Chapter Ten - The Next Galaxy
Life on Destiny was quickly getting better as crew members showered and changed into new clothes. New clothes would be a regular thing now that they had several rooms installed with Ancient Matter Creation Devices. Whatever a crew member could want, they could easily get. It couldn't make food, though, but soap, sheets, blankets, sweaters and the like were now everywhere. It could even create books or movies and, most important of all, water. Now that they had a permanent supply line, anything scanned on Earth could easily be replicated on Destiny. They would have every comfort.
The Replicators could make use of the Ancient Communication Stones and swap their 'consciousness' with another Replicator. It doesn't work between a Replicator and a human for some reason. This would allow everything learned in the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies to also be known by the Replicators on Destiny and vice versa. All they would have to do is be present in the Milky Way and they would have everything automatically downloaded into their mechanical brains. Any new technologies would also be shared in this manner. Since they could transfer information in this manner, the Wormhole Drives would easily be able to travel directly to Destiny, with the scans provided by the Replicators.
They now boasted a complement of ten Replicators who would take over the regular maintenance from the Ancient Repair Drones. The repair drones would be retired. They would also be entrusted with repairing and upgrading Destiny from now on. For billions of years to come, the Replicators would maintain Destiny so she would be able to reach the farthest of galaxies. They would do this by maintaining her and replacing her parts whenever necessary. They would be able to protect themselves while repairing the exterior by projecting a skin-tight shield around themselves. They could also visit any planets where a shielded puddle jumper could survive. Her mission would now continue indefinitely, ensuring she would finish it one day. Ultimately, with the Replicators taking our place exploring the universe.
With the Replicators ability to make ZPMs, they too could have a stockpile meant for the Puddle Jumpers who went through the gate. This would allow for an almost impenetrable shield. They could be used to visit the worlds with gates that would be hazardous to carbon-based lifeforms. They would be able to survey all the planets the seed ships had put a gate on.
One more upgrade they would make would be to install Ancient Transporter Sensors onto the exterior of Destiny. The crew didn't want to change Destiny too much so in lieu of installing Ancient Drone ports, those rooms installed with Ancient Matter Creation Devices could be used to make the Ancient Drones. Each room would have their walls lined with empty storage racks like those on Atlantis. During battle, the Drones that had already been created would be beamed outside of the ship to attack its foe. Like all the vessels, city ships and facilities under the command of Homeworld Command, Destiny's entire interior was covered by transporter sensors.
There were talks of adding Asgard Plasma Beam Weapons, but many argued this wasn't a military vessel. It was an intergalactic exploratory vessel meant to peacefully study the universe. If she were seen as more of a threat than as some peculiar oddity that can defend herself, she might become more of a target and therefore get more attention than she wants. She would maintain the strategy that has ensured this vessel endured long before them, mainly with her impenetrable shields.
Now that she was in better than original condition, they would continue their journey. They jumped into FTL and traveled at Destiny's lowest speed as they waited for the three hour window to expire. Once closer in, they would be able to connect to the closest gates in the next galaxy.
Everyone was in the control interface room looking over the sensor data being transmitted from the gates in range. It was strange though, they were receiving information about a lot more gates than they were used to. Either these gates were more advanced than the ones in the previous galaxy or there was something definitely different about this one. Once they brought up the map they realized they were receiving telemetry from every gate in the galaxy, no matter its distance. Many of which boasted of environments ideal for carbon-based life. All of those also boasted of a variety of elements that could only be 'man-made'. It seemed that not only was this galaxy populated, it was densely populated.
The bridge crew was feeling both hopeful and cautious. They hoped they had seen the last of the Command Ships. They hoped they originated in that galaxy and had not ventured past it. But something tells me such vessels don't confine themselves so easily. This could, in fact, be their very galaxy of origin.
They could have been created long ago to combat an enemy so much more powerful they needed something that could rival the Wraith in numbers and these remaining vessels either followed them or ventured out in search of more technologies to destroy. They probably became inert because no life existed there anymore. Or they merely wished to subjugate an entire galaxy and this was the most expedient. They might have been created to fight off an invasion. Were they invaded by another galaxy? Could this, then, be the galaxy of their enemy? Would they be our friend or our foe?
They hadn't explored much of the last galaxy. There was so much they still didn't know. Some had discussed sending the Tinkerers to have a look after the war with the Wraith.
Not only were they receiving data from every gate, they had access to every gate as well. Just on the edge and they could already gate to the farthest gate on the opposite side of the galaxy. Colonel Young wanted to be hopeful about this, but chances were such a people or peoples could easily gain access to this ship. They clearly understood the gate system better than they could. Such a people were clearly very advanced.
Who were these beings who could not only make use of the gate system, but improve on it? From their present location, they had access to every gate in the galaxy. This seemed to be too good to be true.
"What if it's on our end? We have just overhauled the entire energy storage system. We could be seeing more gates because we have more power," said Eli.
"We're not just seeing more, Eli, we're seeing all of them. That wouldn't just be because we've got more juice," replied Rush. "While in the last galaxy we were able to connect to more gates, it's true, Destiny ultimately ruled most of them out."
"Maybe we should just try gating to one of the farther worlds and see what happens."
"And if they're hostile? If it really was because of them that the gate system works better, they would have no problem dialing us up and even though we got two Irises during the upgrades they could still be able to get past them. It could mean our deaths."
"Yeah, that sounds bad. Maybe we shouldn't."
"If we don't, we'll be stuck here on the edge. Eventually, we'll be rescued but who knows when that will be. If we don't follow the path the seed ships laid out for us, we'll quickly run out of resources with no means of replenishing them but from home.
The entire Earth fleet is now engaged in providing relief aid to an entire galaxy while also preparing to return to Pegasus. It could be months or longer before anyone could be sent to get us. While it's true almost any vessel could get to us, none can be spared right now.
Even the Copernicus-class vessels can't come and get us. Even though a good portion of the Milky Way is on better footing, hundreds are still in need of help. Ten are staying behind to help these worlds. Ten will be providing aid in Pegasus while the war wages. The remaining five are part of the war effort.
We either go forward, stay put or go backwards."
"Eloquent as ever, Colonel Young. But we are still just on the outer edge, we could check out the local neighborhood and get a general impression. Or we just skirt the outer edge of this galaxy, no need to pass through. It will take longer but perhaps safer. If they are just advanced enough to understand the gate system they might not be able to get past our defenses. With a supply line from home, we should be able to withstand almost anything they've got." finished Rush.
"Let's just gate to the closest planet and see what's what. We can jump into FTL at any moment if things seem hairy and come up with something when that happens."
The closest planet also boasted of the fewest elements out of all the planets. It was hoped that meant it was either abandoned or loosely populated. Of course, for all they know, it could just mean there isn't a huge presence around the gate.
They dialed the gate and sent the Kino through. Around the gate was nothing at all. The gate seemed to be completely abandoned. And there was nothing in the sights of the Kino. It seems this planet was completely abandoned.
It was decided they would visit this planet thanks to their new ability to create Puddle Jumpers. Scott, Greer, Eli and Alloron would pilot their shielded Jumper to view this world firsthand. Four more Jumpers would be sent out of phase to catalog the entire planet. With no countdown, meant they could take on this massive undertaking. They would easily be able to study the far side of the planet by travelling directly through it. It would take at least five hours.
Halfway through, a small outpost was found. It was well hidden and buried deep in the ground. Scott went to investigate. There were no doors or anyway to get in but by transporting. A Kino was beamed down by the team. The structure itself was big, but its corridors and rooms were no taller than three and a half feet. Not even enough room for humans to walk around comfortably. Several more Kinos were beamed down to map out the structure.
There were seven floors total with many quarters interspersed throughout. To get from floor to floor was nothing but holes in the floor, no ladders or other means to get up and down. There were what appeared to be a few offices and conference rooms but it didn't seem to be for anything other than a meeting place or as a place for a respite. There were no screens anywhere or buttons of any kind. The walls were bare and sparsely decorated.
They decided to send a Kino out of phase so they could take a peek behind the walls. Throughout they found technology they couldn't even really begin to believe. There were crystals but they seemed more needed to make a variety of colors. Inside greens, blues, reds, yellows and purples shone brightly. Tiny balls of light shot throughout the lights from and into the crystals. It looked like a brain interacting. It was far from anything they or the Replicators had ever seen and couldn't even begin to decipher even the tiniest component.
These lights were contained in honeycombs connected like a giant hive. Crystals connected each honeycomb through which tiny balls of light shot constantly throughout the entire facility. The honeycomb wound around the entire structure, above and below. On the exterior walls were hundreds of different sensors. The creators, if they still existed, probably knew they were here.
On their way back to the gate, they took more time to study the gate. The gate itself was not like the other gates they had encountered so far. Instead of the familiar Destiny-style gates, there stood something that bore a striking resemblance to the gates in the Milky Way Galaxy. They were built with naquadah. It was guessed to allow the gate to store more power at a time and thus allow it to form wormholes with farther gates. The gate otherwise still acted like other Destiny-style gates.
Off to the side was what clearly looked like a dialing device. It was a tall pedestal, bigger at the bottom, skinnier as it got to the middle and got bigger again towards the top. It rose to the middle of Scott's stomach and had a hexagonal shape on top. The top was slanted at a forty-five degree angle. Inside the hexagon were the gate symbols, all thirty-six, inside smaller hexagons.
They not only rebuilt the gate but also made their very own dialing devices. Who were these very short short beings with technology so alien it defies analysis? Their technology was nothing like the Command Ships which definitely gave the crew of Destiny a little hope. They still didn't know enough to feel confident though. Why were the pedestals so tall for beings who were so very short? They could still be hostile, far more hostile than the Command Ships.
With no signs of life or anything else of use, they decided to continue on into the galaxy. Mostly out of curiosity and because the thought of staying behind now that they were well shielded by the best the Ancients had seemed far too foolish. Her shields were just as powerful as Atlantis', even if she wasn't as well powered. She could still easily withstand a heavy assault. So far, the inhabitants didn't seem hostile. What we had found wasn't a military outpost, as far as we can tell.
Once everything was learned they returned to Destiny. The Jumpers were reabsorbed and the Replicators went to extrapolate what they could, if anything, from what they had seen. Anything of importance would be relayed but they weren't exactly optimistic. The scans from the jumpers yielded very little. They knew the facility was powered by some sort of naturally occurring crystal that was at least two thousand years old. They knew the structure had been constructed, but not how. Nothing more.
Negotiations went well and the royal family amiably accepted that a city be built for them with plumbing, large quarters and open gardens. They were especially amiable after they were shown a few interior designs with gold decorations, cutlery and embroideries interspersed among walls the same color as the city ship. The furnishings were luxurious throughout so even the poorest among them resided in quarters equal to that of the royal family.
They hoped one day to return and rebuild the various farms around the city so even the farmers may find luxurious comfort at home. Until then, they would be proud of the city they left behind. It would spread out like a spiral so that the city reached out far from the center. It would be built in the middle of their farmlands so that the city's 'arms' could spread out most of their length.
Ancient transporters like those on Atlantis would be interspersed throughout the city all the way to the tips of its spiral. With the very tip of each of the six spiral arms getting an Ancient Transporter Booth. Anyone in the city was only seconds away from any part of it. And those on the farms were not very far from the luxuries of city life.
For such a people, it was believed that they wouldn't be able to pierce the inner workings. To ensure they couldn't, any who attempted even the slightest intrusion would find the entire transporter system shut down for an hour. After that, another intrusion would shut the system down for three days, then three months, then forever by completely destroying all its components. We wanted to help them, not give them something to study.
The city would also be built much bigger than its current inhabitants needed so that they would have room to grow. The structure boasted of material completely resistant to stains and dust and would remain clean forever with or without residents. This planet would be closely monitored by the satellite network. Should the Wraith ever come, they would make a swift return to defend the city they were so very proud of.
It took all of two days for the royal family to readily agree to the trade, seeing as how their current home was almost completely depleted with no possible way of repairing it in sight. They had no way to make something that could power it. They knew they were never going to prosper stuck in a crumbling home. This offer was better than they could have ever hoped for.
Once everything was squared away, the Replicators immediately took to repairing the ship under the surface. The support structure was on the top of the list, then the engines and shields. Communication would also be repaired as soon as possible. The current inhabitants would be undisturbed as the city was repaired underneath them, the Replicators would avoid areas with their presence. The city would be completed a week before Olympus would take off from her surface. During this time the Replicators would repair those areas they couldn't get to before.
Less than a week after TF Atlantis was deployed to Pegasus, the Ancient City Ship was well under way to being repaired so she could make the journey home. In a few days, the Tinkerer would arrive to help rebuild the city and to help unbury her. They were given a deadline of three weeks. After that and the city ship would not likely be fully operational when the rest of the fleet was finished.
The city was built rather quickly because the Replicators had already written a program to assemble it in the most efficient way. While it was being built, eight Puddle Jumpers went to start unburying the city with their transporter beams. They couldn't beam as much away at a time, but they would certainly make a dent allowing the Tinkerer to more quickly remove the remaining dirt.
Many of her buildings had tumbled long ago, so only those which were needed for space flight were repaired. In the center, only stubs remained while on the spires, piles of wreckage lay on all three. A few buildings in the center were rebuilt but otherwise the surface was almost completely flat. It was a sad sight but Olympus would rise again, stronger than ever before.
The city got its name as a homage to the Greeks and the myths that formed their characters and culture, who ultimately shaped us as a people. Olympus was where very powerful, or maybe just more advanced, beings altered and affected the peoples of the world through indirect actions. The Ancients say they never interfere but is that to say they never do anything indirectly? A person diverted, or ship slowed just a little, a tire flattened - there were so many ways the effects of the world could be changed through their causes.
The Greek gods never acted directly in the lives of their worshipers, except by impregnation. We know some of the Ancients had children with the natives of Earth. The ATA gene wouldn't be present otherwise, except of course if it was put there purposefully through science.
We are not gods but the city was built by a race so much more advanced than us that they might as well have been gods. The name was meant to honor the vessel not the people in her insides. The name seemed very appropriate since she was acting in some part on behalf of her progenitors (those who came before and the ones who made us), to destroy the enemy they could not.
Less than two days shy of two weeks the vessel took off from the planet's surface, broke orbit and flew off into hyperspace. The ship performed as expected and easily navigated hyperspace. Four days later, she dropped out of hyperspace just outside of Ganymede. The shipyard has been complete for a few days and was in full swing producing replacement parts for the ship and her city on top. By the time she arrived, twenty percent of her structure had been created and stored.
The vessel stalked toward the celestial body while she was brought out of phase. She passed through her exterior and phased in. Tractor beams lining the walls moved her into place. It would take about two months to reassemble the old city ship with the help of thousands of Replicators and to refit her with the upgrades Atlantis already has. But she would be ready to go back to Pegasus with the rest of the fleet.
To speed up the process and to give the people of Earth another advantage in the wars of tomorrow, every Replicator would have sight-to-sight transporters installed. They would even be able to take at most ten people with them at a time. This would allow them to more quickly move around the city ship and shipyard.
They were even able to create a semi-plastic film, about as thick as a piece of paper, that you would apply to your skin. The film would be absorbed by your non-dominant arm. Among many other things, this would allow the individual to also be able to transport sight-to-sight. This device would provide a holographic 'heads-up' display, even over clothing, to use the transporter, to dial the gate or to scan the local environment. It was designed so that it could never be taken from a person and so that the technology wouldn't fall into enemy hands, even if the arm is severed. The device won't come off unless unlocked by the user and would decay with the body upon death.
Since it was impossible to steal, it was decided that these films would be installed with Merlin's phasing technology. The user would phase in and out by placing two fingers together on their arm and swiping, in whichever direction, so they could quickly get out of any situation. No back-ups would be stored, only those needed would be created. Every member of Homeworld Command was now well protected with the ability to phase and beam at their fingertips. Everyone at Stargate Command, on Atlantis and Destiny were now seconds away from the gate at any moment, or the Jumpers or anywhere else inside their range. They could also work with Transporter sensors on any planet or vessel to expand their range.
The Replicators would still be the only ones capable of taking vessels and structures out of phase because this required connecting with the vessel or structure directly. It also required more power than the films could provide. The Replicators powered their phasing with energy from the vessel or structure.