Chapter 6

The Acme

SG-1 found themselves standing in some kind of bay onboard the Olympian vessel. Jack glanced about. The room was painted light blue with a large rainbow across the far wall. He noticed small potted plants sitting on small pillar style pedestals in the corners. He looked at Abby who was beamed aboard with him. "I see you decorated the place." he mentioned.

She explained, "After my father passed I thought I would brighten up the Acme's transporter bay. Before it was as gray and depressing as your bunker."

Jack shook his head for not only was the transporter bay on a military style ship decorated like a child's playroom but the name of the ship was rather humorous for him. The Acme! He couldn't believe his ears when Monique contacted the vessel and a requested they be beamed aboard. Jack decided then and there he needed to introduce Abby to yet another old TV show. He asked, "Ever watch Loonie Toons?" he smirked.

"No, is that another tee vee program?" she asked curious.

"I got just the thing for you." he told her.

Sam was too busy looking at the transporter pads. She noted, "This is like a hybrid system between Asgard and Goa'uld." She looked at the décor, "That's…not what I expected…"

Monique stated, "Upon losing the King and Queen, Abby was attempting to boost morale with the people."

Jack asked, "Did it work?"

She wasn't sure in reality but did assure, "The Acme stands as the Queen's flagship vessel. The ship represents the Queen and her people."

"But did it work?" he pressed.

Abby defended, "I'm sure it worked. No one has complained."

Jack smirked, "Doesn't mean it worked. Just means no one told you anything."

She squinted at him, "That doesn't prove it didn't work."

Before Jack could speak Daniel spoke up, "Jack! It's the Queen's vessel. She can decorate it any way she pleases." He feared Jack would say something insensitive and endanger the negotiations.

Abby stated, "I didn't decorate it for me, Dr. Jackson. I did it for the crew. I do know enough that if you are surrounded by the same color for an extended period of time one can get emotionally depressed. The ships' crew can be on the vessel for a very long time. I was concerned for their mental health and well being."

"Okay," he backed down. "I understand that." He then added, "I like it." He glanced to Teal'c or Sam to help back him up.

The Jaffa smiled more concerned with Monique than the ship, "Indeed." he simply agreed.

Sam added, "Abby has a very good point about morale and she's right, being stuck in the same dull color scheme for weeks on end can be depressing." She looked about, "I think the plants are a nice touch and I like the color." She then confessed, "Could do without rainbow though…"

Abby asked, "You think the rainbow is too much?"

"Little." Sam agreed.

"I was also thinking of painting clouds on the walls. What if I painted a cloud instead?" she pondered.

Sam asked Jack, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Go ahead," he motioned wondering what Sam would suggest.

"Your Highness, if it was me I would paint lattice on the walls with vines to accent the plants." she suggested. "Like a garden."

Abby pondered, "I like that idea." She looked to Monique, "What do you think?"

"It would be a welcome change." she agreed.

She looked to Teal'c, "T?"

"I agree." he assured her it sounded good.

"Dr. Jackson?" She wondered what his input would be.

"It's your ship!" he shrugged.

"Colonel?" she looked to Jack.

Amused Jack replied, "Carter has good taste. If I was you I would have her decorate the whole ship." He grinned at Sam who rolled her eyes.

Abby spoke to her companion, "Get a few painters in here and let's change it to a garden theme."

"Yes, My Queen." she gave a nod.

Worried Sam mentioned, "Abby…I don't have time to decorate a ship."

"I know he was humoring us." she assured. "You do have a good idea though."

Sam blushed and smiled, "Well, thank you…Your Highness."

Abby warned, "I really hate being called that and using titles. You are not under my rule and not a subject of the kingdom. You call me by name."

She replied, "You can call me, 'Sam'."

"I would like that…Sam." she felt as if she made a new friend.

"Since we are on first name bases, you can call me, 'Daniel'." the linguist-archeologist told her.

"Very well," she agreed. "We have an agreement. Now, for a tour of the Acme."

Later

SG-1 was beamed back down to the surface to give their report of the vessel and crew to General Hammond. They sat at the briefing room table and informed him of what they saw.

Sam stated, "The ship is called a 'Titian Class' vessel by the Olympian standards. It's about the size of the prototype were are currently constructing in Area 51."

Jack asked, "What are we constructing in Area 51?"

"It's our first large scale deep space vessel, the X-303. We don't have a name for it yet but we need the naquadah from Olympia's mine for the engines. The engines will cost us a couple of billion dollars otherwise. That's why Abby's mine would be such a huge deal for us. Her ship is a lot like what we want to do with the X-303." she explained excited. She then looked at Hammond, "Abby has the mine we need for our own space program and she is willing to set up fair trade. The Acme's engines are on par with Asgard but designed slightly different. The ship has a full crew with a Captain. Her ships are under her Navy and they use similar ranks to our navy. The crew is entirely human. Sir, this is the first truly advanced human race we have met off world. The Olympians technology rivals Asgard, Goa'uld…even Ancient. They are actually ahead of us technology wise, sir. Abby did indicate she would be willing to assist us with technology development as well." She wiggled in her seat and bit excited, "I even came up with a name for the X-303 because of the Olympians. The Acme is a titan class ship." She grinned at Daniel, "In was thinking we name the X-303 the Prometheus."

"Prometheus was the Titian who stole fire from the gods and gave it to mortals." Daniel replied with a nod and a smile. He liked the new name.

General Hammond stated, "The X-303 is still in development. It will be years before it's complete. We're still working on the engines. Do you think the Olympians can help us speed up that development?"

"They could," Sam nodded. "They have the technology. Question is will they?" She looked to Daniel.

"It will take time to cultivate a good relationship with them and get Abby's trust. She puts her people first. I'm sure she's going to make sure nothing they give to us will be used against her people. It will still take time though she seems to like Earth so far."

Jack grinned, "She likes me and T.V.!"

Daniel had to admit, "You know having Jack keep Abby busy when we all thought that Monique was the Queen actually worked to our advantage. She got to know us through Jack."

"I knew who she was from the get-go, Daniel. Of course I'm gonna entertain her and introduce her to stuff. I wasn't fooled." he bragged.

Daniel countered, "But you weren't one hundred percent sure."

"I was pretty close." he dismissed. "Ninety-nine percent sure is pretty close."

Sam stated, "We can certainly use Abby's help. They can help us with our own program. We do need access to the mine and their technology." She glanced around the table at her friends.

Daniel suggested, "We need to keep diplomatic channels open with Abby and her people. Maybe let her see Earth and make friends." He looked about for confirmation.

Jack smirked, "Disney!"

Daniel rolled his eyes, "She's a queen, Jack. What would she want to go to Disneyworld for?"

Teal'c spoke up, "She maybe a queen but she is also Tau'ri. Your world offers much in culture and entertainment. Touring the sites of your planet would be an honor for any queen."

"See, T agrees with me." Jack sounded.

Hammond stated, "We will invite Queen Abigail and Monique back for further negotiations. She did express interest in seeing Earth. We can always include a tour in the negotiations. I want to a full report on the ship, Major Carter."

"Yes sir." she gave a nod.

"Dismissed." he announced.