; contracted by the AF government as well access to mineral resources such as Trinium and Neutronium alloys used for the primary construction of the SF starships. The AF government will freely share the refinement and the molding process, which will take some retooling on their infrastructure along with personnel with technical expertise on site to help them, and one company stands to gain more than all the others.
Overtechnology Industries, the AF military primary weapons contractor, are also the main producers of gravity plating used to simulate gravity in ships without rotating sections, as well as inertial dampeners, which are devices that negate the g-forces inside a ship, which is the result of extreme speed.
One of many prize pieces of technology in the Earth Sphere that most technology related companies have tried to duplicate them but failed due to certain mineral elements used for manufacturing them is unavailable to them.
Many Spaceships companies who can afford the tech are mainly the merchant companies and major space transportation companies from Orb and certain members of the Junk Guild and DSSD research stations and their long-range exploration ships. Overtechnology also installs an improved version of Helium-3 fusion reactors in order to supply the right amount of energy for such power hungry systems.
Despite the huge expenses paid to acquire them, they found it worth the investment as their ships crew finds their enclosed environment more livable, which translate to better efficiency and productivity as their space operations became longer and traveling farther than ever.
Another tech item is the Quantum Super Computers that uses advance crystalline technology that the AF Research and Development reverse engineered from Goa'uld tech and greatly improves it with DSSD cooperation.
The QSC development was a joint venture project with the AF military and DSSD in order for spaceships to navigate space with faster than light capabilities for precise calculation. DSSD assistance came with a price of getting gravity plating inertial dampeners and ion drive engines for their spaceships and space stations. DSSD is unaware of the Stargate Program, but what they are aware of, is the secret alien spaceship (a captured Ha'tak) which the AF uses as a decoy to misdirect everyone.
Subspace technology, which is another prize technology, is part of the SF long-range communication and sensor system. Many were surprised to know that this tech is responsible for keeping out trespassers from illegally entering AF territory in secret as well as watch all movement across the sol system in realtime.
Hyperdrives, specifically the reverse engineered hyperdrives from a Ha'tak class vessel and though it wasn't as efficient as the SF new Asgard based hyperdrive, it is sufficient enough for a ship as big as the Jupiter class to travel anywhere in the galaxy. This particular item is something the AF government is giving the other countries free, but only upon the near completion of the spaceships.
The leaders and their contingent felt overwhelmed because, getting access to those advanced technologies will certainly bring about a revolution in deep space exploration and interplanetary colonization…something that the AF have been doing for ten years using the Stargate and what they shared is the result of the Stargate Program.
The other leaders offered the AF their own resources in both manpower, technical and material. In addition, they offer financial and economic assistance in reducing AF debts to their nation in exchange for participation in the Stargate Program. The other leader's pledge their full support and assistance if allowed to participate.
Sadly, Atlantic Federation President, Henry Hayes told them that, the Stargate Program is off limits, and that humbly deny their request to participate in the program.
The first of the three days summit is now over and the leaders have announced that the first day an overwhelming success now that markets once off limits are now open to do business. The announcement gave the global stock exchange a major boost in trade, especially for the Plants where struggling businesses are now eager to get into the booming AF market.
Orb Guesthouse
Later that night, in the guesthouse of the Orb delegates, they are looking at copies of contracts and trade agreements they are planning to discuss on the second day of the summit. Meanwhile, Lacus and Cagalli is talking about the AF handling of the Stargate Program and that the AF can't go on with them being drag into every situation, good or bad.
"You are not actually thinking of offering them that again… are you." Lacus asks Cagalli in disbelief of her friend plan "they already told us, the Stargate Program is off limits to us"
"We have to keep trying, Lacus" Cagalli said, "What they shared with us is impressive, but barely scratching the surface of what they have gained while in possession of the Stargate,"
"I will offer them all of Orb if I have to, just in order for us to participate in the Stargate Program no matter how small a role they will give us" she declared
Cagalli heaves a deep sigh before continuing "everyday and everytime they step into the event horizon of the Stargate, they step into a new world that not only they represent the Atlantic Federation but the whole Earth Sphere as well" she thinks of the upside of the AF possession of the Stargate.
"The numerous technological and scientific advances they have attained for the past ten years, the planets all its resources, accessible to them, the numerous worlds they can trade and make alliances with. And then there is the downside of it all, when things go bad for them like we are having right now, it affects all of us and even endanger us and we don't even know it until it's too late!"
"I agree with you Cagalli" Lacus agrees "But this threat with Anubis and our plan for a mass exodus to preserve our civilization from annihilation-"
"I know, I know" Cagalli replied "but I have to do this again…I have to try"
"No you won't" Lacus said back as she stood up from her chair
"I will do it," she declared
"What"
"I will be the one who will asks the president and there will be no danger of a back lash to you and Orb"
"But Lacus"
"It will be alright," she said assuring "it's no loss to me"
Second Day
On the second day of the summit, Lacus requested to speak before the delegates as she offers a suggestion that for the most part, no leader would even suggest it and it made President question the sanity of the young woman, Lacus Clyne
"Let me get this straight Ms. Clyne" President Hayes starts "you want us to allow them to participate in the Stargate Program?"
"Yes" was her answer and Hayes shook his head and sigh
"Ms. Clyne, you do know that we told you and everyone here yesterday," he told her "participation in the Stargate Program is off limits," President Hayes said
"The Stargate Program is in trouble, and its resources are now stretch thin after the loss of so many of you offworld assets," Lacus pointed out "With our help, the Stargate Program can reestablish its offworld operations, accelerate research and developments with our help. The benefits, the gains, loss and its dangers are equally shared as we all step thru that gate together," she said
"Sir, this could benefit everyone tremendously" she gesture all around "everyone here has more than enough resources and manpower to contribute, to fill the program needs and with mutual cooperation among nation-"
"That would need a great deal of trust, which unfortunately…it died ten years ago Ms. Clyne" President suddenly cut off Lacus in mid sentence in a hardened voice
"Trust, was given ten years ago and my country got burned in it. So what makes you think we will give you, give them our trust again?" the president asks coldly looking to the other leaders and delegates in the room, none making eye contact
"Sir, I don't understand" Lacus said confused "I thought this meeting is-"
"Has nothing to do with the Stargate Program" the President finishes it
"This meeting is all about business" he starts "the business of survival, of preserving human civilization, of the species. This is the reason why the Atlantic Federation is doing this…an investment to humanity future, to its survival…we are giving as many people a chance, A fighting chance to live…to survive should Anubis decided to attack us!" the president said pointing out the reason, and pause to let the words sink in to his fellow leaders.
"And, despite our losses off world, the majority of the Stargate Program resources are located here in Sol. So we are not desperate, nor have we been weaken"
"Mr. President" the head of the Eurasian Federation stood up and speak up "surely our support to the program could do a great help combined with our military strength, we could oppose the alien threat. An alliance will-" an AF officer suddenly cut him off in mid sentence
"We have no intention of reviving or re-creating another Earth Alliance or OMNI!" Major Paul Davis who is part of the AF contingent spoke up vehemently
"Even if we did make an alliance now, our forces is still outnumbered and outgunned," the AF President said "we can resists but that will only delay the inevitable…we can only run"
What Major Davis have said is understood all too well, as the current climate it is not a good time to create another military alliance, and doubt that any nation will even be willing to entrust their nation's armed forces to another again.
"Ms. Clyne" President Hayes called her "I am surprised you repeated this offer to us, yet you already know our answer, no matter how sweet your offers are"
"The potential of the Stargate is too great to be left in the hands of one nation," She said, "offering you our support in exchange of being part of your program is far better than having every nation here, demanding you to surrender it"
"Indeed I do understand and I would do the same if the roles were reversed. However, the mistakes of the past is still fresh in the minds of most of us, and many will resent your presence in the Stargate Program" the president said
"Ms Clyne, had I agree to something like that and allow you to participate, Col. Jack O'Neill of SG-1 would probably remark about it like, 'over my rotting corpse' to as simple as 'bite me' would be his answer as would the rest of SGC" the president said and amused at the thought of Jack O'Neill eloquence
"As their President, I pretty much share O'Neill sentiments along with most of the Joint Chief and those and Stargate Command." He said shaking his head "the Stargate is ours and it gave us a new path to a new future…something the rest of the world denied us of having one"
"Mr. President…could you just… take a leap of faith, just this once?" Lacus asks one last time and the president felt like he wanted to burst in anger but kept it down
"We tried that ten years ago Ms. Clyne and it didn't go well with us," his words echoed throughout the room
"You know when were organizing a provisional government, after Durandal destroyed Arzachel base with Requiem, where our seat of government was. We were reluctant to respond to your call for peace talks." He told her solemn
"The situation that we were in is a position of weakness and we were fearful …but we took a leap of faith with you and that's because we ask everyone for a second opinion and a lot of them vouches for you including…the late Rev. Malachi. And he was the one who extended your invitation to us" he said
"The Reverend" Lacus suddenly remembered that the Reverend went to Washington DC to bring Lacus message of peace. After the Treaty of Aprillius, the Reverend asks Lacus and the others to never ever come to the orphanage again and walk away.
The Reverend died of a heart failure two years ago when he went to sleep that night and never wake up. For Lacus, it felt like losing his father all over again, worst part is, the man was disappointed in her and she never got the chance to patch things up with him.
"Malachi told us to 'take a leap of faith, the trust part comes later' well, we did that and the world burned us…badly. Now you are asking us again to take another leap of faith…not happening"
"Sir, I" before Lacus could say another sentence, the president raise his right hand, halting her from speaking. For a long moment, as though there was a battle of wills, and then the President told her
"We made the mistake of blindly trusting you once, much as you made the mistake of blindly trusting those who negotiated the treaty of Aprillius…I'm sorry…but you gonna have to earn our trust this time, which is not going to be easy"
That was that
After that, the meeting went on to the late hours, discussing further on how to evacuate as many people as possible and what kind of people chosen for the evacuation. Then the meeting ends, leaving the host nation alone in the meeting hall, the president slid down in his seat in exhaustion, both physically and mentally.
"Well, that went rather well" Major Davis remark
"Indeed" the President agrees, "It went well, but I am guessing that they still want to participate in the Program and will do everything in their power to earn our trust"
"And how do earn our trust sir?" the Major asks
"We will let them figure that out themselves" he answered "we should concern ourselves now in how Anubis and Ba'al reaction to our actions, if he receives Intel of what we are planning"
What concerns the President, the Joint Chiefs and SGC is Ba'al means of getting Intelligence about the Earth Sphere thru the Plants. Moreover, especially thru Zaft military Intelligence as Tok'ra operatives discovered highly classified information belonging to Zaft that only handled by a high-ranking officer and members of government.
"Anubis will not bother us for a while, not so long as he believes that we are still a divided world and a divided world is an easy target, and easily destroyed. Therefore he doesn't consider us a threat yet, not just yet," the Major said
"So because our military force is small and our planet divided, we are considered weak, and that weakness…is keeping us from being invaded?" said the president who still finds it hard to believe
"Yes sir" the Major answered, "To prove his superiority among the system lords, he has to defeat the strongest and powerful of the system lords and us being seen as weak is no contest"
"Lucky us" the President mutters in sarcasm
"Tok'ra Intel is saying that he is consolidating his position among the system lords across the galaxy, and If we start organizing an allied force to fight off an alien invasion, then we will be the focus of his attention since we are already a thorn in his side"
"That is if our Tok'ra allies Intel pegs this right," the president said having some doubts the information from the Tok'ra operatives in Anubis camp "so far we've been lucky, giving us more time to secretly evacuate as many people as we can every day since Anubis started this war a year ago" the President heaves sigh in exhaustion
"We really need the Stargate operational again"
"Asks and you shall receive sir" announce General Hammond as he steps forward in the conversation "Sir, O'Neill wormhole tracking disabler is working as advertised and we have Stargate operations back up again," said
"George" the President greeted him
"Sir" Hammond acknowledge with a salute,
"I have good news to report," he began "we have found a network of cloak satellites that Ba'al uses to track all our Stargate activity"
"Where did you find it General?" the President asks
"You should thanks to O'Neill sensor upgrades for that Mr. President," the general answered
"We detected a network of satellites hidden in the debris field Mr. President, 12 satellites that monitors wormhole activities during incoming and offworld operations," Hammond answered, "though they are still active, none of them will report any gate activity to Ba'al which gives us freedom to move thru the Stargate without being tracked"
"Well that's good news" the Major remark and he seems happy for the news as do the President
"Indeed it is" the President agrees and then gave Hammond an order, "Rev up the transfer of people to our alternative Alpha Site, Heliopolis and Demeter immediately as planned General, the sooner the better"
"Yes, Mr. President" Hammond replied and then the President ads
"Take as many people here on Earth. Our holdings at the outer planets are already cleared of most of the people we sent there," the President said "move as many people as we can quietly and discreetly, without the others knowledge of what we are doing. I don't want to tip off Ba'al spies any more than necessary," he said
"Sir"
"We reveal this information to no one," the President declared and then asks General Hammond "Any word from SG-1?"
"No word yet sir" General Hammond answered "They are well beyond the reach of our communications,"
"Looking for Dr. Jackson Lost City is a longshot General," Davis said with a disapproving tone, "We should never have let them look for it when they are needed here the most"
"Longshot maybe, but having SG-1 here or not, won't do the situation any good Major," the General answered "Sending them to find the lost city and retrieve the ancient weapon system, maybe our only chance to stop a Goa'uld invasion"
"That is if it's real and they can get back here in time before Anubis decide to pay us a visit," said the Major raising his voice and the General would have responded had it not for the President stepping in
"Enough!" he exclaimed, "Arguing like this will not do us any good" The two officers stops on cue.
"Time wasting and I do not want us to waste any more time than we are doing now, is that understood!"
"Yes Sir!" said the two officers in chorus
"Good now move it!" the President ordered and it was right at that time, that an Asgard teleportation field, whisk the President, Major Davis and General Hammond from the conference hall to the new Asgard warship a Jack O'Neill class battleship.
The three look around to find themselves in a different location so suddenly and see only one person sitting on a command chair
"Thor"
"Greetings Mr. President, General Hammond and Major Davis" he greeted them all and surprisingly, someone else is with them.
Stepping from the shadows is, Jacob Carter who is the host of Selmak of the Tok'ra "Mr. President, George and Major Davis" Jacob greeted them
"I am sorry that we brought you up here in such a late hour, but we have a very big problem heading our way," Jacob said
Jacob was straight to the point in explaining the situation, and when you see an Asgard and a member of the Tok'ra together, saying to you 'we have a very big problem heading our way' you would immediately look for the fastest ship and use it to get the hell out of Dodge.
Orb Guesthouse
After the meeting, Lacus have never felt as depressed in her entire life as the weight of past mistake have hit her so badly that she felt like crying but held the urge and hold it back.
Never as she found herself facing a stonewall of a man with no hint giving her an inch. Ten years have changed the man she meet on Aprillius, the man who is now the President that led the revival of a superpower nation and that man pointed out the mistakes made in the past is blocking the way towards the future.
Everyone was quietly contemplating of what happened, until the phone at the side started ringing. Mr. Argyle answered it, and at the other end of the line is Major Davis who sounded a bit upset
"Major Davis?" Mr. Argyle listens to him curious
"Everyone's been called back" Davis said, "We have an emergency situation"
"Why, what's wrong"
"Trouble is coming a bit too soon than we previously thought" Davis said
When the leaders came back to the conference hall, Jacob Carter was explaining what was happening that put the whole world in jeopardy
"…all assessment on how much time Earth has until Anubis invades Earth is out of the window" he said grimly
"The System Lords Civil War is over, about two years earlier than we expected. They all sued for peace and in exchange for peace they proclaimed Anubis as new head of all the System Lords."
That did not sound good for everyone, for according to what SGC analyst believe, it will take at least two years for Anubis to defeat the major leaders in the Goa'uld hierarchy across the galaxy.
An early end to the war means danger for Earth and for everyone across the galaxy
To be Continued