Here's the next chapter for you all, questions will be answered and others will be asked. Note: I only own what characters i create, the names and places i invent and the ships and vehicles i seem to be designing in droves for this single story.
I would like to thank AlexanderD for all his help and i strongly recomend reading his story New Dawn. I hope he likes the character named after him Admiral Alec Xander.
For those of you interested in what some of the ships featured in this story look like here are a few sketches on photobucket: .com/albums/ae166/Senrab_Nomis/
Please review and i will respond. Or alternatively post in the thread for this story in my forum. .net/topic/84023/35075481/1/
Review Responses
AlexanderD: If there is dullness in the stargate universe then its told to move along to make way for terror and excitement before anyone spots it. Who can say what the future holds for the coalition? Oh wait me, hee hee.
Shadows-of-Realm: We shall see. Or rather you shall see. I have already seen.
orionastro: It is a dream i would like to see become a reality. Maybe in the far future it may be possible but not right now.
Hydroplatypus: Some enemies cannot be easily crushed into the dirt. Its hard to smash an enemy to pieces though when you don't know where they are.
Shafter: Yes they are, they're just called the Zarinites because they were led by a man named Zarin and no one actually knows their name.
Malser: What an interesting word hornswaggled. I'll remember it for the future.
Pegasus – Tau'ri Mining System
The system was usually not so busy, even with the near constant shipments of resources the system rarely saw much ship traffic but now was a different story. The entire fleet of Asgard Beliskner-class vessels, all of them fifty of them, was sitting in system working to build the new Tau'ri space station under the watchful eye of the O'Neill. Half of the assembled ships had only recently arrived in the system having come from the Milky Way galaxy. There they had been picking the debris field, which had formally been the planet Abydos, clean of any all useful materials, and given that the planet had been one of Ra's naquadah mines naturally mainly consisted of naquadah. There were of course a number of other useful elements amongst the floating pile of rubble and all of them were collected as well courtesy of the large transport array mounted on the nose of the ship. The other half of the fleet had been at Asura performing a similar operation, with the priority material being neutronium. The station would require a lot of material for its construction and the remains of two planets certainly cover it, with the excess material being left in the hands of the Asgard. Neutronium was a vital element of Asgard technology and the Asgard needed it both for their own personal uses and for the numerous examples of Asgard technology that were being installed in the station.
The station was going to be a testament to what the Tau'ri and Asgard could accomplish when they pooled their collective knowledge and creativity. Thor had been leasing with General O'Neill and Colonel Carter about the base requirements for the upgrade for some time. The Averians had been kind enough to point out that the station would be easy enough to upgrade to utilise the more advanced technology after they had admitted that they were hesitant to hand over the complete plans for the station for only resources. The compromise had been only the superstructure plans with the insides stripped of any technology. Upon receipt of the plans the Asgard had then set about filling in the gaps based off of the requirements that had previously been discussed. As it turned out this wasn't such a hard job as one might think since it was mainly a matter of filling in the blanks with their versions of the technology as well as altering the plans slightly. The only major alterations had come in the form of expanding the arms of the station to be large enough to hold the Pegasus-class vessels that the Tau'ri now had in double digits. This was actually a lot easier than you might think since the arms themselves were designed to operate as independent sections, should they become damaged to the point that they would compromise the rest of the station. Enlarging them meant they simply had a few more entry hatches running along their length linking to the rest of the station but the insides of the arms underwent a slightly more interesting change though. The hanger bays remained the same layout wise but now featured industrial beams for ship repair and construction purposes and of course the fighter craft were being replaced entirely with fighter drones.
These drones were being placed under the management of the stations onboard AI control system, a programming replica of ISIS, housed in a highly advanced computer core of Asgard design that fitted quite snugly in the gap left by the Averian version. Even replacing the weapons array with the more powerful ones currently being utilised by the Tau'ri was easily done as they would be powered by neutrino-ion generators which were far more powerful than the ones the Averians had at their disposal, allowing for the weapons to be powered along with a significant increase in shield strength, a four fold increase as it happened. Deep space sensors, transport emitters, internal transport booths and matter synthesisers were also being included as part of the upgrade, with the latter allowing them the opportunity to replace the arboretum area with a full fledged bio habitat to give the crew somewhere to relax in. Creating a gate room identical to that currently on the Valley Forge was also an easy task since it just meant remodelling one of the larger cargo bays that were largely superfluous with the addition of matter synthesisers producing the stores they would normally hold. All that was required to accommodate these upgrades were a few extra and some slightly bigger power conduits to carry the immense amounts of energy being channelled towards the new systems. For added good measure they were even replacing the outer armour with a much stronger naquadah-trinium-carbon alloy to make the station that much harder a nut to crack.
It would take time but already the skeletal framework had taken shape as the collected materials were reformed into what was required. The fleet of ships swarming around it would sit completely still for another week, diverting all available power towards completing their task. The Beliskner-class might be highly outdated as far as the Asgard were concerned, but given that they had been mainly employed to sweep away the armies of Goa'uld who dared trespass upon protected worlds using their transporters they were more than suited for this task. In this system the Asgard were creating a masterpiece that would further remind the other races just what they were capable when they put their minds to it. The station would be a symbol of technological might that would be awe and terrify all those who beheld it.
Thor stood watching the construction of the station from the bridge of the O'Neill. The design station was impressive even without the addition of the new technology being installed. That the Averians had been able to construct the station in a distant star system was equally impressive. The humans of the universe were certainly a species to keep an eye on.
A beep from the control console indicated an incoming transmission. Turning to the console he brought up the message noting that Atlantis was the sender. Frowning as he read what he displayed, he quickly sent a reply and sent instructions to the rest of the Asgard fleet. Once receipt of the orders was acknowledged he powered his ships hyperdrive and set a course for Atlantis.
Milky Way – New Lucia
The planet tentatively being called New Lucia was a great improvement over the previous Lucian home. This new world was very Earth like, one of the many worlds that had supposedly been terra formed by the Goa'uld but in all likelihood was a product of Alteran efforts when they gifted the planet with a stargate. The planet had previously been uninhabited but that had all changed with the arrival of the former members of the old Lucian Alliance. In a flash of light they had found themselves deposited in a huge settlement built by the Asgard. The settlement was very reminiscent of Chulak, consisting of white stone buildings that hid the above average advanced nature of the world.
The numerous settlements scattered around the planet possessed electricity, running hot and cold water and even their own sewage system. Most notable was the fact that each settlement had a tall tower just on the outskirts so that it would not cast a shadow that was distinctly of Asgard design. These watch towers, as the Lucians were calling them, acted as a reminder that were being watched over and that they were being watched. Shortly after arrival the settlers were assigned homes and places to work that suited their skill set so the adults could work while the children would attend schools and the older children could undertake apprenticeships.
The new Lucian Alliance as it would called would want some form of independence as they eventually became more accustomed to their new circumstances and the Asgard had no intention of simply letting them remain under their thumb for their entire lives. Adopting the Jaffa's new currency system the Asgard had initially sold the Jaffa people a large number of resources for use in constructing new ships, armour and weapons and other none military building projects. Ironically the resources had come from recycling the captured Ha'tak and gliders while the captured Al'kesh and Tel'tac were sold whole. Using this currency the Asgard would pay the new Lucian workforce for their labours and allow them to take out set loans, without an interest rate, which would be used to buy food and other material goods as well as pay an interest free mortgage allowing them to eventually even buy their homes. Over time the Lucians would be free from debt and could even start their own enterprises, allowing them to expand beyond the confines of this world. Of course that was entirely possible anyway since the stargate had remained in place and the Lucians were free to leave if they so chose. Most, however, did not since the opportunity being offered to them was simply too good to pass up and leaving the world would mean they would be forced to survive in a galaxy that disliked them with only the clothes on their backs. Not a very welcome prospect. So they stayed on New Lucia and worked to build their fortune. Some more ambitious citizens even banded together to purchase businesses outright from the word go, and even applied for business loans, which did have interest rates, to expand them. It was a sign that progress was being made.
Once more and more people grew used to the situation a government would be formed, allowing for the Lucians to truly stand anew. The new leadership would be charged with negotiating for the Lucian people with other races, expanding their sphere of influence and even gathering a fleet of ships for their people to use. Taxes were of course what would fuel this new governing body. However the fear of the big businesses using their power to fund elections meant that it stated clearly that any business deals the new elected body performed would not be allowed to solely or majorly benefit the elected bodies or their funders personally. To allow such a thing would eventually mean that the businesses would control the government's actions, which was one step down the road to the old Lucian Alliance and renewed tyranny. This was really more of a formality for the early days, to encourage the Lucians that the government should be there to satisfy the needs of all the people and not the lusts for power of a select group.
This world would be guarded but there were no ships in orbit around the planet. With the incredible speeds the Asgard ships were capable of it was unnecessary to keep ships there twenty four hours a day. There was no threat of revolt from any elements of the populace that might not be content with their loss of power, to attack the Asgard watchtowers would be fool hardy at best and suicidal at worse. Not only were the towers equipped with suitable technology to neutralise any hostiles that might enter them but the android bodies of the Asgard were far stronger than any human could even hope to be. If that wasn't enough as a show of force they could always roll out the Titan battlesuit that can only be operated by an Asgard or Vanir as a show of force.
To sooth the wounded pride of the Lucians the Tau'ri would have no claim on this world, nor would they have a presence there. There would not even have ships in the system since it was unnecessary with the Asgard standing guard. Over time that might change as relations between the Lucians and the Tau'ri improved now that the two parties had no reason to fight each other. Besides for now the Tau'ri fleet had a far greater matter to deal with and a majority of the ships were headed for the Pegasus galaxy as a countermeasure to the threat the Zarinites opposed. It was just hoped that the most powerful fleet in the Milky Way would be sufficient force.
Atlantis – Briefing Room
It had taken awhile, in fact it had taken a long while which probably hadn't helped Todd's mood in the slightest, but all the key players in the Pegasus galaxy had finally gathered, having arrived by ship, stargate or even via Midway. Seated around the conference table were Woolsey, Colonel Sheppard, General O'Neill, Todd, Minister Jakose, Sovaer, Thor and Larrin. Sovaer was here because, as he put it, where the Minister went he went. Larrin on the other hand was here because apparently she had heard about the attack on the Wraith, a statement no one was questioning since the Travellers had many ears throughout the galaxy, and knew that the action would be on Atlantis. Ironically she hadn't been wrong, the city ship having become the de facto meeting place for the major powers in the last few years.
"Thank you for all coming," said Woolsey before Todd cut him off.
"If we can skip the pleasantries please I would like to get down to business," said the agitated Wraith, shooting a glare at the annoying human.
"Of course," Woolsey stammered. An angry Wraith was still pretty intimidating even if said Wraith could no longer suck the life out of you.
"You all know of the attack upon our world," Todd stated factly. "As I speak the Matriarch is preparing our forces for war against the Zarinites."
"And I'm guessing that you want our forces to assist you," said O'Neill. "Am I right?"
Todd looked at the human, as if sizing him up. "That is right. Now I have a question for you, who are you?"
"Lt General Jack O'Neill," said O'Neill, keeping his tone level. "And to answer the questions you haven't asked yet, I am Colonel Sheppard's boss. I am the one who will approve whether or not we join another war."
"Then I trust you can give me an answer as to whether or not you will be assisting your allies," Todd replied menacingly.
The Wraith are a hive mind society. True each Wraith has as much individuality as a human but each of their minds is linked allowing them to share thoughts and more importantly in this case feelings. Right now the feeling being felt by every Wraith is anger at the attack on their people and the lives lost as a result. Even blocking out the majority of that collective anger still leaves a fair amount when its source is hundreds of thousands of minds. To say that Todd was not in the best of moods right now would be an understatement.
"Look Todd it's not that simple," began Sheppard.
"Yes it is," Todd growled looking around the table. "The Wraith have followed the path you wished for us and changed our destiny to suit you. We chose to give up a part of ourselves that has been with us since our creation so that human lives would not be lost. Now I am asking you to help those you would call allies. Already many Wraith are dead and we feel that loss more strongly than your kind ever could. We ask your help so that we can end this war quickly before more lives are lost. Now will you help us?"
The question hung in the air, with each of the allies around the table hesitant to answer lest they earn another tongue lashing from the slightly unstable Wraith.
"Todd my people appreciate what you have done for us but it really isn't that simple," said Larrin. "We have few ships as it is and none of them are warships. If it comes down to a fight there is little that we can offer you and you know that for a fact."
Todd begrudgingly nodded.
"That is a truth I must admit but the same cannot be said for the rest of you," he said, looking at the more technologically advanced race members around the room.
"Todd," said Woolsey. "I believe there is a saying of my world that sums up our thoughts, the greatest victory is the battle not fought."
"Although I think you'll prefer, war is hell," added Sheppard.
"I've fought in enough battles in my time to know that if you can avoid fighting then you're much better off," said O'Neill. "Hell I'm sure you've fought enough of them too. My people aren't afraid of doing what needs to be done but if we can avoid bloodshed then we will. A war means casualties and that usually goes for both sides. When a war starts people get killed it's as simple as."
"The Asgard have fought enough battles in just recent history alone to know that what they say is true," Thor added.
"And you," Todd demanded of the Averian representatives. "What do you say? It was not that long ago that they attacked you. How many innocent lives were lost back that day? Are you willing to stand back and do nothing?"
Jakose met Todd's angry gaze with an impassive look of his own. "Many lives were lost that day and I would rather they were the only lives lost against the Zarinites."
"The situation is a lot more complicated than it seems," said Sheppard. "If three years ago we found out that a Wraith shipyard, that is producing tougher ships than ever before if your own ship is anything to go by, had been destroyed then odds are one of us would have been behind it. Back then we wouldn't have seen the loss of Wraith life as a bad thing because we didn't know any better and it's only now that we see things differently."
"The Zarinites deliberately isolated themselves from the rest of the galaxy so that they could build up their forces to face your people," said Woolsey. "It is more than likely that they are not privy to the same game changing news as we are. They attacked a military target that they deemed a threat and that is precisely what we would have done."
"We need to find them and we need to all sit around a table and make them realise the bigger picture," said O'Neill. "The Wraith aren't an enemy anymore, they have no need to be an enemy unless someone insists on trying to wipe them out."
"From what we know of Zarin he dedicated his life amongst our people to building a force that could fight the Wraith," explained Jakose. "It was only after his hunger for power and mad plan was revealed that he was cast out but before then he was determined to remove the threat to our people that the Wraith represented. Any society that he had founded would have also been dedicated to that purpose."
"They have been preparing to fight a war for centuries," said O'Neill. "And now that purpose is suddenly meaningless, and the odds are they don't know that."
"And what if they do know?" asked Todd darkly. "What if they know about the new Wraith and want to exterminate us anyway? What if you tell them the truth and they still think we should be killed to the last child because it is their duty? What then? What will you do?"
"If that is the choice they make," said O'Neill. "If they choose to wipe out a race that only wants to coexist peacefully with the rest of the universe? Then we will defend our allies."
"And the Asgard will stand with their allies the Tau'ri," added Thor.
"Hey we can't do much but the Travellers will do what they can," Larrin chipped in.
"And the Averians will support you all," said Jakose.
"Besides," added Sovaer with a smirk. "If they want you dead they probably won't like us much either."
Everyone chuckled at that. Even Todd managed a smile. The joke had served its purpose, it had helped loosen the tension.
Todd sighed.
"Very well," he said. "I will inform the Matriarch of your decision. A conversation I am not looking forward to."
O'Neill winced sympathetically.
"Well tell her that even though we're not declaring all out war I took the liberty of giving orders to have a very large fleet of ships sent here in case we find reason to use them. The last of them should be here within the week."
"Thank you," said Todd gratefully. "I appreciate that."
"Don't mention it," said O'Neill. "I may not want to see another war start but that doesn't mean I won't make sure we're ready to protect our allies."
"The Averian fleet is always ready for battle," added Jakose. "Should they be needed."
"And the Asgard can have ships sent here at a moments notice," added Thor.
"Again thank you all," said Todd.
"Quit thanking us and go tell your boss," said Sheppard.
"Also," added O'Neill. "You might want to remind want to remind her that as it stands we know little about the enemies military strength or even the location of any of their forces. Whilst we're trying to find them we can also gather information about them, information that we are going to need if we do have to fight a war against them. At the very least peace talks will give us a chance to find out more about them."
Todd smirked. "You are certainly a devious human aren't you?"
"That's why he's my boss," Sheppard replied with a smirk.
"Don't make me promote you to a desk Sheppard," O'Neill replied jokingly. "Now go Todd and tell your mother the good news."
With Sheppard in command of Earths Pegasus forces he arguably should be at least a Brigadier General to hold such a job. Of course as Sheppard had once said himself there are a lot of people who thought he would never make it to Captain, and said people seemed to be pretty high up the food chain in the air force. What Sheppard didn't know was that if any of them ever thought of mentioning that Sheppard shouldn't have such an important position O'Neill would respond by saying that he could always promote Sheppard to make things easier on the chain of command. Naturally they tended to then change the subject pretty quickly.
Todd inclined his head slightly then straightened and walked out the room.
"Well I have a few Admirals to brief so I think I will be getting back to Averia now," said Jakose. "Gentlemen."
With that he also left the room, with Sovaer in tow.
"Thor it looks like we have a change of plans," said O'Neill.
"Mister Woolsey also thought so," said Thor. "I take it you do not want the station to be moved to the void once it is completed?"
O'Neill shook his head. "No it looks like we're going to need to use it as a base of operations in this galaxy should things not turn out as we hope. For now I'd like to leave it where it is, once it's completed of course."
"The majority of the superstructure is already complete," explained Thor. "If I accelerate the construction schedule then I believe I can have the base completed by the time your fleet arrives."
"The Pegasus and Night Fury elements will be here in three days and the rest of the fleet in six. Can you really have the station ready by then?" O'Neill asked sceptically.
"If I have pre fabricated parts brought in instead of manufacturing them on site then yes it should definitely be possible," Thor assured him.
"Damn you guys are good."
"I appreciate the compliment O'Neill."
"They always try to do the right thing don't they," said Morgan.
"We all try to do the right thing," said Janus. "The problem is that what we think is the right thing may not be."
"Actions have consequences," said Oma.
"Something we all know very well by now I hope," said Morgan, receiving a glare from the other two in return.
"If it weren't for my actions then the Atlantis expedition would have all died and the universe would be far worse off because of it," argued an irritated Janus. "I regret nothing about what I did."
"I'm sorry ok," said Morgan apologetically.
"You went against the other rules yourself," Oma pointed out.
"Yes I did, because it was the right thing to do," said Morgan adamantly.
"Just as it was to help preserve the city and just as it is to assist good people ascend," said Oma. "We all have regrets and we will have to live with them for the rest of our lives but the point is we learn from them."
"You were originally against Merlin and took steps accordingly," said Janus. "Over time though you realised that he was trying to do the right thing and kept him alive so that he knowledge could one day be utilised. Now the Ori are gone and their worshippers freed."
"I get the point," said Morgan. "Now what are we going to do?"
"What do you mean?" asked Janus innocently.
"You know exactly what I mean," said Morgan. "What are we going to do about this new enemy?"
"The others will not allow us to interfere," said Oma. "The rules forbid it."
"Yet they let us carry on doing whatever we want," argued Janus. "They don't object to us helping people ascend do they."
"You know it is more complicated than that," said Oma. "We cannot change what is already done, we cannot use our powers to affect the lower plains."
"But if people ascend and then retake human form that's okay?" asked Morgan sceptically.
"Daniel made his choice, and the only reason he did so the second time was because he wasn't willing to just stand by and watch the universe go to hell when he had the power to change it," argued Oma.
"Besides the others won't let me help him again," she continued in a calmer voice. "He was the only one who actually voluntarily retook human form. Not even the people of Abydos did that."
"What happened to them anyway?" asked Janus. "You never see them around."
"They're their own little community, off in their own little corner," said Oma. "The others didn't really like them that much so they went to find their own place. They may have actually retaken human form for all I know, the others wouldn't allow me to find out."
"You did a good thing," said Janus. "So don't beat yourself up about it."
"You know why the others won't interfere though right?" asked Morgan.
Janus nodded. "They're afraid. Afraid of what they might become if they do interfere whenever they feel like it."
"They don't want to be like the Ori," said Oma.
"What does a powerful being fear more?" mused Morgan. "That they will be feared because of their power or that they will feared because of how they use it?"
"They don't want to turn out like the Ori so they'll just stand back and watch the universe go to hell as a result," said Janus disgustedly. "It's pathetic."
"Who are we to decide how the story should go," said Oma. "We have the power to sweep away an army if we so choose but that doesn't mean we should."
"It doesn't mean we should just do nothing though," argued Morgan.
"Here here," added Janus.
"You're right," said Oma. "But for now we do not know enough to act. We shall have to wait and see what happens. The allied races have a plan and it is a good one. For now we will just have to hope all goes well."
"And if it doesn't?" asked Janus.
Oma remained silent. She didn't have an answer to that, yet.
I know what some of you are thinking that peace is dull and no one is challenging the allies. Just bear with for the next couple of chapters and i will not disapoint, things are going to get very interesting.
Please review. Thoughts, suggestions, questions, all are welcome.