brayanamaya963: Gracias y buena salud a ti también. Veo que no soy el único que ya no recibe las notificaciones de Fanfiction... dicho esto, en este momento no recibo ningún E-mail, mi buzón de correo está roto... probablemente debido a 'Ciaran' (literalmente: 'príncipe de los infiernos' en Gaélico) una tormenta que se abatió sobre las costas francesas y que devastó Bretaña.
Ultimate Warrior of Zera: Yes, it's Hakuno, she's adorable and always willing to sacrifice herself to save others as she proved in Fate Extra. But her actual plan is far more complex than just saving the inhabitants of the planets threatened by the Wraiths.
Boyzilla: I don't know if it's a reference to Mass Effect. Actually, I doubt it, probably just a coincidence. In any case, the leader of AR-1 is called John Sheppard (with two 'P') born on June 14, 1970, lieutenant colonel of the United Earth Force, former member of SG-4. His position of leader of AR-1 (the equivalent of SG-1 in the Pegasus Galaxy) doubles as Chief of Security at Atlantis.
Hakuno's plan is indeed clever. After all, depriving the Wraiths of food does not necessarily mean killing humans.
By the way, I am surprised that no one asked why the Asurans evacuated the inhabitants using spaceships while they brought the inhabitants to a world connected to the Stargate network (even if it is a hidden world and using a 9 chevron address). Does anyone have an idea? A clue? Never forget that Hakuno has long since learned that the information you give to your opponents can cause your loss... hence the value of giving them false information. And then, Hakuno is like a genius chess player. With a single movement of a pawn on the board, she advances several strategies simultaneously.
Author's note: Again, thank you for your continued support and for your kind comments. About Teal'c and Bra'tac... I've only reused a typical Stargate plot. "Oh my god, the evil Apophis captured poor Teal'c, we have to save him..." and of course, the heroes succeed in-extremis rescue. If I was Apophis, I would shoot Teal'c in the head and throw him into the cosmic void five minutes after I captured him to get rid of the Shol'va permanently. But I guess that disqualifies me from playing the Big Villain in an American TV series because it's the classic behavior of bad guys. They always take their time to play with their defeated enemies (and, of course, during this time they tell them their super secret plan that will allow them to defeat the nice guys...) and after that, we wonder why the good guys always win at the end of the episode... * facepalm*.
A Messenger from Ida Galaxy
Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Stargate Project Support, level 21
The entire floor was an underground concrete labyrinth. The doors were painted blue and the lights that guided the guests were also blue. It was here that the infirmary, the operating rooms, the rooms where the members of the sick SG teams were placed in observation, as well as the isolation cells for the contagious patients.
Seeing Samantha Carter and General Hammond's arrival, Janet Fraiser put down the report she was reading and got up.
"General Hammond, Sam..."
"At ease, Dr. Fraiser, how are your patients?"
"I assume you mean Teal'c and Bra'tac... badly, I'm afraid."
Janet approached a backlit panel with two false-color images showing the abdomen of the two Jaffa.
"Their symbiotes have been tortured and have multiple wounds."
Sam's face twists in disgust.
"Teal'c has already told me about this form of torture... Seriously injuring a Goa'uld larva inside the abdominal cavity of a Jaffa is a way of condemning the host to a slow death, since the Jaffa have a deficient immune system."
Dr. Fraiser nodded.
"Especially since Teal'c and Bra'tac were also tortured and forced to work in a radiological environment. Their symbiotes have been unable to heal their own wounds in addition to theirs. They have exhausted themselves... and are now dying. I doubt they will survive another day and if I don't remove them quickly from my patients' bodies, their deaths will cause theirs."
There was a moment of silence, each reflecting on the implications.
General Hammond was the first to react.
"I asked the Tok'ra to look for Goa'uld larvae. All we have to do is pray that they succeed."
"Unscheduled Gate activation!"
As always, the alarm sirens started to roar as the red flashing lights in the corridors lit up. Several teams of Marines left the alert rooms to run into position in the two corridors leading to the Gate.
In the Gate Room, both fast-fire guns were ready to fire.
General Hammond and SG-1 descended the metal staircase from the briefing room to the control room.
Walter turned to Hammond.
"Sir, I'm getting a signal from the Tok'ra!"
"Open the iris!"
Three Tok'ra came out of Naquada's ring. The members of SG-1 who had run to the Gateroom were the first to welcome them.
Sam hugged her father, while O'Neill smiled.
"Did you have a good trip, Jacob? And above all... you bring us good news?"
With a gesture, he pointed to the strange metal briefcase carried by the host of Selmak.
But Jacob Carter replied with a faint smile, visibly uneasy.
"If you're asking if I'm bringing back Goa'uld larvae, the answer is no."
The attitude of the three SG-1 members changed suddenly, their smiles disappeared.
"I know what you're thinking. But since the beginning of the Jaffa revolt, the Goa'uld no longer leaves their larvae in buildings open to all and unsupervised. It has become very difficult to get symbiotes."
He turned General Hammond as affected as his subordinates.
"Nevertheless, we hope to be able to save Teal'c and Bra'tac. Lead me to them. Take me to the infirmary, once there Selmak will explain how we hope to save our friends."
Jacob Carter lowered his head briefly and when he looked at Dr. Fraiser again, his voice had changed.
"You remember the Tretonin," Selmak asked.
Janet frowned and thought for a few moments.
"You mean the medicine created by the Pangarians from prim'ta," she replied using the Goa'uld dialect term for a larva.
"Exactly."
Selmak opened the briefcase and took, with delicate movements, a vial of blue liquid which he showed to the doctor.
"Originally, Tretonin was used to treat all human diseases with a long-term side effect... the destruction of the immune system. Tok'ra created a new version of this drug and adapted it to the physiology of the Jaffa."
Daniel Jackson was looking inside the case and saw many vials in foam cells.
"We warned you yesterday of our current urgency. I doubt you could develop a new variant of the Tretonin drug in less than 24 hours."
Selmak smiled.
"You're right, Daniel. We started studying Tretonin as soon as you told us about the drug. The Tok'ra immediately understood that what the Pangarian had discovered could free the Milky Way from the false gods' threat. After all, the Jaffa are the incubators of the future generation of Goa'uld. And if the Jaffa no longer needs a prim'ta...
"... there will no longer be a newborn Goa'uld," Sam concluded.
Selmak replied with a simple nod.
"All this is very interesting and it is undoubtedly a great advance for the liberation of the Jaffa," said Janet. "But will this miracle cure save my patients?"
Again Selmak lowered his head and when he turned to the doctor, it was again the human host who spoke.
"We have no certainty. This new version of Tretonin has never been tested... but we think we have improved the original drug. There should be no side effects. Nevertheless... a daily Tretonin injunction will never completely replace a symbiote."
Level 22.
"Unscheduled Gate activation!"
About to put his tray on the mess table, Jack O'Neill froze.
"Again?! It seems that without us the galaxy would stop turning. How did they do before we dug up the Stargate?"
Daniel shrugged his shoulders.
"They coped I guess... "
The colonel seemed to think for a few seconds then...
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"What do you mean by 'they coped'? People were praying to their god and he came aboard his flying palace. And there he advanced towards his people shouting ' There is only one Ra! 'with eyes that light up like headlights?"
The archaeologist replied in a perfectly serious voice, although he had a lot of fun listening to O'Neill imitate Ra.
"I think that's actually what I meant by 'they coped'."
Again, O'Neill seemed to think.
"Did we not conclude that it was not a good thing?"
Jackson nodded.
"Yes, Jack, when we used the transfer rings to transport a nuclear bomb aboard Ra's ship, we concluded that it was not a good thing, why this question?"
"Oh, it was just to confirm... so that people call on us to solve their problems, is it better?"
"I think so."
Sam had watched her two friends' debate 'philosophically' trying not to laugh. She had almost forgotten the activation of the Gate. However, less than a minute after the announcement of the loudspeakers, the warning signal sounded... to the delight of his superior.
"Maybe I can eat without being interrupted."
Sitting at the table, Jack began to lift the dish guards with the impatience of a child. Beside him, the archaeologist frowned.
"Three desserts?"
Jack turned around, looking offended.
"I love pudding!"
Daniel showed his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"So, what I'm saying... if you make a liver attack during our mission on Phoenix, do not count on me to carry you."
Level 28
The Control Room was illuminated by the horizon of events, the luminous water-like phenomenon gently undulating inside the Stargate's Naquada ring.
Turned towards the screen above the armored canopy separating the Control Room from the Gate Room, General Hammond smiled.
"To what do I owe the honor of your call, Dr. Weir?"
Millions of light-years from Earth, standing behind an Ancient Consol, the young woman shook her head and smiled ironically.
"Atlantis is once again in an unusual situation and we are forced to ask for instructions from Earth. It's starting to become a habit."
Hammond took a moment to reflect.
"Am I to assume that Hakuno Kishinami has reappeared?"
"You guessed right, General Hammond. She just contacted Atlantis."
Elizabeth smiled a bit embarrassed.
"To sum up the conversation I had with her, Hakuno is the new High Councilor of Asuras and she wants to negotiate an alliance with the Tau'ri."
There was a moment of stunned silence in the Control Room, and then suddenly half a dozen more or less muffled discussions were heard simultaneously.
Hammond turned around.
"Silence!"
The calm returns at once. The head of the SGC could again look at the screen.
"Excuse me, Dr. Weir, did I understand your report correctly? Am I to understand that a teenager younger than my grandchildren was elected head of a nation of Replicators?"
The old military formulation pinpointed all the absurdity of the situation.
"Not exactly, General Hammond." replied Elizabeth, appealing to all her diplomatic talent." I said that a Replicator manufactured by an extraterrestrial supercomputer and having the appearance of a teenager has just been appointed head of a nation of Replicators."
Hammond smiled ironically.
"Indeed, it would be better if I presented the situation to the Commission in these terms..."
Since the US was forced to reveal the existence of the Stargate to its allies, the International Commission had become the supreme authority of the SGC. On the one hand, it was normal that the decisions of the SGC, which involved the whole Earth, should be submitted to an international assembly for approval. Hammond recalled well the reaction of the French and English representatives who had visited the SGC just after the current president of the USA had revealed to them the existence of the Stargate program. They were shocked. It was understandable. They had just learned that the Earth had escaped destruction several times... because the US government had declared war on an 'Evil Galactic Empire'. And if they had only just learned the truth, after several years of lies and omissions, it was because the US government didn't think it was necessary to inform its closest allies of such... 'tiny details'.
Hammond readily admitted that the previous president had been a 'little' cavalier...
On the other hand, the International Commission was an assembly of politicians (like the senator representing the American government) and diplomats unable to make a single decision without arguing for hours. Furthermore, too many members of the Commission first defended the immediate interests of their homeland (or even their political party) before Earth's collective interest... It was better to avoid presenting a problem in terms that could lead them to doubt (once again) the mental health of SGC members.
The leader of Atlantis must have understood Hammond's doubts because she spoke again.
"I will immediately send you the text of the alliance proposal as well as the recent reports of the Atlantis Reconnaissance Teams, and the most recent documents on the conflict between the Wraith and the Asurans. I also send you the recordings of a recent space battle filmed by the Daedalus, as well as the summaries made by the researchers of Atlantis about this war, the Asurans, and especially Hakuno Kishnami."
"Thank you, Dr. Weir, I think it is indeed preferable for the Commission to have all the elements necessary for the complete understanding of the present situation..."
Hearing someone clear their throat, Dr. Janet Fraiser looked up from the report she was reading and smiled as Carter stood in front of her desk.
"Oh, sorry, Sam... I didn't hear you come in."
Samantha Carter also smiled.
"Don't apologize, Janet, you must have a lot of work."
Fraiser responded with an ironic sigh.
"I still have a lot of work to do. I guess you want to know about Teal'c and Bra'tac."
Sam nodded her head.
Janet stood around her desk and pulled on the curtain isolating two of the infirmary beds. The Jaffa were lying, only dressed in a hospital tunic. Near Brat'ac, Sam's father used a Healing Devise, a large red crystal emitter that can be slid on one's hand. With a steady gesture, the Tok'ra passed a ray of light on the body of old Jaffa, closing the wounds.
Janet smiled and pointed to Jacob.
"I think Doctor Selmak is in a better position to answer you."
The Tok'ra turned his head and shrugged with a lopsided smirk.
"Since the first disappearance of Egeria, I have been given many titles, but I was never called a doctor."
"Selmak" said Sam. "May I speak to my father?"
"Of course."
The Tok'ra lowered his head briefly. When he resumed speaking his voice changed.
"I thought you'd already gone to Phoenix."
"I went to the infirmary before I left. I wanted to know if our friends were safe."
Jacob chuckled.
"And you ask me this... "He stopped for a brief moment to listen to an inner voice. "Selmak says Teal'c is out of danger, right now he's dreaming... for the first time in his life, he's dreaming."
Sam nodded, understanding what her father was saying. The Jaffa did not dream, their symbiote took away their need to sleep... at least as a human would. The Jaffa meditated in a state of cataleptic trance. But without prim'ta, Teal'c would have to live like a human. He would age faster; his wounds would not heal in a few hours and he now needed sleep.
Phoenix Site, Milky Way.
The three members of SG-1 and General Hammond - dressed in the blue uniform of the Air Force, with all his medals- left the Stargate. They preceded the Jaffa Rak'nor dressed in the classical Jaffa's Chainmail.
A moment later, they were scanned by an intense white light that examined them from head to toe. This beam was emitted by a metal gantry typical of Tollan technology.
Two cannons were also turned towards the Stargate.
One of them was a 22 mm gun protected by a metal shield... like those defending the Cheyenne Mountain Stargate. The second gun was a double Staff Jaffa's turret...
The travelers had just left the Stargate in a room that looked astonishingly like the Cheyenne Complex Gate Room... except that the metal walls were typical of an installation of the Ancients.
O'Neill lowered his sunglasses to massage his eyes.
"I love coming here... as soon as we arrive we get flashed! Still suspicious, Colonel Harper?"
Jack said that, looking to the Control Room and the officer who was watching their arrival.
"After the discovery of a Goa'uld symbiote cloning plant just under my feet, I realized being suspicious is not a luxury, Colonel O'Neill."
Harper turned to a Tollan in a grey jumpsuit with plastic-like pads at elbows and knees. The man made his report while looking at a small tablet that seemed to be made of aluminum:
"No hidden weapons, only the Jaffa have a symbiote, Colonel."
With a wave of the hand, the officer ordered the soldiers to return to their posts. The combatants were a rather surprising mix... American Marines in woodland military fatigues with M-16 assault rifles, Jaffa in chainmail with Ma'tok Staffs, Tollan guards armed with Stuners.
Georges Hammond took a few steps to shake hands with Ashlee Kelley. Dressed in a strict pantsuit, the ambassador was the representative of the Tau'ri in the Phoenix Alliance (1)... and also the mayor of the city of Haven.
"Ambassador Kelley, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"It's mutual, General Hammond."
"What's the latest news?"
"We had another earthquake and significant damage. We still don't understand the functioning of the crystals the Ancients used to prevent earthquakes. And after several million years without maintenance, breakdowns are multiplying. '
Kelley shook her head with annoyance.
"Also, the recent Replicators' attack resulted in a veritable refugee invasion. The Tok'ra has expanded the network of crystal tunnels under the city to house everyone, but living in tunnels is not very pleasant."
The planet Phoenix was discovered by SG-1 in April 2002. The Stargate was not on the surface- as on most worlds of the network- but in an underground base (under Langford Peak). Constructed by the Ancients, it somewhat resembled a miniature version of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Unfortunately, looters had stolen all the machines left by the Ancients after their departure and so it was a maze of empty rooms that the SGC had mapped.
After the attack of the Alpha site by Ashraks (highly trained Goa'uld assassins) Langford Peak Complex was chosen to become the Phoenix Site.
Shortly after (August 2002) the planet Phoenix was chosen by the SGC to host the HOME (or Headquarters for Off-world Migration Endeavors) initiative which provides aid for the displaced people.
The refugees had founded the town of Haven near Langford Peak.
It was also at Haven that the alliance between the Tau'ri, the Free Jaffa, the Tok'ra, and the Atunen was signed.
To strengthen the alliance, it was decided to create a variant of the SG teams, the Phoenix Team that would explore the galaxy from Langford Peak Complex. Unlike the SG teams (almost exclusively made of Tau'ri) the Phoenix teams were multiracial, the staff being recruited among the refugees living in Haven.
As Langford Peak Complex became too small to accommodate an ever-increasing staff, the Tok'ra expanded the base using their crystals capable of creating tunnels.
The conference room was a large area with orange metal walls so typical of the Ancients' utilitarian construction. But apart from that, everything came from Earth, the television screens, the table, the chairs, even the cardboard cups near the coffee machine.
The members of the Council of Heaven, the governing body of the Phoenix Alliance, were Ambassador Ashley Kelley for the Tau'ri, the Emissary Tolli for the Tok'ra, Councilor Hatanna for the Aturen, and Councilor Ry'anne for the Jaffa.
They listened carefully to Rak'nor's account of Apophis' attack on Kresh'ta and the massacre of the Jaffa leaders. Then SG-1 members testified one after the other to report the attack on Cerberus and the discovery of the Jaffa prisoner camp.
The first to speak was Tolli, the Tok'ra... or more exactly Sulo, her human host.
"I learned just before this meeting about Selmak's mission. I would like to know if Teal'c and Bra'tac reacted favorably to Tretonin."
Sam replied.
"Emissary Tolli, just before we left Selmak assured us that they were out of danger."
"So, the modified Tretonin treatment can allow the Jaffa to live without prim'ta?"
"We have to wait to see the long-term effects but, a piori, Tretonin meets all our hopes."
George Hammon turned to the Tok'ra.
"Why are you so interested in Tretonin, Emissary Tolli?"
This time it was not the host, the young woman called Sulo, but the Tok'ra who responded.
"Have you forgotten the symbiote's cloning plant just under Haven? I have inspected it in detail, I am sure I can get it back into operation to produce on an industrial scale the modified Tretonin."
O'Neill loudly cleared his throat and everyone turned to him.
"I am sure it will be a great advance for the Jaffa cause, but it is not the priority at the moment."
The Atunen diplomat, a male with elven-like features, turned to SG-1's leader.
"Colonel, what could be a priority over the deliverance of the Jaffa people after millennia of slavery?"
Uncomfortable, Jack waddles in his seat.
"Um... wrong wording on my part... or not... I meant it's an important question, but we can debate it later."
More diplomatic, Daniel came to the rescue of his friend.
"Colonel O'Neill means that Apophis is a danger that deserves immediate action."
This time, it was Ryanne who intervened. The female Jaffa had on her forehead the emblem of Ra, she was one of the first Jaffa to rebel against the false gods, long before Teal'c.
"I am the first willing to avenge our brothers who fell on Kresh'ta. Nevertheless, only my anger speaks with these words. I am wise enough to know that anger will not allow us to defeat the false gods. Reason also tells me that the most dangerous Goa'uld is Anubis. Why does the Tau'ri want us to focus our efforts on Apophis?"
About to respond, O'Neill was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. An Air Force officer came in and whispered a few words to Ambassador Kelley.
"Your guest has arrived, General Hammond. The Cronid, a Ha'tak of the Free Jaffa Nation, has just informed us that it has entered orbit."
A little surprised Hatanna turned to Hammond.
"A guest?"
Just then the dazzling light of a transporter beam briefly dazzles the conference participants. A high metallic armchair had materialized in a free place on the long table.
A child-sized humanoid with grey skin, a big head, and huge black eyes spoke:
"Salutations, I am Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet."
The Asgard blinked and slowly turned his head to watch the conference participants one after the other.
"I am honored to be able to meet the ambassadors of some of the most eminent peoples of the Milky Way. Two reasons justify my presence before your distinguished audience. First -by my voice- the High Council of the Asgard is applying to join the Phoenix Alliance. Now that the Ida galaxy is free of the scourge represented by the Replicators, it is time for us to become actively involved in the fight against the Goa'uld." (2)
The announcement had as much effect as the explosion of a bomb. All those present spoke at once. Only General Hammond and Ambassador Kelley (warned by Thor before the conference) remained silent.
The Supreme Commander lifted a finger in a languid but strangely imperious gesture.
"I understand that my sudden announcement can provoke emotional reactions. Nevertheless, I urge you not to let feeling override rationality. Diplomats from my people are aboard my ship. They will come and discuss our offer with you in detail. Let's focus now on the other reason for my presence on Phoenix."
Thor moved an Asgard Stone on the armrest of his command chair. A 3D image appeared above the conference table.
It was a Bilskirnir-class Asgard Cruiser whose hull had been partially removed.
"When the Earthlings liberated Cerberus shipyard, they discovered that Apophis captured one of our ships. They contacted us and we sent a team of technicians to inspect this cruiser."
Other images followed, showing the interior of the Bilskirnir.
"Our technicians soon realized that several Ion cannons had been taken apart as well as the shields' projectors and hyperdrive. They conclude that it is very likely that Apophis could replicate these elements of the Asgard technology in the near future... The Asgard High Council estimates that, within six months, Apophis will have a war fleet composed of a new generation of ships whose offensive and defensive armament will be equivalent to that of a Bilskirnir-class Cruiser. No one in the Milky Way will be able to stop Apophis. And as these ships will be equipped with hyperdrives with a range sufficient to reach the Ida Galaxy, even the Asgard will be threatened."
Slowly blinking, Thor spoke in a peaceful voice but what he had just said sounded like an apocalyptic prophecy.
Far from it, in another part of the Milky Way.
Gilgamesh was bored...
He walked the corridors of the flagship of Ba'al without a clear goal.
The Golden King was bored.
—and he was frustrated.
He arrived in this parallel universe more than three months ago. And at times like this, he couldn't fool himself... All he had learned since then was that... Hakuno was NOT in this galaxy.
All he could hope for is that MAYBE Anubis knows where Atlantis is. And IF Ba'al defeated his rival, the One and Only king Could EVENTUALLY have access to Anubis' computer... it was a lot of 'maybe' and 'if'...
With his face convulsed by anger, Gilgamesh clenched his fists. He was not used to being like a beggar who had to implore what was rightfully his!
It was better for the inhabitants of this shabby universe that Ba'al did not make empty promises...
For the King, vengeance would not only strike this foolish Goa'uld, and would remain in all memories for at least a million years. There wouldn't be a planet that...
Gilgamesh shudders as he feels a mental wave as soft as the wing of a butterfly touching his consciousness. It was like a woman's kind voice.
[Violence is never the solution. Only perfectly calm water reflects like a mirror. And only a mind at peace finds the right answer, King of Uruk. Don't give in to discouragement. Anubis knows where Atlantis is. Don't worry about Hakuno Kishinami either... she has arrived in a place where she is loved and where she can relieve guilt by saving lives. That's what she ever wanted.]
The King of Heroes turned just in time to see a blurred, luminous shape, a bit like a piece of cloth floating in the wind, which disappeared at the corner of the corridor.
Author's note: Anyone familiar with the Stargate SG-1 show must have understood who came to reassure and calm Gilgamesh...
(1) Name given in the Stargate Roleplaying Game to the alliance signed in 2002 between the Tau'ri, the Free Jaffa, the Tok'ra, and the Atunen. The Tollans have the status of associate members; they help by providing their technologies but do not participate in any military operation. The Unas have no planetary government (they are still at the tribal stage) only a few individuals have joined on an individual basis. Note: although the name 'Phoenix Alliance' appears only in the RPG, its existence is canonical MGM-approved material.
(2) In Stargate's original timeline, the Asgard never joined the Phoenix Alliance because they were focused on the immediate threat that Replicators posed to them. The Replicators disappeared at the end of the Battle of Dakara...which also saw the collapse of the Goa'uld Empire. But, in 'SG Universe at War', the situation is very different...