PRESIDENTIAL TOWERS
ASURA 2, ASURA SYSTEM
PEGASUS GALAXY

1300 HOURS ZULU, (LOCAL TIME)

It's about two in the afternoon, and President Emin Emmagan stands by the large window of his office, watching the orderly traffic of sky cars streaming overhead. Above, puddle jumpers glide through the Asura sky, their sleek forms departing for orbit, freshly replicated from the Asuran shipyards. The puddle jumper design is ancient, millions of years old, yet it remains efficient, now upgraded with energy weapons. The saying from Earth often comes to mind: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

His thoughts, however, are far from the technological marvels of Asura. He's been briefed on the latest developments within the Tau'ri Federation. The political gridlock in Parliament, modeled after the U.S. Congress, has reached new levels, delaying crucial decisions. Despite the steady expansion of the Federation into 120 galaxies, the reports of Berserker drone attacks on outer colonies are growing more alarming by the day.

Just as Emin returns to his desk, the door to his office slides open with a quiet hum, and his secretary, Aphi, steps inside. An Athosian woman, Aphi is always the picture of professionalism, her dark hair tied neatly into a bun, her gray pantsuit tailored with precision. She carries a holopad in her hands, the emblem of the Tau'ri Federation glowing softly on its surface.

"Yes, Aphi?" Emin asks, turning toward her.

"Sir, General Samantha Carter O'Neill has sent an urgent message," Aphi says, her voice calm but laced with urgency. "There's a holovid file that requires your immediate attention."

"Thank you," Emin replies, taking the pad from her. He inputs his authentication code quickly, activating the file.

Aphi gives a brief nod and exits the room, leaving Emin alone to watch the screen. As the holovid flickers to life, the face of General Samantha Carter O'Neill fills the display. Her expression is one of deep concern, and he immediately knows that whatever the situation, it's serious.

"Mr. President," she begins, her tone measured, "there have been significant developments in the Draconis sector. Our Corps of Engineers is close to completing the supergate necessary to stabilize the subspace shear. However, our intelligence has revealed something far more pressing."

The holovid shifts, now showing the image of Lt. Commander Charly Burke, the blonde officer from an alternate universe, standing alongside Gunnery Sergeant Charlotte Burke Sheppard—her doppelgänger from this universe. Though they share an uncanny resemblance, the women are as different as their origins. The next image shows the construction of the supergate, an imposing structure, its massive components falling into place in the dark of space.

General Carter's voice continues over the visuals. "Once the supergate is operational, Lt. Commander Burke and Ry'ac will lead a team through it to stabilize the shear. But we have received disturbing intelligence—Cerberus has captured Colonel Anakin John Sheppard."

Emin feels a chill crawl down his spine. The mention of Anakin John Sheppard shakes him to the core. Anakin isn't just another officer—he's family. The Sheppard lineage has spanned centuries, their influence and legacy etched into the history of the Federation.

John Sheppard, Anakin's ancestor, had woven a complex family tapestry, one that stretched across galaxies. He had married Teyla Emmagan, the Athosian leader and Emin's own ancestor. Together, they had adopted Torrin, though Torrin had never taken the Sheppard name. John and Teyla had two more sons and a daughter, their descendants spreading through the Federation over 300 years.

But John's legacy didn't stop there. Through a fateful bond with Chaya Sar, an ascended being, he fathered a daughter named Maya. Then there was Queen Mara, ruler of Eldred, with whom John had a son, Little John, who later became a king himself. As if that weren't enough, John had also married Larrin, leader of the Travelers, after discovering they had a daughter together, Aria.

It had been a complicated life—one that resulted in not just familial ties but political and diplomatic ones as well. President Henry Hayes, the first leader of the Tau'ri Federation, had granted John Sheppard a special waiver for these marriages, recognizing them as strategic unions. These marriages had strengthened alliances across the Pegasus Galaxy, securing peace through personal and political connections.

Now, Anakin John Sheppard, the latest in that storied line, had been taken by Cerberus. Emin knows the implications. Cerberus has always been a rogue faction, operating in the shadows, its motives often unpredictable and dangerous. If they are using Anakin as leverage, it could destabilize the Federation, not just militarily but politically.

The holovid flickers again, showing the faces of soldiers, battlefields, and the supergate under construction. "Time is running out," Samantha says, her voice cutting through the images. "We need to act now, or we risk losing everything we've worked for. Anakin John Sheppard's capture could be the key to a much larger threat."

The video ends, and the room falls silent. Emin sets the holopad down on his desk, leaning back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. Anakin's capture is more than just a military problem—it's personal. The Sheppard family has played a vital role in the Federation's survival and growth, and any threat to that legacy is a threat to the entire system of alliances that has been built over the centuries.

He knows what needs to be done. First, reinforcements must be sent to the Draconis sector. The supergate project cannot be compromised, and Samantha Carter and her team will need every bit of support the Federation can muster. Second, a covert rescue mission must be authorized to retrieve Anakin. Cerberus is a ruthless organization, and if they intend to use him as a pawn, they must be countered with decisive force.

But there's more. The political situation in Parliament will need to be addressed. The gridlock is suffocating the Federation's ability to act swiftly in times of crisis. Emin will need to rally his allies and push for emergency measures to ensure that military resources can be deployed without delay.

The door slides open again, and Aphi steps inside once more, her face composed. "Sir, shall I begin preparations for an emergency Cabinet meeting?" she asks.

"Yes," Emin replies, standing up from his desk. "Make the arrangements. We need to move fast."

As Aphi leaves the room, as Emin walks back to the window, returning his gaze to the skies above Asura 2. The city, with its futuristic towers and glistening ships, seems peaceful, but he knows that peace is fragile. Took a deep breath as the room fell silent. He closes his eyes, prays to the ancestors who seeded the Pegasus Galaxy with life.

"Anakin," he whispers to himself, thinking the distant cousin whose life now hangs in the balance. With one last look at the city, Emin steps back to his desk and presses the blinking notification that's on his desk.

He stood silently as the holographic figures solidified in front of him. Each face on the display represented a vital piece of the puzzle, and they are there. The Tau'ri Federation's most formidable minds had gathered, a mix of military might, intelligence and legal oversight. He felt the weight of their expectations as he glances over the virtual presence of his cabinet and key ministers.

The figures of the Tau'ri Federation's most powerful military and Intelligence leaders, representing the Ministry of Defense's Joint Defense Council, STRATCOM FLEET COMMAND, JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND AND SPOC, an acronym for Special Operation Command, hovering above the desk.

Emin didn't want to sit at his desk. He had always found sitting behind a desk constraining, especially in moments like these. He paces the room, he looked at each hologram in turn, knowing the course of action decided would set the future of the Federation on a knife's edge.

General Amanda Clark, the current CFMC (Commandant of the Federation Marine Corps) stood out amongst the group. A tall woman with piercing blue eyes and blond hair; from the planet Galaran Prime in the Milky Way.

Next to her is Commander David Sheppard, his hair a dark brunette cut in a neat crew style. He is the current commander of Special Operations Command.

Fleet Admiral Admar Valerian, Commanding of Fleet Command.

Attorney General Oap, a member of the Oannes race, his two tentacles dangling from beneath his chin, although it seems out of place, but his Federation's law acumen is as sharp as any Admiral's strategy. He represents the Ministry of Justice, his role is to ensure that whatever actions being taken remains within the delicate bounds of Federation law.

Alaric Stone, head of the Ministry of Intelligence (MOI). Stone, though absent for the initial part of the conversation, is a vital as person in the room.

"Sorry for the delay," Stone said, his image flickering into the room. "I had business to attend to."

Emin waves off the apology. "No matter, Alaric, You're here now. We have much to discuss." He stood for the moment and took a breath and began. "It has come to my attention that Colonel Anakin John Sheppard has been taken by Cerberus."

"Taken?" David Sheppard's voice broke the quiet room. "I thought that Berserkers destroyed the Constantine with him or board."

"I thought so too, Commander. But recent intelligence shows otherwise. I have a video that...well, I'll let you see for yourself." Emin didn't break his gaze from the gathered holograms.

The room darkens as Emin upload the file to the encrypted feed. The footage is rough and shaky, grainy, and clearly filmed under duress. It showed Cerberus scientist experimenting on Colonel Sheppard. A long syringe plunges into his chest.

Everyone in the room gasps. Even Amanda Clark who rarely showed any reaction, appeared strickened by what she saw.

"Where did this footage come from?" General Eisenberg, the STRATCOM (STRATEGIC COMMAND) demanded.

"General Carter." Emin said as he continues. "A Cerberus agent dropped it off at her door." Emin didn't want to say who gave General Samantha Carter the holovid.

"How the hell did Cerberus get their hands on him?" David sounded angry. "We were told the Berserkers wiped out the Constantine. How could they have taken him?"

"I ask myself that same question." Emin said. "What we're dealing with here is beyond what we intially thought. Cerberus is operating on a scale we didn't anticipate."

Cerberus had always been a dangerous private military corporation, a company that operates on the fringes of legality, offering protection to the outer colonies in exchange for exorbitant fee.

General Amanda Clark broke the silence. "Where is Gunnery Sergeant Charlotte Burke Sheppard now?" A hint of concern in her voice as she lost people close to her and Charlotte fate is of personal to her since she is her husband's cousin's wife.

"She's still on mission with the TFS Avalon," Emin responded, nodding at the commandant. "As of now, Charlotte is not in immediate danger."

David's jaw clenches, frustrated. "And what are we doing in the meantime?" Just sit here?"

Before anyone could respond, Alaric Stone, head of Intelligence spoke up. "Acting without proper intel will be a disaster." he pauses for a moment and continues. "They have bases and subsidiaries spread across multiple galaxies."

"Cerberus may be a rogue entity, any direct military action against them could spark open conflict." The Attorney General stated.

"We don't have time for political bullshit." David snapped. "Every minute we waste, my cousin is suffering."

Amanda stepped in, having a concern look at her husband. "We all want Anakin back, David. But rushing in without a plan will get him killed."

Emin cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the main issue. "We need to focus on three key area: locate Colonel Sheppard, gather intlligence on Cerberus's operations, and prepare for a potential extraction."

General Eisenberg nodded. "I can have STRATCOM begin work on pinpointing potential locations where Cerberus might be holding him. We'll cross reference the video's metadata with known Cerberus facilities."

Admiral Valerian added, "Fleet Command will have ships standing by for any potential strike or extraction. We can deploy rapidly once we have actionable intel."

"And we'll work on the diplomatic front," Oap said. "We'll need to mitigate any potential fallout with the frontier colonies if this escalates."

"Agreed," Emin said. "Alaric, I want your people to keep digging into Cerberus's networks. We need to know how they're pulling this off, and we need to know fast."

Alaric nodded. "We're on it."

The video is supposed to remain classified, seen only those with highest clearance. But the more he thought about it, the more the public need to know what's really going on and who Cerberus is. "I'm going to leak the video of Colonel Sheppard's torture to the media," Emin said with a firm voice. The stunned silence that follows felt like a physical presence in the room. He could see the worry on their faces, even fear.

"Mr. President, are you really prepared for the consequences?" General Jessie Eisenberg as her commander in chief.

"I understand the risks," Emin said calmly as his hands clasp behind his back. "But Cerberus has crossed a line. This can't be buried in classified files and forgotten. The people deserve to know the truth."

"Cerberus won't hesitate to retaliate." Fleet Admiral Admarien Valerian raises his eyebrow.

"I don't care if they send their assassins to take me out," Emin responded with a sharp tone. "I knew the risk the moment I took office. I'm not doing this for me. Cerberus is growing too powerful, and the Tau'ri Federation Parliament has been too slow to react."

"This isn't just exposing Cerberus, is it?" David Sheppard said as he clenches his fist.

"You could say that." Emin said with smile. "Leaking the holovid isn't just about the truth. It's about turning public opinion against Cerberus. Once the media gets hold of this footage, imagine the outrage. The people will demand justice."

"You're forcing their hand." David nodded.

"What about the leak itself?" Oap ask. "If Cerberus suspects that the government leaked the holovid, they'll come after you."

"They won't know it was me. Oap. The media will have no idea where it came from, and when the footage inevitably cause an uproar, I'll be the first one to demand an investigation into the leak." Emin shook his head. "I'll play dumb, act shocked, and call for transparency and accountability."

"You're talking about play 4D chess with Cerberus, the military and the media. Are you sure you can pull this off?" Admiral Valerian crosses his arm and skeptical if the President can pull it off.

"I have no intention of failing, I'm setting precedent that Cerberus is not above the law." Emin gave an unwavering expression and continues. "The Federation have to stand for something, or it stands for nothing."

Amanda nodded, agreeing with her husband's cousin. "What happen happens if Cerberus retaliates violently?"

"They might. But if they do, they'll prove the point I'm trying to make." Emin nodded.

Amanda softens her concern expression. "You're gambling with a lot of lives. Emin."

"I know," Emin said quietly. "But I'm not doing this without thought. I've considered every angle. The truth is, Cerberus has already taken lives. My cousin, for one. I won't sit back and let them get away with it." The room fell silent as Emin's words settled.

"I'll release the holovid through secure, anonymous channels. We have MOI agents embedded in the media who will ensure it gets maximum exposure without revealing it's source." Alaric spoke up.

"I suppose there's no talking you out of this?" Fleet Admiral Valerian sighs and rubbing his chin.

"There isn't," Emin confirmed. I've already made my mind."

"Then we stand with you, Emin. Just be ready for whatever comes next" Amanda exchanges glances and nods slowly.

"Thank you." Emin responds with a smile as he turns back to his console, his fingers hovering over the controls as he prepared to send the holovid file through his encrypted backchannel. He knows that once he press the SEND button, there would be no turning back. The wheels had already been set in motion, and soon the truth about Cerberus would be out in the open for all to see.

As the file uploaded Emin took a deep breath, steeling himself for the storm that was about to follow. He didn't know what Cerberus's response would be, but he wasn't afraid. He had face danger before, and he would face it again if necessary.

All that mattered now was the people of the Federation knew the truth.