Gen. Caldwell had returned to Atlantis with Maj. Lorne, for various meetings. Gen. O'Neill had the heads of Medical, Science, and Engineering departments gathered, with Gen. Caldwell and Gen. Landry for a status meeting.
"Gen. Caldwell, would you like to start us off?" asked O'Neill.
"Yes sir I would." replied Gen. Caldwell, standing up, "Maj. Lorne front and center."
Maj. Lorne stood and moved to in front of Gen. Caldwell at attention.
"Major for your continued leadership, and courage in some of the most difficult circumstances, I am pleased to announce your promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Congratulations soldier!" as Gen. Caldwell saluted him.
"Thank you, sir!" Lorne was grinning from ear to ear.
"Now your first order is to report to the Daedalus and assume command. She's your's Colonel, but take good care of her," replied Gen. Caldwell.
"Yes Sir!" replied Lorne, "May I make a request sir?"
Gen. Caldwell a little confused, "Go ahead Colonel."
"I'd like to request Dr. Rush be assigned to the Daedalus as head of engineering and science on the ship."
McKay, O'Neill, Carter, and Landry, "What?"
"With all due respect I know he is not liked here, he is extremely difficult to deal with. I have been able to develop a connection with him, due to us botlosingng someone we cared about to cancer. I believe I can do him good and in turn, do the program good."
"Gen. Caldwell that's between you and McKay on his assignment." replied O'Neill.
"Take him, he is all yours!" shouted McKay.
"He is yours then Colonel." replied Caldwell.
"Thank you sir!" replied Lorne.
"Now let's get down to business." stated Gen. O'Neill, "Gen. Landry how is the evacuation going?"
"We are five weeks into the evacuation, we think it will take another fourteen or fifthteen weeks to complete. We have 162 worlds evacuated at this time. Teams have met with some resistance, Teyla has been instrumental in convincing them to trust us and evacuate. Or a fly around by Sheppard will usually seal the deal. The Tok'ra have greatly assisted us with expanding the number of villages for the people. Much easier to get two planets on good terms to combine than to get five or six. The Genii have been settled on their own planet due to issues we have seen with them. The Hammond did place a surveillance satellite in orbit. That's where things are at currently." explained Landry.
"Keep up the good work, Gen. Caldwell how goes our war with the Wraith?" asked O'Neill.
"Since our arrival in the Pegasus galaxy, we have had 34 skirmishes with the Wraith. We have been able to overwhelm them in all instances. When we encounter a large force that would have in the past caused us to withdraw, we have made use of the Mark IX Hyperspace Missile that Col. Sheppard designed, and it has more than earned it's keep, we have used nine of the missiles to date, and they have a total of over twenty one hives, 56 cruisers, and too many darts to count." explained Caldwell.
"I have been informed the Mark IX Phase Missile will be ready for testing in another week. It accepts the same warheads as the Hyperspace Missile, however, in stead of jumping through Hyperspace it shifts to a different dimension until detonated when it jumps back to ours." explained O'Neill.
"I look forward to seeing that in action." replied Caldwell.
"Alright Dr. McKay, what's the status on the city ship?" asked O'Neill.
"We have several issues. First thing it crashed on this planet because the stardrive failed. We are trying to identify why it failed, diagnostics is not showing any failure. We caught a break the shield emitters appear to be in working order, with the exception of the one on the pier that is broken entirely off. We are working trying to reattach the pier. That will require pushing the Asgard Transport Beam to it's limit to move the pier close enough that we can attach it again. What is slowing us down right now, is we have not been able to get the Transport system active. The system won't come online, diagnostics won't even run against it either. Structurally we think the ship will be able to make the trip with a few reinforcements here and there, but if the shields fail for any reason it will not be good for anyone on the ship. We still have no way to power the ship to even attempt to fly it out of the atmosphere." explained McKay.
"McKay, you let Gen. Landry or Caldwell know if you need anything." ordered O'Neill, "Dr. Miller how goes your research?"
"I am investigating an idea I have, to see how it will scale. A Neutrino-ion generator, it is a power source the Asgard used to use. I'll need more time in order to investigate and determine the power output of it, and at what scale we will need. In addition, we have installed a depleted Z.P.M. into each recharging station here on Atlantis. Operations will no longer be steering away from storms, and will steer us towards those within our containment zone." replied Jeannie.
"Col. Carter what are your current orders?" asked Caldwell, "As I have not been here."
"Sir, we are currently undergoing some retrofitting, to better enable the Hammond as our first full scale science vessel. Currently the plans I have seen we will only be loosing space for two F-302s otherwise we will be retain the same fighting capabilities. That should be complete by end of the week." replied Carter.
"Gen. O'Neill do we have a green light for Project Recovery?" asked Caldwell.
O'Neill nodding, "Yes Project Recovery is a go."
"Col. Carter you will be spearheading Project Recovery. There are a couple of worlds you will take the Hammond and your teams to investigate looking for technology that we can use. Your first assignment will be Tollana. We are specifically looking at their ion canons, phase shifting technology, and their security device. If you find anything else of interest then we certainly are interested in that as well. We have several other planets as well. You will be kept busy." ordered Caldwell.
"Yes, sir! Looking forward to it." replied Carter.
"Alright campers, anyone have anything else?" asked O'Neill.
"Sir you have taken Vala off SG-1?" asked Landry.
"Yes, she is on special assignment. Currently, it's classified." replied Landry.
"Classified? Our entire existence is top secret." replied Landry.
"Let's just call it need to know, and for the moment nobody else needs to know, but if she makes contact, I am to be informed immediately." replied O'Neill.
"Gen. O'Neill, Dr. Lam had a suggestion that I think would help us with our relations with the Jaffa." spoke up Beckett.
"We will discuss that in our next meeting Becket, your invited to present it." replied O'Neill, "If nothing else your dismissed."
"Going to grab some Jell-0, before the next meeting." said O'Neill. He headed in the direction of the mess hall.
Col. Carter fell in step with him, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." grinned Carter.
"So Tollana, you think there is something left there for us to find?" asked Carter.
"Yes, I think the question is how many pieces is it in." replied O'Neill.
"So I get to reassemble the puzzle?" asked Carter.
"Think of it as a 3-D puzzle." replied O'Neill. They had reached the mess hall, O'Neill was disappointed to find no blue jell-o. So he opted for a coffee, said his good byes to his wife and headed back upstairs for another meeting.
This time Woolsey, Landry, Caldwell, Teal'c, Freya, and Bra'tac for a meeting with their closest allies. Dr. Beckett and Dr. Lam would be presenting their idea to the group.
"Good afternoon campers! Master Bra'tac it is good to see you!" exclaimed O'Neill.
"O'Neill it has been too long, my friend." replied Bra'tac.
"OK Doctor's let's here your plan." replied O'Neill.
"This is Dr. Lam's idea, I'll let her explain." replied Beckett.
"I had the opportunity to speak to Teal'c about the needs of the Jaffa. Tretonin is of course needed by many. Also as I understand it's a point of concern for many Jaffa that either the Tok'ra or we would use it as a negotiating ploy." explained Carolyn.
"Many Jaffa feel we have traded one master for another." explained Bra'tac.
"That has never been the intent." replied Woolsey.
"Dr. Lam, please continue." interjected Landry.
"Carson and I were talking and we need a way to make the tretonin as easily as possible to create. After much discussion without training the Jaffa to become experts in chemistry and biology it is not practical for them to make. Freya here had an idea, we grow it." explained Carolyn.
"There are not enough symbiotes to use in this manner, that is why we need the tretonin, Dr. Lam." explained Teal'c.
"We are not referring to growing symbiotes to create the tretonin, but to introduce the required genetic code into another more readily available source that could be grown on nearly every planet." explained Freya.
"Using the genetics lab, we have created a version of a dandelion that can be easily cooked and eaten or drank to get your tretonin." explained Becket.
"What is this dandelion?" asked Bra'tac.
Teal'c answered, "A friend introduced me this one time. It is weed here on earth that produces a flower that young children like to give to their mothers."
Bra'tac, raised an eyebrow in doubt.
"We choose the dandelion because it grows in a variety of environments, it already has immune boosting properties. We did also modify it so that is does not produce seeds anymore, but only spreads by it's roots. This can then be planted and cultivated in fields, and it spreads quickly but is easy to maintain it in a contained area." explained Beckett.
"Dandelions? Teal'c your going to be a flower child yet." joked O'Neill.
"Your prepared to share this with the Jaffa?" asked Bra'tac.
"We are once, those in charge give us the OK." replied Carolyn. Everyone was now focused on O'Neill.
"I have just one question how is this going to bite us later?" asked O'Neill.
"Well, humans should not eat this variety. That would be bad, if they ate enough they would have the same issues as the Pangarans." replied Beckett.
"That would be bad, so how do we keep that from happening?" asked Landry.
"We could first change the flower color so it is distinguished from a real dandelion." replied Carolyn.
"Leaf pattern could also be changed." replied Beckett.
"Look I want to give it to you right now Bra'tac, but at the same time the dandelion is known for invasive it can be. I don't want this getting out having a world of people eating it and getting their immune system destroyed." informed O'Neill.
"I understand O'Neill, let us not create a new problem by solving another problem." replied Bra'tac, "How is the taste? Could it not be modified as well so that nobody would want to eat it? Could the juice of the plant not be injected?"
"I think we could do that." replied Beckett.
"Then make that your top priority Beckett, taste nasty, purple, and injectable." replied O'Neill. Beckett and Carolyn took their queue to exit the conference room.
Teal'c speaking up, "General O'Neill do you think it would be possible for some Jaffa, to train to be members of the off world teams?"
"No, and Yes Teal'c" answered O'Neill.
"O'Neill I do not understand." replied Bra'tac.
"Indeed." shared Teal'c.
"No the Jaffa as a whole will currently not be able to join the the off world teams. However, if Master Bra'tac and yourself, have someone they would recommend and support, then yes we can make an exception for them to join the training, but they must make it through the training that Ronon and you have created." replied O'Neill.
"You have once again shown wisdom O'Neill, for I do not fully trust all divisions of the Free Jaffa currently." replied Bra'tac, "Teal'c and I will discuss some names, from our own supporters and those of others that we feel would be honorable. If they fail to meet the training requirements, then so be it."
"O'Neill this will go a long way toward restoring the faith in the Tau'ri for the Jaffa Council." replied Bra'tac.
"Master Bra'tac I would like for us to continue meeting like this, maybe once a month, so that we can keep relations up." replied Woolsey.
"Freya, I would first like to extend my thanks once again to the Tok'ra for your assistance on Corlan and on the new Genii homeworld. This would not have been possible, without the help of the Tok'ra." replied O'Neill.
"Thank you General. The Tok'ra are first more than happy to help in this noble effort and our gratitude for the assistance of the Taur'i over the years in fighting the the Goa'uld." replied Freya, "In addition General, I would thank you for the access to the Ancient technology that you have granted. Access to the medical scanners are of great importance to us. In addition, as you know Egeria was lost to us, the Tok'ra population currently does not have a way to grow. Any assistance you can provide to keep both our hosts and symbiotes healthy would be appreciated."
"We will do all that we can." replied O'Neill.
"Unfortunately Gen. O'Neill and myself are needed at an I.O.A. meeting." replied Woolsey.
"Master Bra'tac I hope you stay around for a little while, maybe we could have dinner tonight." replied O'Neill.
With that, O'Neill and Woolsey headed to the operations room where the Odyssey would beam them to Paris for the meeting. O'Neill and Woolsey immediately took their seat.
Woolsey taking the lead, "I would like to call this meeting to order, please let the record reflect Russel Chapman is attending as the British Representative, Shen Xiaoyi is attending as the Chinese Represenative, Jean LaPierre is representing French Representative, Dr. Svetlana Markov is representing Russia, and James Coolidge is representing the United States. Gen. O'Neill is representing Homeworld Command, and Richard Woolsey as Homeworld Command liason."
"It is good to see you again Gen. O'Neill." Markov greeted.
"I did not expect to see you here on the I.0.A." replied O'Neill.
"We are all busy please let us get started." replied Coolidge.
"Gen. O'Neill will you please update the council on the the current status?" asked O'Neill.
"Sure thing Richard.", replied O'Neill, "We are five weeks into the evacuation of the of the Pegasus galaxy. Knock on wood, so far things are going smoothly. We have relocated over one fifty worlds, including the largest in the Pegasus galaxy. We re anticipating another fourteen to fifteen weeks to complete. Corlan the new world most folks are be relocated to, is progressing very well. Our off world allies the Nox are supplying the food, and the Tok'ra have used their tunneling crystals to create villages and towns spread around the planet. Goa'uld Transport rings have been installed to allow for travel between villages and the stargate. In addition, we have a larger main city, that will contain traders market for people on the planet, as well as facilities for an off world training facility. We intend to setup security personal as well at this location, made up of Earth, and Jaffa personal."
"Do you think it is wise to bring the Jaffa with these people?" asked LaPierre.
"Yes, I do. We just came from a meeting with the Jaffa. We will have soon a form of a plant that can be grown that will provide the Tretonin they need. Providing this to the Free Jaffa will go a long way to re-establishing relations with them. In addition, we won't be accepting just any Jaffa to train or participate into the security force, but those recommended by Teal'c and Master Bra'tac. They will have to pass the training requirements setup by Teal'c and Ronon Dex, and believe me when I say not everyone is going to pass."
"Speaking of this training, I find that it's current measures are ridiculous. Forcing members to drop out of the training. I believe we will need to review this training." interjected Xiaoyi.
"I have received similar word from those from the United Kingdom on this training." replied Chapman.
"With all due respect, we may now have the best training program that we have ever had for off world teams. Ronon Dex and Teal'c each have proved many times their fighting skills are the best in two galaxies. I have witnessed their training, it is agressive, however, nobody is washed out. Two ways to leave the training, one pass the training, or quit. Neither Teal'c or Ronon expect everyone to progress at the same pace. Some recruits have excelled, Lt. Andrews in particular has been a stand out, not only has she showed her abilities, but was directly responsible for Lt. Adams, Com. Yang, Lt. Bendlin, and Lt. Petit. excelling as she influenced them to continue. Those five will be the first to pass training, and have already received off world experience due to it. In fact Lt. Adams and Com. Yang are being considered as training officers, as they both seem to be showing an understanding of what Teal'c and Ronon are looking for in a recruit." explained O'Neill.
"I understand your concerns, but I can assure that while we have had about 20 recruits that have dropped out of the training, those that have remained are showing considerable improvements everyday." replied Woolsey.
"In addition, the Daedalus and Apollo are providing security on P4J-392. They are taking turns engaging the Wraith and have dealt a series blow to the wraith. The Mark IX Hyperspace Missiles are proving to be quiet effective. In addition, the Mark IX Phase Missile is nearing the testing phase. In the past five weeks they have taken out twenty one hives, and fifty-six cruisers, plus additional smaller craft."
"This is impressive Gen. O'Neill. Is that entirely due to the new missile?" asked Markov.
"No Doctor, they do not use the Mark IX except in those situations they can take out multiple targets, preferably multiple hive ships." replied O'Neill.
"I understand that we have found a way to create new Z.P.M.s?" asked Coolidge.
"No we have not found a way to create Z.P.M.s, we have found a way to recharge them. The geeks can explain how it works, but essentially as I understand it, the Z.P.M. Recharger can channel the equivalent of millions of lightning strikes into a Z.P.M. and the energy is stored in sub space something." explained O'Neill, "Before you all get excited we do not have enough lightning to be able to charge these effectively. We are working to salvage the city ship located on P4J-392 and bring it back to the Milky Way to place on PB2-908, or Heliopolis. This puts the device relatively close to Earth, our ships can be there in under 20 minutes. Our scanners cover this planet, so we can monitor for any threats and have ships arriving before the threat arrives. Unfortunately, the city ship is bad repair, only a single tower remains standing. Teams are working to repair it enough to fly it back here to the Milky Way, that remains to be seen."
"What is the reason for putting it on this other planet?" asked Xiaoyi.
"Heliopolis is a world that has nearly continual hurricane storms. With the central spire rising high from the surface we should be able to attract a large number of lightning strikes on a much larger scale than anything here on Earth. In addition we should be able to use this lightning to power the shields from this storm to protect the city ship. The goal is to be ableto recharge Z.P.M.s at a much faster rate that we could here on Earth." replied O'Neill.
"That is excellent news when will you know if it is viable?" asked Chapman.
"When I know, Woolsey will know. There are several hurdles that must be overcome first." replied O'Neill, "Also we have started Project Recovery, examining worlds for new tech we can use. Tollana is our first stop on that project."
"We have heard a lot about the Pegasus galaxy what about the Milky Way? Our own galaxy?" asked Coolidge.
"We've been monitoring the Lucian Alliance, they are currently our biggest threat in this galaxy. We are monitoring them and watching for any kind of move." replied O'Neill, "Otherwise things are quiet. The Tok'ra are working to rebuild their civilization, the Jaffa are trying to establish their Free Nation and stand on their feet. We have also come across some Ancient devices for mining resources, we are examining the technology and possibly advancing the design with Asgard Technology to help offset the costs of building well anything. Our Homeworld teams continue to go over Atlantis and we learn new things all the time."
The meeting went for another three hours, with O'Neill answering many of their questions and going over the same things many more times. He was excited when he was finally able to beam back to Atlantis for the night.