Like I said first week of August, I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it might be awhile till the next chapter is up, due to computer problems, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
UNSC
Praeter
Conference room
In the Conference room, Captain Alton along with the senior members on the Praeter gathered to discuss what has been discovered. A list of things appeared on a holographic image over the table which they were seated around.
"In a couple of hours will be having a guest that will come through the Gate." said Alton "A Doctor Weir, she is apparently the leader and diplomat from wherever Colonel Sheppard and his people are from."
"I think that's a mistake." said Dare "For all we know they could be sending an army through that thing."
Faison spoke up. "With all due respect ma'am, but that would be suicide for them." said Faison all eyes on him. "That Stargate is perfect to bypass planetary defenses, but leaves whatever intruders come through in a choke hold situation giving us the advantage."
While everyone in the room was thinking the same thing, Dare on the other hand wasn't. "They could have cloaked soldiers, or a cloaked fire team come through that Gate." argued Dare "Also Doctor Crane, didn't you say it's possible for weapons fire to come through the Stargate."
Crane cleared his throat before speaking. "Mmmh! Yes, from what we were able to analyze from the data we got when it activated for the first time, and also from what we learned from Dr. McKay's interrogation, weapons fire can be sent through the Gate."
"Then we shoot back." replied Faison
Crane shook his head. "Unfortunately we can't." said Crane "The wormhole depending on who connected first can send things through, it doesn't go both ways."
"I thought wormholes can travel in both directions?" asked Dare
"I don't think it's the wormhole, but the limitation of the technology." said Crane. "Or it could be a safety feature built into the Stargate in case something dangerous or threatening is on the other side doesn't get transmitted back while a connection is made."
"Then why would anyone put a Stargate on that planet in the first place if it's dangerous?" asked Dare not understanding the reasoning.
"I think that the planets were checked out before planting Stargates on planets, and from what we learning by examining the gate, its millions of years old." stated Crane. "Planets can sometimes go through unexpected changes over the course of that period."
Dare not caring about Cranes explanations, decided to talk about defense. "In any case I still think we should have armed forces station when the Gate is activated along with snipers positioned in a pincer maneuver." said Dare
Alton thought it over and while he wanted to make sure his own people were safe; he didn't want to look to imposing if everything Sheppard had said is true. "Alright, on the snipers, but I want a few soldiers stationed at the Gate and treat, Doctor Weir with the respect an ambassador should be treated."
Dare wanted to argue, but kept quiet, Faison wanted a fire team on the ground, but was denied, Crane and Collins didn't have much to say when it came to military matters. After that was said and done Alton switched topics
"Doctor Collins what did the blood test tell us?" asked Alton wanting to move on to other things.
Collins brings up documents from the labs. "Blood tests from all four came back negative on any disease or parasites." said Collins
"I meant are they human?" asked Alton
Collins swiped over her data pad to change information, before responding. "I did a genetic test and compared their DNA with our own." She brings up a holographic image of five strands of DNA, the first four being Sheppard and his team, the fifth being Collins, each one showing the percentage of how much human they are. "As you can see their pretty much the same as us." said Collins
"What about those three strands, they seem to be off?" asked Dare
Collins looks through the data to explain "Yes, Colonel Sheppard, Doctor McKay, and Teyla Emmagan did show some variations, but nothing to concern about their very much the same as us."
Alton then turns to Faison. "Faison, what can you tell me about their equipment?" asked Alton
Faison bring up holographic images of the gear, Sheppard and his team had with them. "We took a look at their weapons and learned there the same as ours, but lacking in advancement like a built-in ammo counter and compass."
Faison switches to a different image of what looked like a big handgun wrapped in cloth at the handle. "Most of their weapons are chemically propelled, but this one." said Faison "Apparently it's an energy based weapon that has three different settings, one to stun, one to kill, and one to incinerate."
Faison then switched to a different image. "One of them had a computer and what seemed to be a handheld device, but we can't seem to activate it." said Faison brings up the image of the device, and to everyone in the room it looked like a clear white small device with a screen on it.
"Did Yelena tried hacking into it?" asked Dare
Faison nodded his head. "Yes! She tried, but couldn't turn the damn thing on either."
"Must be some kind of safety feature." said Crane. "Kind like you need fingerprints to access doors or an eye scanner to access computers, or hand held devices."
Faison then switched the image to a small device about the size of your palm with numbers on it "We think this might be some kind of IFF?" said Faison
"Why do you say that?" asked Alton with an arched eyebrow.
"Yelena tried accessing it, there seems to by some kind of fire wall, but she managed to break it and got access to set of numbers." The numbers appeared on the screen.
"Why do you assume it's some kind of IFF?" asked Crane.
Faison leaned in on the table staring at Crane. "We don't send our people out in the galaxy without some kind of identification." said Faison. "That Stargate is impressive, but you be a damn fool to leave a door open to anybody without some kind of warning to let you know friendlies are coming through."
Everyone in the room thought it over and while they didn't have evidence to support Faison's claims, it did sound possible.
"So we have their codes!" stated Dare "This could come in handy."
Alton looked at Dare questioningly. "Handy?" asked Alton
"Yes, Handy." said Dare staring at Alton. "We could use this to get pass their defenses if we have to."
Alton shook his head and thought to himself another spook. "Were not planning any attack on what could possibly be an independent human government not affiliated with the UNSC." said Alton making his authority known. "Secondly if they were us, I would have already deactivated those codes the moment it made clear our people were in what may be enemy hands."
Alton and Dare began staring each other down making the conference room uncomfortable for everyone, until Doctor Crane decided to break it up. "I think we're going off topic and need to reel it back in." said Crane. "Everything we have uncovered could be the most incredible discovery in our history."
"If assuming their telling the truth about everything." countered Dare looking at Crane with disbelief.
"Not to mention about these Wraith they told us about." said Faison "I recommend extreme caution if we are going to stay."
"Why would we stay?" asked Collins
Everyone was silent on that matter, I mean why would they stay, the original mission was to put them in Path Kethona not the Pegasus Galaxy.
"Think what we could learn from them." Spoke Crane trying to justify for why they would stay. "I mean there is a whole new evolution of humans in this galaxy that may have developed in unique ways from culturally to technologically."
"Or they could pose a dangerous threat to us." countered Dare seeing the dangers of an unknown human race that could be aggressive in nature.
"Either way we won't know until we make official contact with these people." replied Crane
Alton was thinking it over everything that was said and while he hated that he can't complete the mission, he didn't want to go home in shame, so he made his decision. "It's true that there are both pros and cons to staying, but I see nothing good if we return without gathering as much information about this galaxy and what's in it." said Alton
Lantea
Atlantis
Dr. Weirs office
Doctor Weir was having a discussion with Major Lorne on the current situation with Colonel Sheppard and his team were in.
"Do we know anything about Colonel Sheppard or his team's situation?" asked Major Lorne.
"Only that their unharmed, I did manage to talk to Sheppard, before they took him away." said Weir
"And?" asked Lorne trying to get details out of Weir on Sheppard's situation.
"Only to take extra caution dealing with these people." said Weir "Apparently were dealing with a new group of humans we haven't encountered yet."
"So what's the plan Doc, do we go in with a fleet of puddle Jumpers?" asked Lorne the military in him thinking of the best tactical plan on a rescue.
Weir shook her head. "No, I would feel any military strategy would be better if we had the Daedalus." said Weir "Unfortunately it won't be here for another week."
"Then what's the plan?" asked Lorne not liking the idea of leaving people behind.
"Diplomacy Major." said Weir.
Gate Room
The Stargate was activated to M37-469, Weir was getting ready to travel to the planet. Weir walked down the stairs from the control room and looked up at the technician "Are they ready for me?" asked Weir
Chuck got up from his seat and looked down at Weir. "Dr. Weir their ready!"
As Weir was about to leave Lorne walked up to her. "I still think you should be accompanied by an armed guard or a dozen marines." said Lorne
"This is a diplomatic situation and they have already expressed that, I come alone, unarmed." replied Weir
"Doc, everyone says that, it makes it easier for them to have more hostages." said Loren
"Major if you haven't already known, let me be the first one to tell you, I once negotiated for two Genii nuclear weapons during the siege of Atlantis, I think I can handle this." said Weir
Loren read about what happened during the siege and couldn't deny Dr. Weir's ability at negotiating. "Meant no disrespect ma'am, just wanted to be on the safe side."
"Still, if for whatever reason I don't contact you, or make it back within three hours lock out our IDC's and suspend all off world travel until Colonel Caldwell arrives with the Daedalus." said Weir, she then steps through the active Gate, leaving Lorne with his thoughts and concern.
M37-469
Weir stepped out of the event Horizon to be greeted by a couple of armed people around the Gate. One of these people walked up to Weir. "Doctor Weir?" asked the man
Weir nodded her head. "I'm here to speak to Captain Alton of the UNSC." said Weir as one soldier began checking her for weapons.
"He's waiting for you on the Praeter." said the soldier
"Then please lead the way." said Weir not wanting to waste any more time.
UNSC
Praeter
Brig
In the brig of the Praeter was AR-1 discussing their own interrogations. "So mine was pretty much asking questions, lots of questions." said Sheppard. "How about the rest of you?"
"Mine was all about the Stargate." started McKay "It's like these people have never seen a Stargate before."
"Perhaps they haven't Rodney." said Teyla "These people who ever they are, don't seem to know about the Wraith either."
"So, we didn't know about the Wraith when we came to this galaxy." replied McKay
"Not to mention the people on Proculus never heard of the Wraith before." said Sheppard
"But in those two cases, your people came from another galaxy and the people of Proculus are protected by an ascended being." replied Teyla.
As the three discussed who these people were, Ronon woke up from the ground "Ahh! What happened?" asked Ronon as he struggled to get back up on his feet.
"I was hoping you could tell us big guy." said Sheppard. "When they brought you in here you were already out cold."
"By the looks of it something hit you pretty hard." said McKay noticing the bruise on his face.
Ronon was cracking his neck and checking his body for any other damage. "Yeah, I had a sparring match."
"It looks like you lost." stated Sheppard.
Ronon glared at Sheppard for few seconds. "It was a lucky punch; I'll get him next time." said Ronon with anger in his voice.
"Hopefully you won't have too." said Sheppard. "Elizabeth contacted us, well more like them and, I was able to talk to her for a while."
"Is she sending help?" asked Ronon.
"You can say that." replied Sheppard.
Ronon was going to ask another question, but was interrupted by the sudden arrival of armed men and what looked like a squad of heavily armored individuals. Ronon recognized the armor as being the same kind of armor that belonged to the person who attacked him.
The doors to their cell opened. "Alright all of you out one at a time." said the armed man
"Mind telling us where were going?" asked Sheppard
"Taking you to see the Captain, now get moving." said the armed man
Sheppard walked out first. "The Captain! HuH! You know if we had talk to him first we could have taken care of this misunderstanding." said Sheppard as he was handcuffed and moved away from the door.
One by one they all came out handcuffed and dragged to see the Captain for the first time.
UNSC
Praeter
Conference Room
In the Conference room was Elizabeth Weir who had taken a seat at the table. In the room with her were armed guards keeping her company. While she was waiting, she was planning on how to handle the situation, but as she was thinking, the doors to the room opened and in walked Sheppard and his team handcuffed and under armed guard.
"Sheppard!" said Weir getting up from her seat and walking over to them.
"Elizabeth!" said Sheppard acknowledging her presence. "Thanks for coming for us."
"After the times you've saved me, I couldn't imagine not coming to your rescue for once." said Weir, she then noticed Ronon with a bruised face. "What happen to Ronon?"
"He thought of showing off his fighting skills to the locals." said Sheppard as the group took their seats around the table next to Weir. As they all sat down five people walked into the room and sat across from the Atlantis expedition members.
"I'm Captain Alton." said Alton facing directly at Weir. "We spoke on the radio, Doctor Weir."
"Yes we did." replied Weir looking at Alton. "And I'm hoping we can all leave here as friends."
"That's assuming everything your people has told us is really true." said Dare staring at Sheppard and his team questioningly.
Weir looks at Dare and squints her eyes. "And what exactly did my people tell you, that you would question its authenticity.
Dare stares at Weir, but before Dare could speak, Alton stepped in. "Doctor Weir it's hard for us to believe what your people have said compared to where we come from."
Weir then switch topics. "Then please enlighten all of us on exactly where did you come from?" asked Weir. "How did you build this ship without the Wraith finding out about it?"
"Not to mention your lack of knowledge about the Wraith is also a good question too." said Sheppard putting his own two cents in.
"Then there's the Stargate." started McKay taking a crack at asking questions, when he himself was denied answers. "Your people have no knowledge of it, and yet many humans who are nowhere near your level of technology in this galaxy, still have the knowledge on how the gate works and how to use it."
"Were not at liberty to discuss that." said Alton not going to break the Cole protocol.
"Then I don't see the point in this meeting if you're not going to help us to understand your position." said Weir. "If you're not going to take this diplomatic meeting seriously, then you should just let me and my people go."
"You're not in any positions to make demands of us Doctor Weir." countered Dare.
"And you're not in a position to keep us prisoners here." rebuffed Weir. "Now I don't know if your concern that we would reveal your secret or that we might retaliate, but the one thing you should know about us is that were peaceful explorers who only seek friendship."
The room became silent as each group stared each other down, until Yelena appeared on the table to be the mediator. "Captain I believe revealing just a little will help them to understand." said Yelena. "You don't have to reveal anything classified or break the Cole protocol."
When Yelena appeared on the table the Atlantis expedition members were startled by her sudden appearance. "Who or what is she?" asked Sheppard.
Yelena looked at the groups reaction. "Look at their expressions it's as if they never seen an AI before." said Yelena
"AI?" said McKay "As in Artificial Intelligence?"
"Yes!" said Yelena "I take it you've come across AI's?"
"Come across!" started Sheppard in an upset tone. "We practically almost got killed by one." Remembering the incident on the Daedalus that almost killed everyone.
The UNSC delegation was surprised to hear about that, Yelena was also curious "Tried to kill you?" asked Yelena. "Did the AI go rampant?"
The Atlantis expedition had confused looks on their faces, not understanding the meaning of the word. "I don't know what that means, but the AI that tried to kill us, was created by the Wraith and uploaded into one of our ships computers." said McKay
The UNSC delegation looked at each other concern by the sudden news of this, but decided to discuss it at a later time. Alton began thinking over what Yelena said, and while protocol dictated a different way, he remembered that, UNSC High Command isn't here and he had to make the tough decisions.
"Alright then, I think we need to tell you what we can." said Alton needing to make the effort.
Dare looked at the Captain in shock. "Captain, protocol dictates..."
"There is no protocol for something like this." said Alton interrupting Dare before she could finish her sentence.
Alton then began the long talk about the UNSC and the United Erde-Tyrene Government about their history, the insurrection, the Covenant war, and how they came from another Galaxy. Alton didn't reveal anything classified such as the Halos, Forerunners, flood, or the location of their Home Galaxy or planet.
The Atlantis expedition was speechless and while the Wraith weren't saints, they needed humans to survive and never attempted genocide like the Covenant tried too. Also the most amazing part is that these people were from another Galaxy, which is quite a feat compared to most of the human populations in both the Pegasus and Milky Way Galaxy.
"Wow!" said Sheppard. "I thought the Wraith were bad."
"I can see why your people reacted the way you did with Colonel Sheppard and his team." said Weir. "I can't imagine what you or your people were going through in that time."
"We don't need your sympathy Doctor Weir." said Dare "Only to understand where were coming from when you try to explain stuff to us."
Weir looked away for second now realizing the groups suspicions and mistrust of people. Weir then looked back at Dare. "I don't know what else I can tell you, to convince you were telling the truth." said Weir
"Let's start with where you came from." said Dare "What's the name of your planet?"
Weir had to be careful on what to reveal as, Atlantis is still a top secret that had to be maintained. "Were not exactly from around here." said Weir.
"What do you mean?" asked Crane, very interested in what these people have to say.
Weir thought about what to reveal and decided to only reveal a little "Since you were so kind into revealing to us where you came from, I'll tell you something about us." said Weir
The other looked at her in shock. "Elizabeth?" said McKay questioning her choice.
"It's okay Rodney." said Weir "These people took the first step towards trusting us, we need to do the same." said Weir.
"With the exceptions of Teyla and Ronon, me and the rest of my people are also from another galaxy and arrived in Pegasus last year." said Weir.
Captain Alton and his group were expecting to hear anything from, Weir, but to hear that there is another evolution of humans out there in the universe was something they were not expecting and were shocked.
"Is there a problem?" asked Weir surprised by the sudden silence in the room.
Alton regained his composer "Sorry!" he said "We weren't expecting you to say you are also from another galaxy."
"It must be a surprise to you to find out you're not the only humans in the universe." replied Weir with a small smile.
"That's an understatement." said Doctor Collins "For three different evolutions of humans to not only evolve in two, but three different galaxies are quite alarming."
"It's almost as if it were orchestrated by some kind of grand design." said Crane.
"Or maybe humanity is the favorite out of all the species in the universe." said Faison with a grin look on his face.
"Ahh! Not really." said McKay "It was the Ancients."
"Who are the Ancients?" asked Dare curiously.
Sheppard looked at Rodney with an upset look at opening his mouth, but seeing as how he couldn't take it back explained. "The Ancients are the first evolution of humans that existed millions of years ago, they came to our galaxy and spread the second evolution of humans, they did the same here in Pegasus and where ever you guys came from." said McKay "Oh and one other thing, they built the Stargates."
Alton and his people became speechless again by the sudden realization of the implications that were said "Are the Ancients still around?" asked Crane.
"No!" said Weir "The Ancients died out thousands of years ago."
"Have the Ancients ever gone by a different name?" asked Dare wondering if their confusing the Ancients with the Forerunners.
"Our people back in our galaxy recently discovered that the Ancients were once called Alterans and they even came from another galaxy millions of years ago." said Weir
While Dare couldn't reveal about the Forerunners to see if there was a connection, she needed to find out as much about the Ancients as she could. Before she could ask another question Alton spoke first.
"While this has been interesting, we need to know where do we go from here?" asked Alton
"You know if you people are from another Galaxy, you're going to need friends." said Sheppard "And the best way to make friends is to trust each other, and I mean letting us go."
Alton looked at Dare who had a look of unsure on her face. "With everything you said, how do I know you're not working for the Wraith?" asked Alton
Ronon slammed his handcuffed fists down on the table extremely insulted by Alton's accusation, the soldiers in the room lifted up their weapons on him including Faison. "Accusing us of working with the Wraith is an extreme insult in this galaxy." said Ronon with a glare at Alton "Especially to someone who's whole planet was destroyed by the Wraith."
Alton looked at Ronon and saw the anger in his eyes, the rage, the pain of losing everything you know and loved to a relentless enemy. Alton saw that look many times over, during the Covenant war and knew people with that look could never lie.
M37-469
Stargate
Down on the planet was Alton, Dare, and Crane along with a security detail covering them. Along with them was also Doctor Weir and her people dialing the gate to go home. While Dare protested the release, Alton made the final call on that.
Weir turned to Alton. "What changed your mind on releasing us?" asked Weir
Alton looked at Ronon. "He did." said Alton "Anyone can tell a tale Doctor Weir, it's the eyes that tell the whole truth about a person, what they've done, experienced, and what they've lost."
Weir understood what the Captain meant. "Well if you decide to stay in this galaxy or leave this is our address to contact us." said Weir handing him a piece of paper with six symbols and explaining about the point of origin.
Sheppard walked over. "Will check in from time to time to see how you folks are doing."
McKay then walked over to give his two cents. "And when you feel comfortable enough, I would really like to take a look at your ship, especially power generation, Ahhh! You're FTL."
"Rodney!" said Weir cutting him off. "I think we're a long way from reaching that level."
Alton then spoke. "But not out of reach Doctor." said Alton, he walks up to her and sticks his hand out, Weir recognizing the gesture took it and both respected leaders shook hands. "I think this is the start of an Alliance that will benefit both of us."
"I hope so." said Weir, as she and her people stepped through the Stargate, leaving the UNSC to begin planning.
Dare Walks up to Alton. "I hope you know what you're doing!" said Dare not happy with the outcome of this event.
Alton looked at her. "I think I'm about to make history." said Alton as the two walk back to the pelican to start preparations to settle in. The Pegasus galaxy was about to wake up to a whole new group of humans and the Wraith are about to face an enemy who even the more technologically advance Covenant Empire could not destroy in their galaxy are about to make an appearance on the galactic stage that will change the fate of the Pegasus galaxy forever.
Some of you are probably wondering the last part of the chapter, so let me explain. Being a veteran of the Covenant war Alton has seen a lot of things, including the faces of soldiers and civilians who lost their homes to the covenant, so when he saw Ronons face he could tell that they weren't lying. So negotiations were better than expected, slow to trust, but its moving along, I'm not going to rush into it, so don't expected an exchange of technology any time soon.