Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1 or Gundam SEED Destiny
PS. To All Grammar Purists, get lost!
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Furthermore…please stay safe, though we now have the Vaccines against the COVID-19, the fight is not yet over. So, please wear a mask a face shield and a bottle of alcohol when you go out, then afterwards, wash your hands with soap and water, then take a bath.
Trust the Science!
Chapter 21
Dinner, Talk, Letters and…Historical Event.
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November 10, 84 CE
Avalon Cityship
President's Office
In a meeting with President Hayes on a secured channel and while the president is looking thru the report from Epsilon I and looking up to see Ron on a viewscreen, and is making a verbal report to him.
He reported"By the looks of it, Ms. Clyne and her faction is going to be very busy in doing mediation work between Epsilon One and the UN envoys and especially from the Plants which we know that, they have a vested interest on Epsilon One, especially in New Vinland"
"I concur to what you first reported Ron" Hayes said in agreement "the Epsilon Eridani system will be a major player for the needed resources in our major shipbuilding projects and the needed material for our naquadah reactors (generators)" looking at the new and more proper and comprehensive surveyor deep scan report, which shows the planet is loaded of materials they need.
"I can't believe the first survey team screw up…who knows what else they screwed up" Hayes remark as he's not amused with the report "Remind me later to fire those guys for missing this important"
"I am guessing they only survey and tested the area where the camps are located. They never did an actual test far enough and then filed as a survey to the whole planet. Someone gotten lazy in doing their job right" Ron remark
"Agree,the planet is a goldmine of precious resources that we need, and they are on top of it!"
"Which I know that Lenore will be asking quite alot in exchange for it because, we want it. I don't mean asking military and material aid, but I am guessing…no, I know that she wants Epsilon One to join the Tau'ri alliance, to secure the planet future"
The Tau'ri Alliance is a group of worlds and people allied with Stargate Command and all share knowledge and resources and intelligence to defend themselves from the System Lords tyranny. In the ten years of the stargate program, SGC have garnered a great deal of friendship with other alien races, yet it's not without its problems. Many, has a great deal of animosity with each other, some stretches back to thousands of years with the exception of Earth. Still, they are aware of Earth's own troubled history with details that are…slightly edited but otherwise the truth.
Yet still, they strive to start something new and different and something better.
"It won't be a problem for us if she does asks us membership. And, I am sure, the Asgard will sponsor their entry. The question we should be asking is, how will the rest of the world, reacts to the existence of human beings who are supposedly dead, are now alive and thriving on Epsilon One?"
"Surprised and quite suspicious would be my first thought. Pissed off and angry would be next since we kept revealing another mind-blowing secret. They will probably triple the burning of effigy of you this time Mr. President, while the religious groups will brand you as the devil incarnate" Ron said amusing at the thought which it gave a bit of laugh 'ah good times'
"I'm sure that, while all that bru-ba-ha is happening, the diplomats from the Plants Supreme Council will try start to tender up to Lenore"
"Oh"
"It's really not that hard to know what's on their minds Mr. President"
"And that is?"
"Lenore has a country founded by Coordinators, and it's on another planet far from Earth"
Hayes nodded slowly, knowing what Ron is saying "Of course they will be interested. But will she agree to it?"
"To allow mass immigration of Plants citizen to Epsilon One. I know Lenore will allow immigration, but probably not in the high numbers the Plants wanted, not to mention a strict background check to screen out people she considered persona non grata"
"People who are considered unacceptable and unwelcome" Hayes remark
"From ego-centric coordinators, criminals and known felons, especially fanatical follower of her husband Patrick Zala superior species bullshit, to radicals and ridiculous one-track minded idiots with delusion of grandeur and other unsavory characters" Ron pointed out "Sir, the people here are peaceful and despite wanting to reconnect with Sol, especially their living families in the Plants, they are tired of war. Tired of senseless violence, discrimination and stupidity, and they won't allow anyone to come here and disrupt the peaceful life they made her. They, don't want anyone bringing their own issues that's been plaguing the Cosmic Era. This place is paradise made by their own hands, and if people from Sol do come here, then they should leave that all behind"
"Do the other nations of Epsilon One agree with her?"
"From what I have been hearing, yes" Ron answered
"Also, Lenore is not someone who will bend to pressure so easily, or from anyone" Ron answered "the people here, has her support and confidence. After all, she was elected unanimously, mainly the entire population of New Vinland"
"Still, I am worried, that they may try to undermine her, play to her sympathies as a fellow Coordinator or force her to"
"She won't stand for it, and neither does the others and they won't like being dictated or being forced by anyone, including us, and if they do try something like that here, then Epsilon One will close off to outsiders, which also includes us if we try bullying her and her planet" Ron took a deep breath and heave sigh, remembering history throughout the ages, how a mass immigration of people from one place to another, overwhelmed and push out the native population. He shook his head of mankind past history of repeated acts of pushing native people out for theirs homes in order for another to flourish.
The people living on Epsilon One now, are the natives of the planet.
"I don't condone bullying other worlds, Ron" Hayes says sternly "doing something like that will always bite us in ass later on"
"Ron, I doubt that the Plants council will do something idiotic this early. They can't afford to right now"
"Maybe not, but there are those in the shadows who dislike the new status quo right now, and they will find ways to stir up some trouble for us, just to piss us off" Ron said have confidence in his belief
One of the things that Henry Hayes takes close attention, is Ron Sterling instincts about things and people, which makes him a valued asset to the Atlantic Federation and SGC. Still, he asks him
"Ron, suppose that they do move that many people to Epsilon One, there's plenty of room, and why not give them one of the four unclaimed continents?" Hayes suggest and sees Ron shook his head
"Bad Idea Mr. President. Those continents are already divided and claimed by them for their population expansion Mr. President and they are not giving them up for anyone and for whatever price"
"Surely they can spare one, an archipelago perhaps it's a big planet Ron,"
"Right around 10 percent and yes, it's bigger than Earth, and a day here is almost an hour longer than on Earth, and unlike Earth, the environment here is far more sensitive to change, meaning it's much more fragile and they don't want to aggravate it due to a sudden increase of human population activity, which could lead to unwanted climate change if they are not careful" Ron said
"I see" Hayes nodded "Well, the UN of Earth council will recognize Epsilon One sovereignty and abide the charter regarding any independent worlds or affiliated with Earth or not. That pretty much guaranteed" Hayes heave a heavy sigh
"Problem Mr. President?"
"Nah! Just working thru the usual mountain of paperwork that have been piling up on my desks Ron" Hayes answered though he does sound both grumbling in complain and happy at the extra work ever since the rest of the Atlantic Federation return to the fold.
'Paperwork, the bane of man's existence' Ron remark in thought and shiver at that
"Hope that there is nothing serious sir"
"Nothing unusual for you to be concern about Ron" Hayes said assured
"Soo, how is the returning wayward states (meaning, the former CSA) faring, Mr. President?" Ron inquires
"In a word, a complete and fu# mess!" Hayes cussingly remark
"We knew that, Kinsey and his army of YES men and bootlicking thugs run the nations like a goodman mafia, but what we didn't know is how prevalent the problem was all the way down the chain of command to the local government. Now the Justice Department are having an aneurism in processing the mountain of cases and criminal charges they are making to the thousands who ran Kinsey administration and those who are allied with them, and that's barely half of it"
"That bad huh?"
"Yeah, but then, we expected this kind of bullshit when they return to the fold, along with the absurd amount of money we will have to spend to rebuild their economy. God, give me strength!" Hayes called out to the heavens in frustration
Epsilon I
Somewhere in Northern Mountain Range of New Vinland
"Anyway, with things settling down here on Earth, I want you and the Blue Earth Corps to focus on invasion prevention, meaning, do some scouting at the surrounding sectors of space and gather intelligence for potential threats to Earth" Hayes then told him and ads
"Now, before that, I want you to keep the UN delegates and their entourage out of trouble. That goes especially to the Plants contingent. Hayes transmitted a file to Ron device and, it's a list of passengers from the Plants assigned to the Plants delegates now boarding the Leif Eriksson. Ron peruses the list and pictures Hayes sent to him
"See something interesting, Ron?" Ron didn't respond as he did find something that made him scowl at and then replied
"Oh yeah, I recognize a dozen spooks and special forces people who shouldn't be on the list, least of all playing bodyguards and assistants and personnel for the delegates" Ron replied
The report says that, several members of the UN delegates, especially the Plants and Orb entourage, have been identified and checked three times for false identities, false fingerprints and false faces using the most advanced facial recognition software security programs. Now, if that doesn't work, they use passive scans of advance Asgard based scanners field that identifies their DNA without doing DNA blood test, and what they found matched the ones on record, not to mention, full body x-ray scans designed to detect Goa'uld symbiotes, shows the mass and bone structure of a person belongs to another individual on their database.
"FAITH members"
-o-
From WIKI: F.A.I.T.H. (Fast Acting Integrate Tactical Headquarters) is an elite special forces unit of ZAFT personnel that have remarkable war records and certain character traits. They are appointed by the PLANT Supreme Council or the Supreme Chairman, only to whom they are answerable to. FAITH members operate outside the regular command structure of ZAFT and are allowed to plan operations and give orders on the battlefield as they see fit. FAITH members wear badges resembling a white wing emerging from a golden elliptical orb.
Ron and the Blue Earth Corps or BEC, have been at odds with them for many years ranging from border skirmishes to all an out brawl. Most of the time, they glare at each other from the distance as BEC blocks every attempt FAITH in trying to infiltrate Star Forces outer bases like AC195, where at one time, FAITH tries to approach the distant base with a Minerva-class vessel using 'Mirage Colloid' in an attempt to raid the base much like Phantom Pain did in Armory One, or Zaft 'Le Crueset team' did at Morgenroete in Orb Heliopolis space colony.
As the FAITH ship approach AC195, Ron ship, the Shinigami was moving at the opposite direction and pass each other by a thousand feet. Tense moments pass by, the FAITH ship felt relief to watch the Shinigami move away until suddenly, it made a sharp 180 degree turn with gun ports open.
Ron attacked them from behind and rendered the vessel crippled. During the ensuing battle, Ron took on their ace pilot, Shinn Asuka, in CQC or Close Quarter Combat. Ron disarms Shinn in the fight and then he literally, punch and kick the living hell out of Shinn mobile suit and then afterwards, ripped the suit off limb from limb until only the torso is left where the cockpit is located.
Ron kicks the torso back to the Zaft vessel and then ordered his forces to pull back in a defensive posture between them and AC195. For two weeks, the FAITH ship was left alone, allowing them repair their damage and return to the Plants which took them at least a month using whatever propulsion they got working again in order to get them back to friendly space.
When they did return, they found out that the Star Forces broadcasted the battle and the thrashing they got from the Blue Earth Corp and that Zaft Command in their wisdom, would neither confirm nor deny as to why members of FAITH were heading towards AC195 using what is supposedly a banned technology.
Zaft never tried to another raid.
-o-
"I never thought any of them were still alive after Ba'al screwed Zaft over. Guess they are still in business, and a surprise that, Gilbert Durandal little puppy is one among them" he derogatory remarks describing Shinn Asuka as one the former chairman favorite MS pilot.
Ron, seeing Shinn name on the list was curious, not after he went thru facial reconstructive surgery, and being treated for severe third-degree burns in thirty percent of his body. Add that, along with treating his mental trauma for watching his own teammates being hack to death with his own mobile suit.
Still, he was lucky enough to survive for a search and rescue team to find him in time. Other Zaft pilots weren't so lucky. Still, many Zaft pilots that did survive, but have sustained physical and mental damage along with Co2 poisoning and oxygen deprivation after spending two to three days floating in space, while waiting for a rescue to come.
Many, never recovered.
"You, and everyone else know this one guy should still be in the hospital because the guy has a super major PTSD issue" Ron pointing out "what the hell did they do to get him back up on his feet, and why are there so many FAITH members playing chauffer of all things?" Ron wonders as Hayes replied
"This is a bit of an overkill on their part I know, but it's to ease the delegates worries and concerns of safety. We had to make compromise to get them to agree to support us once this story gets out, and they made a promise to make sure that they behave during this trip."
"Did the Eriksson take measure while we have a ship full of special forces guest from other countries?"
"They have, and they also initiated 'False Door Protocols' as a precaution and security are closely watching the UN delegates for now and kept them from wandering into restricted areas of the ship for their own safety."
False Door Protocol: when a possible security breach occurs, the ship went into a lockdown mode, separating essential areas of the ship and partitioned off levels to misguide attempted boarders.
"If they do cause trouble, I will deal with them when they arrive Mr. President. They will taste my boot right up their ass,"
"Ron, for the love of God, please don't make a scene!" Hayes warned "Just let them know that they are noticed and checked, and when that's over, you will continue your secondary mission while you are there"
"But Sir," Hayes quickly stop him from arguing
"No buts! Ron, you are not to start a bar brawl. I mean it Ron, no shootout or decapitating FAITH members, spacing them or shove a pipe up their ass and hang them up like a flag pole!"
"That was one time during the war, and those guys Zaft bastards deserve it after they slaughtered surrendering soldiers at Panama and never got punished for it. Hell, some of them they were promoted to elite status by Patrick Zala after that!"
"All the more reason why you keep your issues in check, and especially with him, you are bound to escalate things out of proportion. Now give me your word of honor, that you will not start a fight!" a moment later after Ron stops grumbling
"Understood Sir. I won't start a fight, promise" Ron answer in agreement
"Good, then good luck Ron" and with that, the connection was stop and Ron closed the tablet he's using to communicate to Earth via the active Stargate on Reach
"So, Shinn is on the Leif Erikson?" asks by a familiar female voice who is sitting beside a nice dining table with two candles, a bowl of Salad, Champagne and Roast Turkey dinner
"Don't know why though, as he's supposed to be in the hospital being treated for severe case of PTSD"
"What will you will do?"
"Well, you heard the president, I'll put them on notice that we know who they are and keep an eye them while on the ship and sort things out"
"You are not picking a fight?" she questioning his motive.
"No! I gave my word of honor that I won't start a fight…that is, if they don't start one and if they do, I'll end it with my boot shove up deep into their posterior," he describes as he smiles mischievously
"Ron…seriously" the voice sigh exhaustedly as the woman know Ron too well to let things slide.
"Oh will you relax Talia, I won't pick a fight, and being present is enough a deterrent for them causing trouble" Ron confident about it
"So, what's this about a second mission?" she asks to change the subject
"I being ordered to scout around, just to make sure that Ba'al, Anubis right hand man, didn't set up any monitoring base near Earth in a hundred light years from here" Ron answered as he turns to the gorgeous person who is his lovely date, Talia Gladys.
She's all gorgeously dresses up with makeup and all. He handed one champagne glass to her and sit down.
"Are we safe?"
"Were fine" Ron said "the Goa'uld never once visited Epsilon One, ever. Despite the fact that, were so close to Sol. Honestly, it was a odd that, the Goa'uld have bypass many untouched star systems, even within their sphere of influence"
Ron explains to Talia, that according to Dr. Jackson, they were using gate addresses from a list that belong to Ra, Egyptian Sun God. The Goa'uld used this list to travel the Stargate Network or Starships for tens of thousands of years. The address of the gate here on Epsilon Eridani however, came from a complete ancient database that SG-1 recovered a few years ago, and when they match it with the Goa'uld database found in Abydos, they found that, more than 70 percent was not listed, meaning they have bypass so much of the galaxy without them knowing what else is out there.
"Goa'uld are parasites with delusions of grandeur and never once did any real space exploration, which is probably why so many star system were left untouched by them"
"So, we were never endangered?"
"Well out here, you don't know for sure but, yeah you weren't endangered" Ron answered
"Now, when Anubis returned, he brought with him knowledge from the Ancients and possibly database worth of Stargate addresses which is a worry for us if he shared any of it with the others, especially Ba'al because he knows how to use his brain than the other Goa'uld"
There was a consensus in the SGC about Anubis surviving a positron blast as he was half ascended at that time. They can't confirm his death, so they operate on the assumption that he's still alive somewhere.
"Ow! Hey Talia!" Talia jabs Ron on the arm. Of course, Ron felt little pain.
"That's for making everyone here worried to hell, you, stupid oaf!" she yelled "I cannot believe the hell you put me thru and everyone else on the planet. But I am more worried about my son!" angrily she said with the look of relief and worry on her face melts off
"A year, I was worried of what is happening back home as much as I … of my son safety…of Peter"
"Peter…our son is fine Talia" Ron corrected
"No, you are a sperm donor!"
"Which you didn't object the first time around"
"I don't, but you turn yourself into the Grimm Reaper you of all people!"
"And now, are you regretting it?" he asks and Talia pause for a moment thinking arranging her thought to answer
"No," she answered "I love my son, and you are my oldest best friend and I trust you for I know your history" she said "I know how the Plants Council betrayed your father, how they smeared your family name and how they tried to assassinate you and your entire family while they stole everything from you. I never thought you'd be the Grimm Reaper that Zaft are so afraid since"
"The worst of people from both sides, which I am worried because, if they knew Peter is… your son,"
"Talia" Ron quickly held her hand and then held her with a hug and assured her "He's living with your father and mother with my sister's family as neighbors back on Earth, and being trained martial arts by my sensei. He's ok, and I and my friends and family wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt him, and he's at the best place for a kid to grow up to be a fine young man"
"For that, I'm glad…" Talia felt relieve at the news of their son and then her eyes snap open at the thought
"Wait, your sensei, is that the one who cross-dress as a woman. A pervert, with the penchant for stealing women undergarm- mrph!" Ron suddenly put his hands on her mouth to stop her from talking
"Shhh, shhhh, don't say that out loud!" he whispers loudly as he looks around terrified like he expected someone to pop out of the dark all of the sudden as he felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
"Don't say that out loud!" he repeats "my sensei, is not that person. He's no pervert, and that's my sensei, sensei is the undergarment thief, and not him. My sensei has…some circumstances that I can't tell anyone under the pain of death. Even if I can, you won't believe it"
"You are being ridiculous Ron, and what kind of person that makes the infamous Grimm Reaper so afraid of, all the way here?"
-o-
Japan, Ohkayama Prefecture
A man sneezed, and he looks like he's still in his late teen with a pigtail hair and is playing shogi with another with a similar tied hair. Meanwhile, a young blonde boy is doing kempo exercises with other kids his age on the practice field following an old man no bigger than them.
The man sneezed, and look up to the skies with an icy glare
"Catching a cold Ranma?" ask the second man
"Since when did guys like us, ever caught a cold after all this time, Tenchi?" the first man answered with a question
"Yeah, your right" the second man nodded in agreement while the first man continue to glare up to the sky "Someone, or should I say, one of my students or someone close to him is talking about me" he remarks and went back to his shogi game while the second man shiver at the idea of what his friend will do
"When he comes back, I will have him go thru the wringer with live fire weapons exercise on his path while carrying two tons of high explosives. If he survives the obstacle course, I will have a long chat about telling tall stories"
-o-
Ron suddenly felt a massive chill run down his spine 'That's it, I'm a dead man!'
"Believe me Talia, compared to me, the man is scary as and an extraordinary man, but he is someone who can teach people to push one's limit and surpass it. For to him, human beings have no limits, but those that we make for ourselves or others. Naturals and Coordinators"
"He says that?" Talia said surprise "So he's the man who made you Zafts infamous Grimm Reaper?"
"No, he's just the one who taught me Martial Arts and stuff. Zaft gave me the title of 'the Grimm Reaper' though I rather be called, an 'Avenger'
"He taught you what stuff? And you, Avenger?" Talia said with a questioning look again
"Hey, hey now, if you look thru my war record, you'll see that I never once go after innocent people, soldiers and civilians or anyone but those who deserve to get their ass kick or a bullet on the head. Most if not every bastard I went after deserve both, from Zaft the Earth Alliance, Orb and fanatics from Blue Cosmos to Zala factions and death merchants. Of course, there is the occasional to school bullies"
"School bullies? Ron please don't tell me you'd go so far as,"
"Of course not!" Ron shot back defensively "All I did was raise them up the flagpole wrap up in soiled football players underwear, with a permanent marker on their forehead saying 'I am a bully, please don't be like me' that's all"
"Of course, you would" Talia facepalmed at Ron sadism towards the school bullies.
New Vinland Capital
Presidential Palace
At that same time, Lacus and the others are talking with President Lenore Zala after a nice evening meal, and they were discussing about private messages the Plants Supreme Council carried by Yzak Joule. The letter or letters are from members of the Plants Supreme Council, and other than saying the standard greetings and hello and how are you, and other things. There, also added, a laundry list of grievance and problems and the status of the homeland and its dire needs to protect the people from the violence, greed, selfishness and cruelty of Naturals.
Wordings that carried open intentions to provoke sympathies for their fellows and that her assistance, would be greatly appreciated.
After reading the letters, she looks at Lacus and the others with an expression of slight amusement.
"My dears, now other than Eileen and Yzak Mother whose letters I find so heartwarming to read" she praised which made Yzak glad to hear the praise. Then, the President raise some of the letter the others
"These ones however, has the earmarks of old Zaft rhetoric and propaganda pamphlet, carefully crafted to give the reader sympathy. This is something Patrick would normally use to gain supporters for the cause" she passes it to the others to let them read and to their shock, the words written were inflammatory to say the least.
Lenore was disappointed "The council seems to think that, I would just fall in line with them and accept the party line. They seem to expect me to do so, as if thinking that being Patrick wife, I would have his same line of thoughts as him. Well, I am not Patrick!" she declared
Lenore shook her head disappointment "I am starting to have second thoughts in opening this world to Sol, especially to the Plants, if this is what I am expecting from my old homeland"
"Mother, these are just letters," Athrun tries to argue but Lenore cut him off
"Letters yes Athrun, hand written by the leaders of the Plants Supreme Council, who seems to think that I would just…rollover and hand over my country to them in a 'snap fingers' just like that. Saying, it's for the good of the people of course, otherwise my people will hate me for keeping their love ones apart" she said with a sarcastic tone at the end.
"Madam President" Lacus was speaking when Lenore stops her
"No Lacus, no" she stops her "The council must be made to understand, that just because this country was founded by reborn and displaced Coordinators, does not mean we would just blindly follow them!" she said sternly and then sigh deeply
"I just got word from the other nations of Epsilon One," she informed "Your other UN Colleagues visiting New Europa, Fuso and Neo Orb, seems to have the same one-track mind as the Plants Supreme Council, as they seem to, if you forgive me for saying 'trying to coerce to accept their point of view' but gently, as to not being seen that they are trying to manipulate them into a situation they do not like, just as I don't like being manipulated by my former government".
Hearing this, Lacus is concerned, as the selfishness of some people is trying to open the means to exploit Epsilon One by taking advantage of the eagerness of the people here, to reconnect with the people back home.
"Madam President, I am sorry" Lacus said "We were here to assess the situation, not try to find means to exploit your people or the planet"
"Of course, your intention here is sincere my dear Lacus, as do Eileen and Ezalia. That much I can tell from their letters to me" Lenore replied and heave sigh "your father would be so disappointed in his fellow councilors unchanging attitude even now"
"Despite this, I am not canceling the meeting with the main delegates arriving in a few days. I will give them the benefit of the doubt"
That was a relief to hear for Lacus and hopefully, this could be resolve peacefully and not cause an incident on the UN first interstellar affair.
"I will however, have mediator/observers present with the talks" Lenore added
"A Mediator? By whom" Athrun asks and no sooner answered by a voice from the sky?
"By us, the Asgard!" and in a light show and musical chimes, appeared an Asgard standing in front of a stunned and surprised group of people except for Lenore who smile at the presence of the Asgard
"Greetings, I am Freya of the Asgard"
"Freya, welcome back to Epsilon One my dear friend" Freya gave a bow in acknowledgement "Everyone, I would like you to meet Freya, Epsilon One Asgard sponsor to the Tau'ri Alliance and my dearest friend"
To many, the being in front of them, really is the image of the classic 'Roswell Grey' who said to have a spaceship that crashed back in the 1950's in North America. So many things were running thru their mind, but one thing they all agree on, 'IT'S ALL TRUE' conspiracy theorist, alien believers and so-called Ancient Astronaut experts the like, who has been saying it for a century, where many thinks it's all nonsense and were ridiculed for it.
They have just been redeemed.
A loud clapping sound from Lenore, broke the others off their trance "Stop staring at Freya, it is rude when people do that"
"Sorry Ma'am" Mwu apologize as Freya turn to Lenore
"My deepest apology for being away for too long Lenore" Freya said
"You had me worried when you suddenly left without any word of why and your situation. Even SGC can't reach you"
"The Replicator have been a serious problem for the Asgard for years, and only now they have been dealt with once and for all, thanks to SG-1 assistance"
"That is good news indeed!"
"Replicators?" Murrue would ask further but Lenore dissuade her from asking
"You should ask SGC about that Ms. Ramius, it's a long story" Lenore advised and mischievously added
"If Ron was here, he would probably tell you, that's one thing you don't have to worry about while you sleep which is true"
'That the hell!' Murrue thought, which is everyone is thinking the same thing when you are in front of an actual alien. All the wild possibilities of their favorite sci-fi genre where some are sci-fi horrors based is starting to scare them a little.
Regrettably, some of them tried so many times to forget what Ron said yesterday. Their first night on an alien planet and didn't get much sleep because, the first thing that came to mind are Ron words
Flashback
"Becoming a Goa'uld host are one of them, or get impregnated with a facehugger parasite…it can happen. Ever watched the movie 'Alien' Mr. Joule?"
And the other thing he said
"TV got it right you know, because out here, the three worst things that could happen to you are; you get killed, raped and eaten. And if you are lucky enough, they do that to you in that particular order"
Flashback end
'Damn him!' Joule, La Flaga, Murrue and Athrun cursed altogether in their mind
Whether it was true or not, everyone seems to pale a little in remembering that part of the conversation they had yesterday, despite the fact that Ron referencing those words from classic TV series, yet it started to feel like there is some truth in what he's saying.
Back on Earth, there was an upsurge of interest in watching classic sci-fi alien movies, comic books, manga and alien documentaries, where 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and 'Aliens' was in an all-time high in the HBO channel and that people are comparing it to the Goa'uld parasite. Some, would start to asking 'how much of it were true' since there was limited knowledge made public and those that do made public, people start making comparisons.
'I HATE THAT GUY!' from the inner voice of Mwu, Murrue, Yzak, Dearka and Athrun groans
-o-
"Aaa-chooo!" Ron sneeze to the side "sniff" "excuse me Talia. Someone seems to be talking about me, probably not in a good way" Ron remark
"Jeez, who could that be?" Talia remark sarcastically
-o-
"Madam President, Stargate Command have informed me of your situation. How may the Asgard be of service to you?" Freya asks
"Your return is perfect timing my friend!" Lenore said quite happily
The Asgard, namely Freya, have been helping the people of Epsilon One settle down, giving some material and equipment to build a proper settlement after their brief civil war ended. The assistance given was modest but nothing to be considered advance tech but enough to build new homes, farm the land with seed such as barley, rice, potatoes vegetables and help fish the seas to sustain them. Meanwhile, SGC was on the sidelines doing nothing but observe and never interfere. Though at times they point out that, the people of Epsilon are not allowed to have electronics advance enough that could attract unwanted guest.
The Asgard agrees to a point.
In return for Asgard assistance, Freya was allowed to examine their physiology more in depth and found the means to a cure the Asgard and map the Coordinator DNA to help the people at the Plants.
Somewhere in Northern Mountain Range of New Vinland
"Facehuggers? Wait, you told them about the 'Alien' story and that quote about Reavers coming to eat you, from the old 'Firefly' TV series?" Talia was incredulous at what he did, psyching them off to the point of terror.
"I swear, you enjoy tormenting newbies who are first time offworld!"
"yeahhh, my bad" he said admittedly "I can't help psyching them off like that, which was kinda fun"
"You did the same to everyone here, you sadistic jerk! IT WAS NOT FUN FOR US WHEN SHOWED US THOSE DAMN SCIENCE FICTION HORROR MOVIES!" Talia yelled back as she remembers that It took weeks for everyone to settle down and sleep soundly in their own beds and not be afraid of what's lurking in the darkness on an alien planet!"
Talia remembers SGC members, which turns out to be members of BEC, setting up several movie theatres to entertain the people with Movies of all varieties. It went well enough, some grumbling and complaints here and there…and some requests were made. Then, when it comes to sci-fi movies that involves alien encounters, many of which are horror movies where humans ended up getting killed, eaten or impregnated by aliens, that cause everyone to have anxiety and nightmare living on an alien planet.
It did sober them up and made them face the reality of their situation.
"We tried every reasonable means for you to be bit more cooperative with us, Jeez! "We were trying to give you what you needed to establish a settlement out here without getting rowdy at the very people who were trying to help you! Remember, you were all officially deceased back on Earth, and whether you live or die by our hands, no one back would care and that is the truth"
Talia growled at the logic, but it worked, they all cooperated for as SGC distributed the essentials for colony establishment. It was a miracle that they survive the first year of their exile, and no one was abused or threatened as many believe they would be, as they are in the mercy of Naturals who they hated and hate them back.
Soon, a measure of cooperation and trust between them grew and the condition of the settlements became much better and the settlers started organizing their own local government. For a while, they treated each other with civility, and it was only the actions of several violent extremists that relations soured and ruined what was built. SGC immediately abandon them, and the settlers prepared they themselves to die from revenge.
That, never came.
"Truth be told Talia, many in SGC are tempted to burn Epsilon One to the ground when extremists brutally murdered the Ambassador Faxon" Ron pointed out
Those idiots gave us the reason to kill you…many of them wants a scorch earth, and it was only those in leadership who are calmer and more wiser people than I myself didn't give them credit that you still lived. That, they reign-in the base instinct of revenge from many. They kept the people in SGC from doing something what is wrong, and told them, that they would regret it, and it would taint the program goals. Telling everyone that, if we condemn an entire race due to the criminal actions of a few, that would make us no better than monsters."
He looks up to the night glittering sky, and seeing a lone bright light moving differently. He can tell it's the Asgard ship. Most likely, it was Freya, Jack O'Neill-class warship that just arrived.
"Joseph Faxon, was Henry Hayes closest and dearest friends for years, and if anyone wants to take revenge more than anyone, it would be him. Yet, he was the one who kept the people from becoming monsters. In a way, he was the one responsible for everyone becoming reborn in the first place, and your continued existence second"
Talia was unsure what to think and feel about owing Henry Hayes their existence… twice. So, she kept her silence and listens Ron
"I myself thought that he'd be the first to call for a scorch earth order, but he didn't. So, after we abandon you, the Asgard came knocking on our doorstep a month later. We did not know the reason for their sudden visit, some could only guess why they came. During which, they ask us a few things quite forwardly. One of which is why we never exterminated you since, one of our own who was trying to help, but was brutally murdered. Then, they even ask further of what are our intentions towards the galaxy, asking us like why so merciful to a people who are officially dead, who you hated them so much with a passion it was unnerving"
It was no secret to the Asgard that, they know that Naturals and Coordinators hated each other with a passion despite the peace. They also know that what knowledge SGC has gain can be used against their hated enemy.
Ron told Talia, that the diplomats try to answer their questions as sincere as they could, with some embellishment. He was there that day along with SG-1, and he felt that there something was wrong, when the Asgard kept asking more and more questions, some of which were questions of classified nature and the diplomats refuse to answer them.
"They were there to negotiate an alliance treaty with SGC, and asking us questions was a means to assess our worth as one. What, we didn't know back then, that the Asgard race are partly empathic. Meaning, they can read people's emotions, which means, they know that they are being lied to or being deceived"
"Wai-wait, wait…the Asgard are empathic? I didn't know that" she said surprised at the revelation
"Well, you couldn't even discern it by the way they look, but they are just as emotional and sensitive as we are" he said "Colonel O'Neill got all annoyed with question and answers portion, so he stood up from his seat and gave the Asgard what they really wanted to hear"
"What's that?" Talia asks
"The truth,"
"The truth?" Talia repeats
"Yes" Ron explains how O'Neill lay it on the Asgard, that what knowledge they have learned from the galaxy they will use it destroy their enemies. To destroy Zaft and bring the Plants to heels one way or another.
Talia, felt a chill down her spine in Ron straightforward answer, off not keeping secrets from her as she is one of a rare few that Ron trusted explicitly.
"Well, that was the plan…but something changed all that"
"What changed?" she asks
"The Stargate," he answered "traveling thru the cosmos, you get to see a different perspective" Ron pulled out a tablet from a bag and gave it to Talia
"Let me show you something"
"This is a classified video file taken from that time, and it show Jack speaking before the Asgard visitors. This file, is just part of the meeting with the Asgard, never to be declassified until a hundred years from now"
"Why a hundred years?"
"Because most of the things that were discussed are highly sensitive material even now" he then presses the play button and let Talia watched the scene
"Yes, it's true, we hated them, we hated them like hell, because they beat us and we want to beat them back. We can do it now…hell we could've done it years ago just to satisfy our desire from getting back at them, getting back at Zaft… but we decided not to because…there was really nothing much to gain, and it would put us in path that, the worst of ourselves is all that is left of what once being human. So, we raise our hands up and said 'fine you win, this world is yours as its future is yours' and we walk out of that goddamned world!" O'Neill said then ads
"SGC was ordered by the oversight committee and the president to step back and not to do anything to the people living on Epsilon One. We followed our orders, despite the urge of lashing out against those goddamned patchworkers who got away with murder, but we kept ourselves in check, but it was tempting!"
"As for the world I called the Cosmic Era, well like I said, the coordinators can have it. The people in my country however, feel that, there was no future there, so I say, we should close that door from our lives and open another door, that door." He pointed at the Stargate which the conference room has a view of it. Then Daniel Jackson stood up to speak to hopefully do some damage control.
"Respectfully, when we open the gate at first, it out of curiosity, then later, it was out of necessity because, we needed things to help our people rebuild their lives, and we look for places to build a future out here and make friends and… did made mistakes, yes, and some of them are living on Epsilon One and we take responsibility for it". Daniel admitted, then O'Neill spoke up again before Daniel could continue
"And if you ask us again why we didn't kill them, well that would make us monsters if we did, wont it? and we are certainly not monsters!" he yelled which startled everyone "So, what else do you want to ask?"
"O'Neill, is there something you want to prove?" Freya asks curious and for a moment O'Neill was silent until he answered
"Hell, yes! I want something to prove" he said admittedly. Then Colonel Jack O'Neill, said the words that echoed in Ron mind and felt the world was on the right.
"To prove to that we are better than they are, that we, can be more than what's written on our DNA…to prove that humanity can go further, and that we don't need to be Coordinators to achieve it. That! Is what I want to prove!"
Talia paused the recording and look at Ron for some answers
"Most, if not everyone in the SGC hated losing the war to Zaft and to Coordinators and O'Neill is no exception. Everyone wants payback more than anything and yet…he and I would say myself…we let it go"
"He and you let it go?" Talia was confused
"You know me more than anyone, that I would never let things go that easily"
"So, what changed?"
"Ten years of offworld travel, seeing the universe, interacting with other human civilization, real aliens and fighting a clandestine war against the Goa'uld. It's a big ocean and you are just a small fish among big fish and hungry sharks. Yeah, that can change your perspective" he said
"Ever since O'Neill first step thru the Stargate, everything has change for us, especially when SG-1 kept pulling out miracles one after another" he laughs at that.
"Their travels and exploits are the stuff of legends are made of"
"Seem to me, you admire them alot?"
"It's hard not to, when you see a team of four step into the great unknown and see what is there, you can't help but admire them. Thanks to them, we discovered so much, learned so much and revealed a lot secrets hidden in the shadows for centuries. The things out here that will question your place in the universe Talia, it that made the squabbles of Naturals and Coordinators look pointless, and because of this, the people in SGC grew up little by little, learning so much about the galaxy at large. Still, some grudges towards Coordinators are still there though, but not as extreme as it was a decade ago. You can partly thanks O'Neill and the Asgard" he leans back and heave a sigh and the past in amusement
"If not for O'Neill ranting to the Asgard, then there wouldn't have been an alliance with SGC, and one of the most powerful races in the universe" he reached to his laptop which was on another table close by, and played a video of the signing of the treaty being projected on a holoscreen.
Ron explained that, after years of intense negotiation, with the dos and don'ts rules set down on stone, a formal signing of an alliance between the Asgard and SGC was made. Thor, the Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet, spoke before everyone in SGC at the ramp of the Stargate where Thor told everyone,
Ron showed another clip of Thor speech to Talia
All wounds heal, as time passes. You, all of you have deep wounds in your heart. Let time heal and mend those wounds, you must let go of your grudge, you must forgive the others less, it would consume you.
It is, the only way for you to break the bonds that chained yourself in the past, that held you back, of what you wish to achieve, of what you wish to be, of what you wish to surpass.
You, have a long road ahead of you, for the path you have chosen is not an easy one
You, will be challenged,
You will be facing dangers and adversity who will try and break your resolve, your conviction. So, strengthen your heart, your mind and spirit, for you will be pushed to the breaking point. For only those who have the strength and fortitude in themselves can live in this vast universe.
Make no mistake, you have what it takes to live here. Still, you must continue to grow and mature at your own pace and your own choice. Thru life, experience and wisdom and friendship…yes, you will become more than you are now.
Your time is now
You, are the people of the first world.
You, are the Tau'ri
And you have made the first step of becoming, the Fifth Race.
Talia, felt the reverberation of those powerful words. The words from a noble race who is showing their faith in the people of SGC and being treated like they are equal is probably why they have such strong reverence towards the Asgard.
Talia remembers her conversation with Freya a while back,
flashback
"Uhmn, Freya what is this about the fifth race your people bestowed to SGC?" she asks
"It is about the Alliance of Four Great Races,an intergalactic alliance composed of the most advanced races known at that time: The Ancients, the Asgard, the Furlings, and the Nox. We would periodically meet to discuss matters of mutual concern and importance. We all helped to maintain order in the galaxy" Freya answered
"So, it's like the United Nations"
"In a way, yes. But, after thousands of years, the alliance drifted apart and dissolved thousands of years ago," Freya said and then added
"As for Stargate Command, we did not bestow the title of the Fifth Race to them"
"But I thought,"
"What we told them; they have made the first step…one of many that they must make"
Talia finally understood "they must take the next step. One must earn to be the Fifth Race" Freya nodded in acknowledgement
"No known race has ever come this close but the Tau'ri" Freya said "What we saw in them, we saw ourselves long, long ago, and do friends we knew long ago. We, have waited long to see that same spark that all the four great races have and saw none in others. Even the vaunted Tollan people, have not come this close"
"Why is that? I mean the Tollan are the most advance human civilization in the galaxy"
"True, they are an advance civilization whom many of us believe that they could achieve the title of the fifth. But as time passes, the Asgard observe them closely… their interaction to others in the galaxy, and find them to be lacking"
"Lacking"
Flashback ends
Talia never had the chance to inquire more, as Freya called back to their world all of the sudden.
"It has been ten millennia since the alliance was dissolved and the Asgard have probably seen many races that comes and go. We'll see if the Tau'ri can live up to their expectations"
"You sounded unsure Ron" Talia observed
"That's because, I feel like it's still too early to tell really, if we can really live up to their expectations of becoming the fifth member of their fraternity" Ron replied
"Like Thor said, 'the path you have chosen is not an easy one' end quote" Ron sigh deeply "no pressure" he muttered and sigh
"Welp! Nothing we can do but move forward" he quickly stood up and then suddenly pulls Talia close to him, lifting her up in bridal position which startled her.
"Hey! What do you think you are doing?" she demanded as she sweatdrop in seeing Ron smiling like a maniac
"I got a nice king size bed made of nice soft silk satin sheet bed and pillows with the stars as our ceiling. Get the idea" she suddenly got blushing red
"Ron! You promise me that we wouldn't go that far!" she shouted at him but in her thoughts 'couldn't you at least waited after I see my son first. I am not ready for this yet…although you do look kinda yummy right now' she remarks as she tries to push him away while feeling Ron firm chest. Those thoughts and naughty ones that came in mind, add that she's licking her lips surprised her, in which 'Oh God! How many years has it been since I gotten laid with a man?" that question had shocked and surprised her at what she's thinking
'I AM NOT THAT HORNY!' she screamed in her mind
"Ron! Put me down!" she demanded
It was right then, that the chime and lights of an Asgard beam transporter surrounded Ron and Talia and both remarks,
"Ah! Crap!"