Chapter 7: The Great Asteroid
Interlude – Kottamia Observatory, Egypt, March 29, 9 M12
"Ahmed! Stop day-dreaming! What is the latest from the Fakir Shamsee telescope?" barked Dr. Gamal al-Hamid, Ahmed ibn Bana's supervisor and the section head for Solar System Astronomy. Ahmed groaned, "It's coming up now Doctor." When he was given the chance to work at Kottamia Observatory, the largest center for astronomy research in the Arab World, he was dreaming of the chance to plunge the depths of the stars. Much to his surprise he was assigned to work under Dr. al-Hamid cataloguing objects in the solar system. This, he thought, was not what he had in mind when he applied to Azhar University's Astrophysics program.
Ahmed picked himself and headed off to the observatory canteen. Even with the latest SSS systems in place it would take the computer some time to process, catalog, and plot the data from this scan. Kottamia, as part of a new UN program to better track in-system activity, worked in conjunction with observatories around the world to keep an accurate tally of everything floating from the Oort Cloud to the upper atmosphere. Officially the UN claimed it was intended to track satellite debris but everyone knew such information would be vital in the event of an alien attack. Ahmed, while aware of this, didn't find counting rocks and satellites to be terribly exciting or Earth-shaking work.
After filling up his cup at the samovar in the canteen Ahmed sat back down at his work station, poring over the results of the new scan. At first he didn't notice much out of the ordinary, having done so many scan reviews in the past three months. It was when he checked the Asteroid Belt objects that Ahmed felt a slow, creeping sensation in his stomach. He pulled up data from the last scan, comparing it to a sector of space just past Mars. A huge asteroid, easily the size of the dinosaur-killer that struck Earth 65 million years ago, had moved from its earlier position in the asteroid belt to just past Mars. Ahmed frowned in consternation; asteroids didn't move that fast in a matter of hours.
His stomach tightened as the error check software completed its calculations, assuring Ahmed the data on the screen was the real thing. Seeing the size of the object he immediately pulled up its projected stellar trajectory. In that instant Ahmed's heart froze as he shouted, "Dr. al-Hamid! You need to come see this right away!" Dr. al-Hamid walked briskly over replying, "What's going on Ahmed? You look like you've seen a ghost." Ahmed gestured wildly at the screen, "If these readings are correct then we are looking at the end of the world!" Dr. al-Hamid frowned, "Surely it can't be as bad as…" as his words trailed off, his eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He immediately reached for his phone, waiting impatiently for the thumbprint scanner to finish unlocking.
"This is Dr. Gamal al-Hamid at Kollitami Observatory! We've got an emergency situation on the solar objects scan! We have a confirmed sighting of a planet-killing object on course for Earth. I repeat we have a confirmed sighting of a planet-killing object!" Dr. al-Hamid put his hand over the phone for a moment and turned to Ahmed, "Get the data upload started now!" Ahmed, his mouth bone dry, hurriedly nodded his head and got to work. The sooner the information got to the UN Space Agency the better, with how fast this asteroid was moving every second mattered. Dr. al-Hamid closed his phone with a weary, ashen look. Ahmed turned to his supervisor saying, "Do you think this could be the doing of the Space Snakes?" Dr. al-Hamid wearily rubbed his face and sighed, "If it is I pray Allah will deliver us."
"The sighting of Ammit, one of the largest asteroids ever recorded in the Terran system's history, was a key turning point in human history. The events of this week were a powerful shared moment for all Terrans, a shared trauma eclipsing even First Contact. The Ammit Crisis, referred to by some as the Apocalypse, began on 05:35 +2 UTC March 29, 9 M12 when the Kollitami Observatory in Egypt first spotted the asteroid. Astronomers were astonished at the massive size of the rock, its speed, and most chillingly the lack of any prior indication of Ammit's existence anywhere in the solar system. This final element was truly disturbing for scientists at Kollitami and the United Nations Space Agency as Ammit was estimated to be 25 kilometers long, 15 kilometers wide, and 20 kilometers tall making it even larger than the object believed to have brought about the end of the Cretaceous Period sixty five million years ago.
The sightings and verification by observatories around the world were the first drops of a massive downpour. One of the many consequences of First Contact was a new wave of amateur astronomy organizations, telescope manufacturers, and conferences raising interest and awareness in the happenings of the stars worldwide. Many such organizations, assisted by the International Astronomical Union, worked directly with local universities and researchers putting amateurs in direct contact with the professionals. These hobbyists were the next to spot Ammit, sending information on the massive object racing through social media and email like wildfire. Within hours of the Kollitami sighting most of the world had high-quality digital images, accurate data, and the estimated trajectories plotted by researchers from around the world.
The impact of this information was instantaneous and enormous. The speed and sheer number of sources, perspectives, and data overwhelmingly proved beyond any doubt a crisis of unprecedented proportions was facing what was, at the time, the entire known human race. Faced with the prospect of complete, total, and undeniable oblivion humanity responded in a number of ways. Some responded with grim determination to somehow defeat this imminent threat. Others descended into bacchanalian orgies of consumption, intent on meeting the end of the world with a final moment of pleasure. A few resigned themselves to the end.
Those who raged against the coming night reacted to Ammit's arrival with ferocious determination. Spontaneous community meetings erupted across the planet as people debated what, if any, actions could be taken in the face of the coming demise. Military, emergency service, and law enforcement personnel were mobilized on a global scale with the vast majority, contrary to the expectations of some, reporting for duty. In much of the USA, the EU, Russia, and the PRC old nuclear fallout shelters, constructed during the Cold War, were re-opened either on the initiative of local officials and community groups, re-stocked, and made ready to take in huge numbers of refugees. Many of the world's religious practitioners flocked to their houses of worship, holding twenty four hour services and rituals for their adherents beseeching whatever higher powers they revered for deliverance. The most famous examples were Pope Luke's continuous service lead from Vatican City and the 14th Dalai Lama's global vigil.
The spontaneous, grim revels erupting in the wake of Ammit's sighting, dubbed "Earth's Wake" by American news broadcaster Dan Rather, make up the aspect most commonly depicted in modern popular culture of those dark days. These spontaneous, morbid, and grim celebrations were very much a desperate act of escape inspired by the seemingly impending destruction of the human race. Groups came together in spontaneous sendoffs for Earth and the human race. Some of these, such as the San Francisco, Puerto Vallerta, Paris, Bali, and St. Petersburg street festivals, blended together into larger spontaneous carnivals of excess.
In some cases communities broke out in rioting and violence as many took what they felt was their last chance for resolving standing grievances. In some places simmering tensions and unrest boiled over into outright revolution as the dispossessed, downtrodden, and defiant seized their last chance for justice. The Pakistani Civil War was easily the most brutal example of such upheaval. For years the Pakistani government was skirting closer to the edge of disintegration thanks to the increasing power of military factions, led by Inter-Services Intelligence, and the decline of the civilian government's influence. The Musharraf Coup and growing conflict in Afghanistan between the Taliban and their rivals, where the ISI was heavily invested, destabilized the precarious situation setting the stage for what followed under Ammit's shadow. Shortly after news of the asteroid arrived tribal forces in the north and the people in the major cities spontaneously rose up. Rallied by a host of leaders, both religious and secular, these groups swiftly overwhelmed the unprepared Pakistani military. Within hours the government was forced to flee, receiving sanctuary in the African Union as the country collapsed into total disorder.
A handful responded with total resignation. Millions worldwide, viewing the coming asteroid as an unstoppable end, reacted with a fatalistic acceptance of the end. Suicides, both individual and mass, soared during the first hours of the Ammit crisis continuing for the rest of the week's unfolding terror. In some places murder-suicides, often involving whole families, spiked as many ended the lives of their loved ones on what they felt were better terms than the horrors the asteroid would bring. Others sought out family, old friends, and others to spend time with in the world's final moments.
Civil order was breaking down as Ammit hurtled towards the planet. Authorities, for their part, responded by working to keep essential traffic and work moving. Anything unrelated to these vital tasks was largely left to its own devices as the asteroid moved closer. All of the rising tensions came to a head when the Planetary Defense Commission came forward. At 11:00 UTC on March 29 the leaders of the PDC member nations revealed the existence of the Stargate to the world."
From Chapter 6: Apocalypse, The Future is Out There: A Cultural History of the Turn of the Millennium by Prof. Travis Wingate, published in 59 M12
*The leaders of the Planetary Defense Commission members are seated at a large table in the UN General Assembly chamber, each with their national flag in front of them and a small nameplate. Al Gore, President of the United States of America, is standing at the podium.*
PRESIDENT AL GORE: Representatives of the members of the United Nations, leaders of the world, and people of Earth. We come to you in this planet's darkest hour to reveal a great secret that has been kept to better secure our planet's defense.
In 1994 a team of US military researchers, scientists, and archeologists successfully activated an alien device first discovered in Egypt. This device, known as the Stargate, transported them to another world thousands of lightyears from Earth in a single instant. It was through this discovery that people from Earth first encountered the Goa'uld and their agents.
Since then war has raged between our peoples. In the wake of First Contact we reached out to our most trusted allies and others who had discovered this truth. Together we have engaged in operations to acquire Goa'uld technology, reverse-engineer it, and find ways to apply these advances to better secure the defense of Earth.
Though many involved in these efforts have questioned the wisdom of revealing this information the impending disaster for humanity is too great for this to remain secret any longer. As we speak a team of the best of the Stargate Program's operatives is preparing a mission with a captured alien craft to plant an explosive on the asteroid known as Ammit and divert its course from Earth.
This, however, is not enough to safeguard the future of our world. Through the Stargate Program we have established a network of safe, offworld outposts on worlds fit for human habitation. To prepare for the possibility this operation may fail the participants in the Stargate Program have agreed to do whatever we can to evacuate as much of the human race from Earth to offworld sites as possible. Though we cannot save everyone we will do all we can to guarantee the future and survival of the human race.
We ask now that all the nations and people of the world come together in the moment of our planet's greatest crisis. We must all work together in this dire moment or else we will surely perish.
Transcript from the live BBC Broadcast, 11:00 UTC March 29
"The Ammit Crisis was a major turning point in Terran economic history. In a single week everything once taken for granted was turned upside down. This should not be surprising as the arrival of Ammit was an existential threat like no other. The rapid spread of information, amplified by the 24 hour news cycle and Internet-enabled word of mouth spread, heightened fear and tension the world over. The reactions of humanity, the effective global state of emergency, and the breakdown of civil order in several places wrought enormous economic chaos. The disclosure of the existence of the Stargate Program, coupled with the plans for planetary evacuation, threw everything into a vicious fever pitch.
Worldwide the response of the holders of capital and wealth was near-universal. Easily liquidated assets were sold off as rapidly as possible. Everything from stocks and bonds to businesses and real estate went at fire sale prices. Markets and exchanges the world over fell apart as the floor of capital holding them up crumbled under them. Bank accounts were drained as the wealthy, well to do, and even those with a handful to hang on to pulled out every single scrap of money they could. Financial institutions, facing a run of unprecedented proportions, simply imploded in the face of the crisis.
Many tried to use these newly-freed assets to purchase their way onto the evacuation groups. In many cases this would be futile as most governments used a skill-based rolling lottery similar to pre-existing forms of mass conscription. Others spent it on whatever they thought could bring them safety or at least some comfort from the coming asteroid. Fallout shelters and nuclear bunkers saw thousands flocking to their doors offering huge amounts of money for a chance at escape. Others expended truly prodigious sums of monetary and fiscal resources on the famous revels of Earth's Wake, adding a lavish and carnivalesque air to the desperate revels shaking the world.
As trade ground to a halt, banks shut, and businesses closed many reacted in a different fashion. The vast numbers of unemployed and underemployed, living literally paycheck to paycheck to stay alive, responded in a very different fashion from those seeking to get one last use out of their wealth. These working masses, dispossessed by the changes to modes of production during the previous decade, struck back against circumstances by taking direct control of their now-idle workplaces. Farmworkers took control of fields, miners laid claim to their mines, sailors seized ships, and manufacturing workers appropriated factories.
Historians debate to this day why so many people responded to the seeming end of the world. There are some, like Roger Perrit, who claim these actions were a desperate attempt to assert some control over their lives. Unlike the well to do or those on a higher lottery category for evacuation the great masses of Earth had few options outside of the world's final send-off and responded by taking control of what little they could. Others, such as Akita Kurasawa, see this as a more deliberate and hopeful course of action. The promise of the asteroid's aversion by the world's leaders coupled with the sudden flight of the former owners of these assets inspired many, influenced by the growing pool of economic theories propagated by the Globalist movement, to take direct action.
The case of the seizure of the Tesla Automotive Works in Fremont, California is often used as proof of the latter theory. Recently laid-off factory workers, upon hearing news of CEO and Founder Elon Musk's successful purchase of a slot bound for Delta Site, surrounded the building and rapidly gained entry. After taking control of the factory the workers released a manifesto articulating exactly why they took actions denounced by contemporaries as drastic and unjustified. It concluded by arguing,
"Even though we face what could very well be the last days of our lives and of the entire world we can never abandon the pursuit of justice and a better life for all. If the world does end in the coming days then we will face it certain we never abandoned the most essential calling of all people."
From Chapter 5: The Ammit Crisis, Globalization and First Contact by Prof. Dipesh Iyer, published in 48 M12
"Ammit's sighting caught Stargate Command offguard but not flat-footed. The long struggle with the Goa'uld during the post-Contact period pushed the personnel of the SGC to consider any and every possibility. New discoveries, technological marvels leftover by the Ancients and those crushed by the Goa'uld, and the constantly shifting Succession War forced SGC officers and personnel to think on the fly. It was from these experiences Stargate Command's famous reputation for improvisation and adaptability first developed. Even still the Ammit Asteroid proved to be a formidable challenge for the SGC. During those critical seven days the fate of Earth and all of its inhabitants was in the PDC's hands.
The initial projections for Ammit predicted it would make direct impact with Earth seven days following its sighting, giving very little time to mobilize any assets not immediately at the ready. Computer simulations, data projections, and wargames concluded at the present velocity and disposition of space-based and Earthside total obliteration of the asteroid was neither possible nor desirable. Even the newest models of naquadriah torpedoes were insufficient in quantity or explosive power to completely destroy an asteroid of Ammit's size and density. Planners estimated large chunks of asteroid would break off during the resulting volley and pummel the planet, causing considerable civilian casualties and permanent environmental damage.
These greatly undesirable consequences forced the PDC to consider a different set of options. It was in these desperate moments the personnel of SG-1 offered another option. They argued it was possible to use Earth's only fully operational Tel'tak to fly onto the asteroid, plant a specially prepared shaped naquadriah bomb in the right location, and knock the asteroid onto a course away from impact. It would take time to prepare the bomb and survey Ammit but, unlike the space-based plan proposed by fleet officers, could be put into effect faster even with these factors taken into account.
Ultimately the PDC settled on a plan that was a hybrid of both. Operation DRAGONSLAYER consisted of two major components. SG-1 would fly Terra's sole Tel'tak with the shaped naquadriah bomb to the surface of Ammit, arrive and plant the bomb two days prior to impact, set the timer, and fly away as fast as possible. If, for whatever reason, the shaped detonation failed to adequately redirect the course of Ammit System Defense Ships armed with naquadriah and naquadah torpedoes would fire volleys of all ordnance available. One way or the other Earth would be saved.
On April 4 DRAGONSLAYER went into action. During the previous hours and days SEWACS tracked the location of Ammit giving the waiting personnel in the SGC minute by minute reports on its exact location and trajectory. Four System Defense Ships, the Yangzte, the Mississippi, the Thames, and the Rhine, were loaded up with Earth's entire naquadriah weapons arsenal and spent the previous days maneuvering themselves directly between Ammit and its expected position. Operations were coordinated directly from Cheyenne Mountain with General George Hammond in personal command of all aspects of DRAGONSLAYER.
At 0525 UTC SG-1's Tel'tak, codenamed BLACK ARROW, landed on Ammit's Earth-facing surface. As the bomb was loaded onto its robotic lifter Maj. Carter performed a series of scans to pinpoint the precise location for implanting the warhead. It was during these scans DRAGONSLAYER ran into its first major snag. The Tel'tak's scanners picked up distinctive, unmistakable traces of naquadah radiation. When Maj. Carter further analyzed the data she concluded, much to everyone's shock, Ammit's mass was 99.98% refined naquadah. Further scans by the Tel'tak detected the presence of a small naquadah generator attached to a non-functioning but intact and unusually large Goa'uld cloaking device.
On 0624 this data was relayed to the ship commanders in orbit and Stargate Central Command. Analysts at Area 51 and Red Mountain concluded detonating the bomb or firing a single torpedo would trigger a chain reaction detonating the entire asteroid. Climatologists predicted even in the most optimal circumstances the resulting shockwave would fry Earth's atmosphere rendering the planet completely uninhabitable. Cheyenne Mountain was paralyzed with shock, trapped in a total no-win scenario.
At 0940 Maj. Carter and Teal'c contacted Central Command with a new, more audacious plan. They believed it was possible to overload the Tel'tak's hyperdrive and create an abnormally large subspace window. Actually attempting this had no guarantee of success and even if Ammit was successfully transported past Earth there was no way of knowing where it would emerge into realspace or if the Tel'tak would survive. In those tense moments General Hammond asked SG-1 if they were willing to undertake such a risk. Col. O'Neill, after less than a minute, replied, "We'll do whatever needs to be done. Just keep the flyboys ready to pick us up." For the next several hours Central Command held its breath as Carter and Teal'c reconfigured the hyperdrive for overload as Ammit came within visual range of Earth."
From Chapter 8: The Great Asteroid, The History of Stargate Command Volume I: Once More Into the Breach! by Major Kyle Schroeder, SGC, published in 54 M12
*Red Square, Moscow is packed with people. Jumboscreens are in place all around the Square as the lights around the Kremlin are all on. Spotlights are in the sky aimed at the last known position of Ammit, tracking the asteroid. The object itself is on display on the Jumboscreens, rendering it in precise detail.*
"IVAN GROZNY: This is Ivan Grozny with NTV reporting to you live from Red Square in Moscow. Tens of thousands pack the square and the surrounding streets keeping a close watch on the sky as the Ammit asteroid hurtles closer to impact. The last of those selected in the evacuation lottery have been loaded up leaving those of us still on Earth nothing left but wait.
President Vladimir Putin is standing watch himself in the Kremlin, awaiting the end of Russia and the world as we know it."
*Cameras zoom in on the highest balcony of the Kremlin. Putin stands with a pair of binoculars pressed against his eyes.*
"GROZNY: Churches and cathedrals across Russia are packed with worshipers praying for some miracle that may stave off the world's destruction. However people respond there is no question that-"
*On the Jumboscreens there is a brief, bright flash. As the flash clears Ammit is nowhere to be seen. The crowd reacts almost immediately with confusion and disbelief. Ivan Grozny puts his hand firmly on his earpiece, listening intently.*
"GROZNY: We seem to be getting some new information from Hilo Observatory."
*Grozny listens longer. Cameras zoom in on Putin who is deeply intent on his satellite phone.*
"GROZNY: We have confirmation! Ammit has been sighted in the skies over Hawaii on trajectory away from the planet! I can't believe it!"
*Crowd erupts in thunderous cheers, outburst, and tearful shouts of joy. Putin is seen openly weeping from his Kremlin perch.*
NTV Live Broadcast from Red Square, Moscow, 22:00 UTC+3 April 5 9 M12
"The instant Ammit was confirmed to be off-course and sailing away from Earth the entire planet exploded with shock, elation, and celebration. The grim revels of Earth's Wake rapidly changed tone and character from mournful goodbye to raucous joy. Spontaneous celebrations erupted across the world as the people of Terra shared a powerful moment. In the hours that followed the Planetary Defense Commission released what information could be safely revealed on the nature and actions of Operation DRAGONSLAYER, proving to Earth's inhabitants their deliverance was thanks to human action. The impact of this single moment is one scholars argue changed the course of history and humanity's self-conception more dramatically than any other.
In stark contrast to the shouting, happy crowds were the furious actions of the world's governments and the United Nations. The days leading up to the resolution of the Ammit Crisis saw economic chaos and upheaval unprecedented in human history. Vast amounts of capital had been liquidated, assets hurriedly and chaotically redistributed, workplaces seized, and financial markets were in total ruin. Compounding this were the political crises of revolutions, civil war in Pakistan carrying with it the threat of loose nuclear warheads, and the sudden dislocation of populations preparing for riding out the asteroid's impact. Ammit had shaken Earth to its foundations.
On April 6th, within six hours of Ammit's safe re-emergence from subspace on trajectory away from Earth, all of the UN member nations came together in an emergency summit in New York. The Planetary Defense Commission spent the next month briefing the representatives and agents of their governments on everything they knew regarding the Goa'uld, the System Lords, and the greater galaxy. The initial reaction was intense outrage at the secrecy and stakes the PDC's members were playing at, feeling this cavalier attitude put all of Terra in great danger. Hand in hand with disclosure came increasingly up to date and complete information on the socio-economic situation of planet Earth. The prospects were very grim.
The New York Summit led to a number of sweeping, dramatic reforms for planetary governance, policy, and unity. The first major reform of the Summit was S/RES 1871 and A/RES/63/275 collectively known as the Planetary Defense Act. This agreement stipulated the operations of the Planetary Defense Commission would now come under UN scrutiny and direct control forming the basis of the new Department for Planetary Defense. General George Hammond, the commander of DRAGONSLAYER and most experienced officer in offworld affairs, was chosen as the first Chief of the Combined Chiefs of Staff for the DPD. The second major reform from the Summit was S/RES 1874 and A/RES/63/281 better known as the Planetary Reconstruction Act. The PRA gave the United Nations Secretariat the authority to resolve the economic chaos sweeping the planet, entrusting these duties to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Making these massive plans possible was one of the most far-reaching reforms to the United Nations in its entire history. S/RES 1873 and A/RES/63/279, known as the Global Revenue Act, approved direct taxation and contributions by the UN of member-nations to fund the DPD and DESA's activities. These funds, at this time, were expressly limited for use in planetary defense and economic reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. On paper the UN was to assist national governments in making all of this happen. In practice the chaotic situation and considerable resources now vested in the global organization gave them a great deal of influence in what happened and how.
These negotiations further cemented the primacy and status of the superstates in the new global order. S/RES 1870 and S/RES 1872, requested by India and the governments of Africa respectively, authorized the deployment of Peacekeepers in enormous numbers to assist in stabilizing regions rocked by upheaval during the Ammit Crisis. African Union forces supported by 350,000 Peacekeepers entered Uganda, Zaire, Nigeria, and Liberia effectively imposing martial law and paved the way for reconstruction efforts to begin. Indian troops, backed up by 200,000 Peacekeepers and troops from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, marched into what was once Pakistan and Afghanistan and worked to put a halt to open conflict.
It was also at the Summit the first steps to a galactic colonization policy were taken. S/RES 1875 and A/RES/63/283 declared all offworld possessions of Earth's national governments were officially under the administration of the United Nations Secretariat. These were provisionally placed under the Office of Offworld Affairs, a new branch of DESA, who would be responsible for surveying, administering human settlement, and maintaining the infrastructure of offworld possessions. The OOA found itself facing a huge task of sorting out the newly-settled evacuees and how to handle future migration to these possessions. These problems, along with the other initial reforms at New York, would see more permanent solutions implemented at the famous Nairobi Convention."
From Chapter 4: The Road to Unification, The Origins of the Modern World by Prof. Andrea Masters, published in 61 M12
"As the Ammit Asteroid hurtled for Earth other major developments were unfolding in the galaxy at large. Just as Earth was developing a new sense of shared, collective identity the decline of the major powers in the interstellar political world was entering a period of increasing intensity. The Goa'uld Succession War had wrecked the Empire, leaving much of its territory in shambles. Across Goa'uld held territories Jaffa and human slaves rose in rebellion increasingly frequently scoring several unexpected victories. Mirroring these changes the Asgard saw their stalemate with the Replicators take a turn for the worse as the growing number of machines wore down Asgard defenses and military forces. Humanity, in contrast, was seeing increasing cohesion and opportunities emerge as Earth's growing reach pulled elements of the Great Diaspora together.
The Goa'uld Empire, already in a state of extended and bloody turmoil, was entering a new period within the extended war. The fall of Apophis and Sokar's bloody war had greatly upset the existing balance of power making it possible for previously minor System Lords to rise to unexpected influence. The ebb and flow of war dragged more worlds into the conflict as either participants, sources of necessary material, or battlefields. Upsets during the course of this conflict, like the death of Kronus at the hands of the SGC, further complicated an unstable situation causing dramatic swings in the fortunes of all participants.
The increasing destabilization of the Empire brought with it a rise of internal disorder and conflict unexpected and unprecedented in Goa'uld history. The growing disaffection among the Jaffa, loss of resources, and increasing deprivation on numerous worlds across the empire spurred a new wave of violence throughout the galaxy. Many Underlords and Planet Lords, facing increasing demands from their liege lords and decreasing capacity to meet these strict requirements, were forced to resort to unexpected measures to keep their personal forces and resource flows moving. The less powerful of these Lords resorted to smuggling, black market trade, and other informal economic mechanisms for shoring up their domestic and military situations.
The growth of this galactic black market spurred new responses to meet the demands of increasingly voracious Goa'uld administrators fighting over shrinking pools of resources. The most well-known, violent, and devastating was the rise of interstellar piracy. System Lords, Underlords, and Planet Lords all approached the problem of declining economic production by finding new ways to pillage their rivals and enemies. In the most overt expressions many System Lords sponsored privateers, both in the form of their own troops detached for such duties and those of defecting or mutinying forces from the ranks of their foes, to raid the territories of their enemies for slaves, resources, and other necessary war materiel. Underlords and Planet Lords joined in, sponsoring more clandestine operations against the resources of the enemies of their liege lords as well as rivals who were nominally allies in struggle against other System Lords.
The growing black market and privateering inspired a wave of genuine piracy across the Empire. Many privateers, discovering the wealth and resources moving through the black market, came to the conclusion they could do better striking out on their own than giving a large cut of the proceeds to their sponsors. Even the seemingly indefatigable and unquestionably loyal Jaffa tasked with these assignments undertook their own side projects. The most powerful and confident set up outposts in hollowed out asteroids, distant planets, and other boltholes across the galaxy. These raids operations forced many System Lords to pull back troops from the front lines to maintain internal order. One particular tactic of the raiders, attacks on Goa'uld communications satellites and planetary relays meant to delay the arrival of enemy reinforcements, further crippled the Empire's ability to function forcing System Lords and Underlords to rely more and more on interstellar couriers to deliver vital information.
In this context of growing destabilization it is understandable why not only the System Lords but the Tok'ra and Terran intelligence completely misunderstood the significance of a growing series of large-scale assaults across the Empire. These forces, much like the pirate and privateer operations, targeted enemy communication systems and more isolated outposts of Goa'uld power that nonetheless played vital logistical and economic roles for their former owners. Unlike these forces none of the attacks were preceded by the usual demand for tribute and surrender on the pain of assault or was it announced who was participating in the attacks. These forces came out of the depths of space, struck at vulnerable targets, and forcibly occupied many worlds in a seemingly random, unpredictable pattern. The strength of the attacks, their similarity to pirate raids, and the greater threat posed by rival System Lords prevented any cohesive response from developing, giving space for these unidentified forces to consolidate their position across the galaxy.
Across the vast gulfs between galaxies the Asgard were facing their own stark challenges. Unlike those of the Goa'uld their war with the Replicators was taking on an increasingly existential edge. Where once it was possible for the Asgard, thanks to the firepower of their ships and sophistication of their technology, to hold the Replicators at bay the circumstances were changing. As the Replicators seized more worlds, in particular ones totally uninhabitable to the Asgard but viable for machines, their resources accumulated and the size of their forces grew. Soon their armies and fleets reached levels where they were simply too vast for the Asgard to effectively contain. What was once a bloody stalemate turned into a war the Asgard were slowly losing. World after world fell, fleets were trounced, and the Asgard watched as their once-mighty civilization began to crumble before their eyes.
In response the Asgard increased the militarization of their resources, amassed more ships, and put many projects once seen as critical to their survival on the backburner to focus solely on the war effort. It was in these circumstances the Asgard received word from Terra of the Ammit Asteroid, the presence of a Goa'uld cloaking device, and the asteroid's chemical composition. This forced a major change in Asgard policy regarding Terra. The Ammit Asteroid, had it been successful, would never have aroused Asgard suspicions. Its deflection and the discovery of its true nature was another matter completely. Facing an increasingly desperate military situation at home and clear evidence at least some of the System Lords were no longer intimidated by Asgard power the High Council voted to provide unprecedented military and technological aid to Earth."
From Chapter 7: The Beginning of the End of the Great Galactic Powers, Political History of Our Galaxy by Prof. Li Feng, published in 59 M12
"The Ammit Asteroid Resolution of the Asgard High Council, hard on the heels of Full Disclosure, was a major transformative moment for Terra. In the years leading up to the Ammit Asteroid Resolution Terran technological progress on true, interstellar travel remained an elusive and much sought after objective. Researchers at Omega Site and Earthside encountered numerous difficulties in effectively reverse engineering Goa'uld hyperdrive technology. The main problems were those of producing sufficiently massive amounts of energy for creating the subspace window needed for travel and keeping the volume of power from causing serious internal damage. The Stargate remained the main avenue for interstellar travel for Terra, limiting what could be done and leaving many human worlds highly vulnerable to Goa'uld stellar assault.
The Gift of the Asgard changed all of this. As Terran officials were meeting In New York to discuss the future of their world the Asgard arrived, rather dramatically, aboard three warships. Led by Supreme Commander Thor this delegation beamed directly into the main conference hall to present the highly unexpected but much appreciated offer of technological aid. The Asgard, fully aware of the limitations of human technology at the time, came bearing the gifts of viable hyperdrive systems, more sophisticated and efficient reactor technology, new leaps forward in Artificial Intelligence technology, and energy shield generators considered up to par to the most potent of Goa'uld weaponry.
What was most critical of the Asgard's Gift for Earth was not just the technology provided but how it was done. Contrary to the assumptions of many science fiction writers of the time and before understanding alien technology was not a simple matter of plug and play, easy analysis, and direct adoption. Some of the systems and materials used by the Goa'uld and Asgard were several major scientific leaps ahead of Terran understanding. Others employed scientific principles that were completely beyond any hope of understanding. The Gift of the Asgard circumvented these problems by providing equivalents to their own technology that was designed using knowledge and materials Terran scientists could understand and replicate.
The most profound impact of the Gift was in the field of power generation. As sophisticated as superconducting materials, naquadah fusion, thorium fusion, and new forms of renewable energy were Asgard improvements provided a number of boons. The most critical was the data and materials necessary for stabilizing fusion reactions. More stable fusion reactors made it possible for human scientists and engineers to dramatically improve how much energy could be safely produced. Improved processes and growing miniaturization made reactors more compact and portable.
The technologies used to overhaul fusion saw similar applications in renewable energy, greatly increasing the amount of energy captured and reducing size. The best example of these major leaps forward was the public release of microsolar panels. Microsolar panels were the first examples of solar power on a microscopic scale. The first microsolar panels packed hundreds of cells into the space of a single post-Contact period cell, increasing power generation capacity and the redundancy of solar systems. Planetside microsolar arrays provided people with critical power generation capacity for immediate infrastructure construction and residential electrical systems. In space starships and orbital installations used these systems to power life support, backup power batteries, and artificial gravity leaving more heavy-duty tasks like weapons, engines, and shields to the far more powerful fusion reactors.
Hand in hand with the major leaps forward in energy generation were new developments in computer programming. SSS systems, combined with new improvements to design offered by the Asgard, resulted in great strides forward in terms of processing power, speed, and capacity. These new developments came together on February 8th 10 M12 when Silicon Valley researchers working hand in hand with Prometheus Research Base announced the development of the first generation of genuine AI. Compared to earlier proto-AIs first generation AI was the first example of truly self-aware, adaptable, and flexible programs. These AIs were capable of effectively managing difficult, unpredictable tasks like managing reactors and coordinating public transit systems.
The results were major leaps forward in starship design, capabilities, and technology. The main obstacles to effective hyperdrives and interstellar vessels were the critical lack of reliable, stable, and easily managed power systems. Asgard assistance in the fields of power generation and AI made it possible, for the first time in Terran history, for ships to travel at faster than light speeds without the use of a Stargate. The development of the hyperdrive is seen by many technological historians as the true turning point in the Interstellar Revolution, consolidating the star of faster than light travel, renewable energy, AI, 3D printing, and fusion power. Others argue the prior developments of the post-Contact period made the Interstellar Revolution possible with hyperdrive as the culminating moment confirming this.
Three ships were seen as the hallmarks of the first Unification-era vessels and set the tone for Terran interstellar vessel design. Terran ships were built with two major concerns guiding their design philosophy. The first was the preservation of the ship as best as possible. Ships represented a major investment for Earth during these early years and needed to be as resilient and easily salvaged as possible. The second major concern was preserving their crews. Crews were just as critical as ships consisting of highly trained specialists who were difficult to replace. To meet these needs vessels had airtight internal compartments, long duration escape pods, and thick armor. Unification-period ships were known for their simple, rugged design, use of manual backups and mechanical failsafes, and ease of maintenance. Ships also came with on-board hydroponics labs, fish tanks, and kennels for chickens and goats to provide a steady supply of fresh food for the crew.
The best example of these principles was the United Nations Starship Unity, the first of the Unity class of Starcruisers who was first launched in 10 M12. The Unity was a sizeable vessel, measuring a total of 250 meters in length, 65 abeam, and topped out at 60 meters in draft from top to bottom. It was equipped with a fully functional hyperdrive, EM drives for sublight propulsion capable of reaching 0.1 lightspeed, and was powered by a combination of armored microsolar arrays and a naquadah fusion generator sheathed in a military grade Faraday Cage. Its armaments loadout was quite formidable, consisting of four 25 centimeter twin rail cannon turrets, placed fore and aft on the dorsal and ventral positions, six naquadriah torpedo launchers in two sets of three placed fore and aft, and a total of forty 75 millimeter point defense quad railguns scattered across the ship. Unity had a crew of 250 along with a contingent of 100 marines and was capable of operating without re-provisioning for a year.
The Unity paralleled the launch of two major Terran civilian ship designs that went hand in hand with the Unity. The first was the celebrated Acorn class colony ship. Acorns were 300 meters long, 100 meters abeam, and 75 meters in draft. Equipped with dual fusion cores Acorns had heavier shields, fast sublight engines, and a great deal of redundancy and equipment devoted to their longevity. Acorns were capable of carrying 10,000 passengers in relative comfort along with having cargo space for critical construction equipment. These ships worked side by side with the equally well-known Galleon class cargo haulers. Measuring in at 400 meters in length, 100 abeam, and 75 in draft Galleons were capable of carrying a total of 50,000 TEUs[1] snugly and securely in their massive holds. These ships came with a handful of point defense batteries, depending more on military escorts, hyperdrives, and powerful shield generators to ward off attack.
These new ships were the foundations of Terran interstellar development during the Unification period. With as much attention as these faster than light vessels attract in the public's imagination they were greatly aided by new developments in sublight vessels. The two best examples of these improvements were the Durin class mining ships and the Cossack class System Defense Ships. Durins, who first cut their teeth on the remnants of the Ammit Asteroid following the Asgard's careful dismantling of its mass into small, manageable chunks, made it possible for Terrans to extract huge amounts of minerals off-planet and without the downsides of Earthside mining. Cossacks, now equipped with the latest in fusion reactors, shield generation, and rail cannons, were far more formidable vessels and capable of operating at far higher speeds compared to their earlier predecessors."
From Chapter Six: Leaping Across the Stars, The Interstellar Revolution by Prof. Eduardo Garza, published in 55 M12
[1] Twenty foot equivalent units, the standard modern day shipping container