Things have changed for humans since the Battle for Earth. Ascension was not the instant bucket of knowledge that many had believed. It was shared knowledge, while the Ancients were willing to share and had the discipline to not share things they shouldn't, the new ascended beings lacked that discipline. While the Ancients carried significant knowledge with them to ascension the humans did not have the breadth of knowledge they did.
McKay stating, "Look a few of us more talented ones like myself should start going through the repository of knowledge, our capacity to learn is a thousand times what it was, we can increase our ascension knowledge drastically."
"Yes but what if you come across something that shouldn't be shared?" asked Miller.
"Then I won't share it," replied McKay.
"Look half the base can't look Jennifer in the face because of images you shared!" replied Miller.
"That was before we understood how this worked," replied McKay.
"Look we just need to be careful, and Commander O'Neill put me in charge of the repository," replied Miller.
"Look you don't understand ascension since you haven't ascended yet," replied McKay.
"And I'm not going to till Madison comes of age," replied Miller.
"Look we have learned there is a big difference between knowing, understanding and applying knowledge. Most of the ascended know what I have shared, only a few understand it, and outside of the few scientists here most can't apply it," replied McKay.
"Sorry Mer, but for the time being, the repository is off-limits," replied Miller.
Later that day Mitchell had a meeting with Major Hailey who had been promoted, and Dr. Zalenka.
"So tell me a bit more about the rim," spoke Mitchell.
"Well the way we see it, even the Ancients didn't know about the center of the universe or the Quichean which is where they originated. They had no knowledge of the rim or edge of the universe as well. Nobody knows how far the universe extends. We would like to start exploring that part of the universe, to see if we can find the edge or rim as you would call it," replied Zalenka.
"Look the center of the universe was an amazing discovery, but what else is out there? Is there an end?" asked Hailey.
"Let me talk to Commander O'Neill," replied Mitchell.
A week later O'Neill was talking with Carter while they played with Samantha, Jackalyn, and Jacob.
"So Cam really wants to go back out on a deep space mission?" asked Carter.
"Appears so, I thought he was going stir crazy on Destiny. But he did everything but get on one knee wanting this mission to explore the edge of the universe," replied O'Neill.
"I wonder what changed?" asked Carter.
"If I had to bet, Nicole," replied O'Neill.
"Yeah they are such an item," replied Carter, "I'm surprised the two of them haven't ascended."
"He says he wants to stay grounded," replied O'Neill.
"I get it, I wanted to stay human for our kids, then they ascended on their own," replied Carter.
"Well our three kids teach us more about ascension that Hammond or Fraiser have been able to," replied O'Neill.
"So what are you going to do?" asked Carter.
"I'm thinking about granting the mission," replied O'Neill.
Two weeks later Woosley had called a meeting of the council.
"Good morning everyone. I'm here to present to you what I believe is our final proposal for a new Alliance Government," spoke Woosley.
"All the worlds have agreed to it?" asked Doci.
"Yes they have," replied Woosley.
"Well let's hear it," replied O'Neill.
"The Alliance would be made up of a central council. The Langara, Hebridan, Nox, Tok'ra, Furlings, Corlan, and Galaran would each have a seat on the council. Remoc, Othalla plus colonies, and the Ori Galaxy would each have two seats on the council. Earth and all colonies would have three members. Any member can be ascended or not, does not matter. This council will be the central law-making authority. It will be given authority over all the military units. The military will answer directly to the Supreme Commander, who shall be chosen by the council. Day to day activities will be run by the Supreme Commander and his staff. The Council shall meet each month to review the Supreme Commander and issue any new laws," spoke Woosley.
"Great that means I get to retire!" exclaimed O'Neill.
"Actually no. All parties agree to this only if you are the supreme commander," explained Woosley.
"What? You just said the council gets to choose the supreme commander," replied O'Neill.
"And they have all mandated their council members will choose you," replied Woosley.
Bra'tac smiled, "Commander O'Neill you are the most trusted person in this universe."
"I'm never going to get to fish again," replied O'Neill.
After much debate and review, the final full articles were accepted by the Alliance council. Leaving out of the council chambers O'Neill caught up to Thrud.
"How is your father doing?" asked O'Neill.
"I do not know. Sol, Mani, and my father have taken a DN-1103a and disappeared. They disabled the communication system so we can not track them," replied Thrud.
"You didn't think this was something to mention?" asked O'Neill.
"I understand your concern. I do not believe we need to fear the actions of my father," replied Thrud.
"Let me know if you hear from him," replied O'Neill.
A week later O'Neill summoned Mitchell to his office.
"Sir, is this regarding the mission I requested?" asked Mitchell.
"Yes, it does," replied O'Neill.
"You're denying it?" asked Mitchell.
"No, you have a go, but there are some requirements," spoke O'Neill.
"That's fine sir, what are they?" asked Mitchell.
"You and your team will need to work with Dr. McKay, Dr. Miller and Commander Caldwell on a new ship design, the DNE-2000," ordered O'Neill.
"DNE-2000?" asked Mitchell.
"Dreadnought Explorer 2000, will be the designation. It must be able to pack a punch by itself, and contain the science labs necessary," replied O'Neill.
"Awesome, my team?" asked Mitchell.
"Dr. Zalenka, Maj. Hailey, Dr. Gardner, Ginn, and Eli Wallace," replied O'Neill.
"No Daniel?" asked Mitchell.
"Daniel and Vala will be staying here," replied O'Neill.
"May I request Dr. Nicole Keller as head of medical?" asked Mitchell.
"Granted, and you can name the new ship," replied O'Neill grinning.
"Curiosity," replied Mitchell.
"The last message from Destiny?" asked O'Neill.
"Yes sir," replied Mitchell.
Mitchell didn't waste any time he met with his team immediately and started getting the requirements put together. Making sure the scientists and required labs were the first order of business and determining the military force they could accommodate. Mitchell realized they would be multiple jumps away from help if needed, they had to maintain a significant military posture. Everyone was working on what sciences and what labs would be needed.
A great ceremony was called as the first council was being seated. Jonas Quinn was the council member for Langara. Teyla was selected from Corlan. Freya represented the Tok'ra on the council. Mir represented the Furlings. Lya would continue to represent the Nox. Varta would represent the Galarans. Dal'Moran would represent the Hebrideans. Bra'tac and Cha'ra would represent Remoc. Doci and Tomin would represent the Ori galaxy. Thrud and Carson would represent the Asgard. Hammond, Fraiser, and Woosley would represent Earth and it's colonies. Each council member was greeted with fanfare. Donovan was hosting the event on the new Universal News Network. Part of the alliance had been establishing a single news channel for all planets. A single source of news that all could see and know what is going on. Once all of the council was seated in the chamber everyone was waiting for the first action.
"I would like to make the motion that Jonathan O'Neill be selected as Supreme Commander of the Alliance," spoke Bra'tac.
Thrud spoke up, "I second that motion."
A cheer went up from around the room of bystanders.
Woosley spoke up, "All of those in favor?"
Quinn spoke, "Aye!"
Teyla replied, "Aye!"
Lya answered, "Aye!"
Varta answered, "Aye."
Mir replied, "Aye!"
Freya spoke up, "Aye!"
Cha'ra spoke, "Aye!"
Doci answered, "Aye!"
Tomin replied, "Aye!"
Thrud and Carson in unison, "Aye!"
Dal'Moran answered, "Aye."
Bra'tac answered, "Aye!"
Fraiser answered, "Aye! Why not!"
Hammond answered, "Aye! None better for the job!"
Woosley spoke last, "Aye, for a unanimous decision."
Donovan over the UNN channel, "There you have it, folks, the first act of the new council. Jonathan O'Neill will continue as our Supreme Commander."
Woosley breathed a sigh of relief. He had spent the past two and a half years working out the details of this alliance. Earth and Remoc had proved to be the most difficult. Few politicians on Earth wanted to give up their power, but it was the will of the people that forced the change. Elections in the former United States resulted in zero cast ballets, this was played out in several other countries around the world. Infrastructure changes forced other changes as no longer needing oil, reduced some countries to poverty status quickly, which forced them to accept changes.
Remoc had been a different battle altogether. They had just fought to remove the shackles of slavery to false gods, now to surrender to the Tau'ri. Cha'ra had helped move the final votes of the Jaffa Council.
Some council members had duel rolls. Bra'tac oversaw the training of troops. Fraiser was chief of the medical systems. Tomin assisted Bra'tac with the troops, along with Teal'c and Ronin. Quinn took on the role of antiquities director, much to Daniel Jackson's relief. Dal'Moran oversaw the shipyards for non-military ship construction.
Mitchell along with Gardner, Hailey, Eli, Ginn, and Zalenka had traveled to the Pegasus Shipyard to meet with Caldwell. Miller and McKay had joined them as well.
"We are thinking structure similar to the DN-1105, but with a more robust internal structure to accommodate the science labs?" spoke Caldwell.
"That sounds acceptable," replied Mitchell.
"What size crew are you looking at?" asked Simpson.
"I'm thinking a complement of two hundred F-71's, and another two hundred ground forces. Reducing down to those levels we should be able to accommodate the extra scientists and labs," replied Mitchell.
"I'm recommending space for another one hundred scientists. That will include biology, chemistry, geology, physics, technical and archaeology departments with their labs," replied Hailey.
"Here are the specs on their labs, they will need," replied Miller.
"This is over eighty different labs?" replied Caldwell.
"Yes, each is geared toward a particular study and need," replied Miller.
"Also do not forget all of the storage units we will need," replied Gardner.
"Storage crystals will hold much of your supplies so storage units won't be necessary," replied Simpson.
"I'm not talking about supplies, artifacts we find along the way that we need to store," replied Gardner.
"Can't those be put into storage crystals?" asked Caldwell.
"We can not count on the technology always be compatible," replied Gardner.
"What other requirements?" asked Caldwell.
"Here is the medical bays we will need," replied Nicole Keller.
"Three medical bays? A medical pod for each person on board, and an additional fifty?" asked Simpson.
"Yes in case we need to put the entire crew in stasis, and extra if we have visitors," replied Nicole Keller.
"Inter-dimensional Energy Collector, newest hyperdrive which I think is now at 900 light-years per second, wormhole drive at the four billion light-year range, and sub-light engines at 99.99% percent. You know the newest of everything," replied Mitchell.
"Anything else?' asked Caldwell.
"Oh yes they will need a nanite construction center for creating well virtually anything and extra materials for building just about anything," replied McKay.
"That it?" asked Caldwell.
"Yes," replied Mitchell.
"Let us see what we can come up with," replied Caldwell.
Later that week, Carter was having lunch with Nicole and Mitchell.
"You all asked for a lot from Caldwell. He was on with Jack for an hour talking about it," spoke Carter.
"We asked for everything we could possibly need out there," replied Mitchell.
"Which is why Jack said build it," replied Carter.
"Was worried the Commander would say no to some of it," replied Nicole.
"I think Jack asked for a few things for you all as well," replied Carter.
"Like what?" asked Mitchell.
"You will see," grinned Carter.
O'Neill was met with Bra'tac, Tomin, Teal'c, and Ronon to go over new training procedures. Ground forces would need to be trained for a variety of environments they could be sent to. Six new training facilities were being constructed, along with a new training station that would accommodate weightless combat training. The alliance now had millions of volunteers to train. Many went to flight training where Larin was in charge. A new base was being created on Mars for training pilots. All pilots were required to pass the combat training.
Larin worked with Caldwell to create the B-74 an orbital bomber, CT-72 heavy transport for moving supplies and ground troops, and the S-79 a stealth reconnaissance ship. Sheppard took things a bit further, with the C-1300 carrier for the F-71's, B-74's and S-79's. Then the D-99 a destroyer class ship one-tenth the size of a DN-1103, with equal firepower. With influence from Dr. Jennifer Keller, multiple medical ships, M-51's were being built to help in medical situations, each with two thousand medical pods, and medical laboratories. Simpson had created an advanced CC-307 called the CC-307A construction carrier. A massive ship capable of quickly creating structures in space, or on land.
The Alliance Fleet was being transformed into a multi-role fleet, for everything from humanitarian missions, to battle groups. Older ships were being retired in favor of the new. Sheppard had a goal of a fleet in Pegasus, Ori, Milky Way, Othalla, New Othalla, and Center the name given to the galaxy at the center of the universe. Each fleet would consist of a C-1300, five D-99's, two M-51's, one CC-307A and five CT-72's. Additional fleet groups would be added as their area of influence expanded.
Caldwell was kept busy trying to produce the ships being requested for the Alliance Guard, while Dal'Moran oversaw the non-military shipyards, he reported to Caldwell as well.
Every planet was looking to expand their space travel, using ships for travel via stargate, and ships via hyperspace. McKay and Carter had created plans for building onto the supergates, with multiple per galaxy for traversing between galaxies and even shortcuts within a galaxy. These were being constructed by a dozen CC-307A's that had been built.
Prime Station was making considerable changes, as access to Primus was being opened to more individuals. For an A.I. with no emotion, Primus seemed elated with the attention he was receiving. Prime Station was being expanded with meeting rooms and quarters for staying. All manners of scientists were meeting with him to learn from him. In fact, Hailey and Zalenka spent considerable time questioning him about the Rim, only to learn this was not something the A.I. had ever pondered.
Weeks turned into months as Mitchell and team waited on the DNE-2000 to be built. Three months after meeting with Caldwell they were finally invited back to Pegasus shipyard to view the ship designs.
"We have made a series of changes, we are not using the Destiny form, instead we extended vertical arch to circle back into the central frame. This gave us room to allow four hundred F-71's and one hundred S-79's onboard, through these two central launching bays here in the center of the arches. In addition, we were able to add in all eighty-four labs plus an additional sixteen open labs for expanding if needed. If you look here along the ventral side we have created a modified construction platform similar to a CC-307A," spoke Caldwell.
"That is amazing, the extra military will help ensure our safety," replied Mitchell.
"Good thinking on the extra labs, we had not thought of that," replied Zalenka.
"What about storage?" asked Gardener.
"Located here, we have storage lockers for small to large scale items. Each with individual shielding and each has an emergency transport to beam the contents out into space," replied Simpson.
"Are those rotating plasma cannons?" asked Mitchell.
"Those are our newest weapons platforms. Two platforms on the dorsal and two on the ventral, each contains a new 4,000 terajoules plasma cannon, along with four 1,000 terajoule plasma cannons, and fifty thousand drones with a launcher. This is in addition to one hundred 1,000 terajoule plasma cannons scattered around the ship," replied Caldwell.
"Sweet!" exclaimed Mitchell.
"You know I found that by having the five cannons fire and targetting a small radius like that, the 1,000 terajoule blasts actually multiplies the effect of the 4,000 terajoule blast," spoke McKay.
"Thanks, Rodney!" replied Mitchell.
"Also the weapons can be stowed behind blast doors in the hull. Advances we have done have shrunk the size of them making this possible," replied Caldwell.
"One last surprise, landing gear," replied Simpson.
"Landing gear?" asked Hailey.
"Yes," replied Caldwell.
"Where are we supposed to find a place to park it?" asked Mitchell.
"You have it, just in case you need it," replied Caldwell.
"And you will have a stargate on board for dialing out," replied Simpson.
"Yes, the new model has a built-in forcefield and has the ability to reverse dial as well. Much easier to power with a naquadah generator if necessary," replied Zalenka.
"Yes another marvel thanks to, well me!" replied McKay.
"Kinda used to that," replied Mitchell.
"Yes but this, is one of the new ones that Dr. McKay and Commander Carter have created," replied Caldwell.
"So is when is Curiosity going to be ready?" asked Mitchell.
"We need four months," replied Simpson.
"Four months? What about the time dilation construction with the nanites?" asked Mitchell.
"We have a number of ships ahead of Curiosity in the schedule, and that ship is going to require the materials of at least two DN-1103's. That takes time," replied Caldwell.
The new bases on Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and Titan were proving to be a great success. Mars had become a major flight training for both military and civilian pilots. Europa was even beginning the construction of a base under the ice of the moon. Aquatic life was found below the crust, surviving in the layer of the liquid water that existed. Marine-biologists and Extraterrestrial-biologists were jumping at the chance to study this new life. Titan and Enceladus had become a popular travel destination for viewing the sky with mighty Jupiter or Saturn in the sky.
Jon O'Neill found himself sitting in the observation lounge at the Mars flight training center. He had been re-assigned there to assist Larin.
Larin walked in, "Your look like you just lost your favorite pet."
"Hey Larin, sorry just trying to find my place," replied Jon O'Neill.
"Mars isn't it," replied Larin.
"How did you know?" asked Jon O'Neill.
Walking in behind Jon, was Jack O'Neill, "Because I told her."
Jon turning to face Jack and jumping to attention, "Sir!"
"Oh knock that crap off!" replied Jack O'Neill.
"I'll leave the two of you alone," replied Larin leaving.
"You come to harass me more?" asked Jon O'Neill.
"Harass you?" asked Jack O'Neill.
"Well every time I see you, I remember what you have that I don't," replied Jon O'Neill.
"You got youth! Look your what twenty-five with the knowledge of a forty-year-old," replied Jack O'Neill.
"Yeah but you got the job," replied Jon O'Neill.
"Trust me you don't want it," replied Jack O'Neill.
"Your able to ascend," replied Jon O'Neill.
"Not all it's cracked up to be. So nobody has been able to ascend you?" asked Jack O'Neill.
"Nope, whatever Thor did to me seems to block it. Plus you got the girl!" replied Jon O'Neill.
"Ok, I'll give you that one," grinned Jack O'Neill.
"So what do you want?" asked Jon O'Neill.
"Least I can do for you. You pick your assignment," replied Jack O'Neill.
"I can choose my assignment?" asked Jon O'Neill.
"That's what I said," replied Jack O'Neill.
Jon thought about it, "Galaran."
"Galaran? We do need a new commander there for a training base," replied Jack O'Neill.
"I'll take it!" replied Jon O'Neill.
Jon O'Neill was assigned as the commander of the Galaran training facility. They had been a trading partner for some time, only recently had joined the alliance, as it was forming into a single governmental system. One of the first acts of the Alliance Council under the new system was to ban the use of memory modification technology. Something Mitchell was pleased to see. Jon O'Neill would be in charge of the base.
Back in Altera, Dr. Beckett had been doing some research into the Jaffa physiology. He had made progress in the gene-sequencing that would be necessary to remove the Jaffa's dependence on Goa'uld symbiotes or trentonin. He hoped to provide the Jaffa with even more independence.
Keller stepped into Beckett's Lab, "Hey Carson lunch?"
"Can't right now. I'm waiting on this gene resequencing to complete. I think I have the formula correct for the Jaffa," replied Beckett.
"That's excellent!" exclaimed Keller, looking over at the Wraith formula unused. They had been given the green light to try it on the wraith if they volunteered but never had been able to get a mission to go.
Beckett seeing her look, "I know hun. I want to help the wraith as well."
"Wonder if they will ever let us?" asked Keller.
"Maybe we could take one of your M-51's and do it," replied Beckett.
"You know I helped design them, and I have never gotten to see one of them," replied Keller.
Beckett looked confused, "Why not?"
"Only two have been built, and they are out with crews being trained," replied Keller.
Just then the machine completed its sequencing. Becket looked over the results, "Well not fully effective, but it's a step closer."
"What's not right?" asked Keller.
"See this gene section here? ... That's the section that gives Jaffa longer life, it's turned off," replied Beckett.
"I always thought it was the symbiote that did that," replied Keller.
"We all thought that as well until we were able to start studying their genetic makeup with this equipment. The Gou'ald symbiote just keeps them healthy," replied Beckett.
"Let's go grab some lunch," replied Keller.
Weeks went by slowly for some, quickly for others. O'Neill had the Enterprise rebuilt, with an extended lab area for Carter to work from. They were hardly around the same planet for more than a single night. O'Neill made it a policy to keep up with all the bases, planets and stations. They were constantly traveling. Vala and Jackson would come to visit them on their ship as often as they could get away. Jackson had spent considerable time with his grandfather learning and writing everything he had learned. Vala had been going over every known detail from the Furlings, and from Ballard on the Nakai.
O'Neill had met with Mir of the Furlings and learned much of what he suspected. The Nakai would torture their captives, not for sport, but pleasure. The types of torture Mir described were beyond anything he could suspect. O'Neill understood Vala and Thor's response to that temple the Nakai had built to depict their torture. The Nakai would be watched carefully for any further aggression.
"It doesn't make any sense," exclaimed Jackson.
O'Neill just tuning into Daniel, "I'm sorry what doesn't make any sense?"
"The Nakai, they are one of the original races, yet they do not seem to be anywhere near the level of the Ancients, or the Ginn," replied Jackson.
"Maybe they were the dumb ones," replied O'Neill.
"Maybe they were the dumb ones?" smirked Jackson.
"Who cares!" exclaimed Vala, "If you see one you don't stop shooting till they are dust!"
"She has a point. From what I learned from Mir, I can see no redemption in the Nakai," replied O'Neill.
"I agree!" shouted Vala.
"We can't just go in with guns blazing," spoke Carter.
"No, and we won't. We will try to establish some peace with them, but with a heavy dose of skepticism," replied O'Neill.
"Change of subject, how long are you all able to stay this time? We love it when you visit us on the Enterprise," replied Carter.
"We were hoping for a few weeks. We wanted to experience Samantha, Jacob, and Jacklyn a little," replied Jackson.
"Experience?" asked Carter.
O'Neill grinning, "How far along?"
Vala grinning, "Four months, Dr. Fraiser thinks I have probably a month to go. You know how these advanced babies are."
"Congratulations!" cried Carter.
"So what happened to tell you they were advanced?" asked O'Neill.
"He or she, started levitating some trinkets for me," replied Vala.
"Wait your kid is pick-pocketing?" asked Carter.
"Seriously?" replied O"Neill.
"Yeah I'm usually picked clean before I can leave our quarters," replied Jackson.
"Only you Vala!" replied Carter.
"What can I say?" asked Vala.
Before long the four months had slipped by and the DNE-2000 Curiosity was completed. The Enterprise was the only ship larger than the Curiosity with it's ventral and dorsal arc. O'Neill had traveled to the shipyard to see the unveiling of the Curiosity. Caldwell, Mitchell, O'Neill, Nicole Keller, Hailey, Zalenka, Gardner, Ginn, and Wallace were all on the shuttlecraft making it's way to the Curiosity.
Caldwell spoke, "We'll be there in a minute. She's a beauty!"
"So why take a shuttle? Instead of transporting?" asked Mitchell.
"We try to keep our EM presence here as low as possible. The location of this base is secret, that we do not intend to give away easily," replied Caldwell.
About this time Curiosity came into view. A dock twice the size of any others lay before them. It was like a pin with wings branching out from it's two sides. Looking at her, not a single weapon could be seen.
"Any kind of sensor scan that we know about, can't penetrate the shields, and no visual inspection will show any weapons," replied Caldwell.
"Space for five hundred pilots, two hundred ground forces, and one hundred scientists all on board, with one hundred lab spaces," spoke Simpson.
"Impressive," spoke O'Neill.
"As you can see there, is the observatory, a botanical area, and if you notice those are two CT-72 Heavy Transports docked on each side," replied Simpson.
"This is different than the design you showed us. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like you added an additional level to the ship?" asked Mitchell.
"Keen eye, and yes they did. I asked for them to make a docking system that would allow the CT-72's to attach to the main ship. Those could come in handy," replied O'Neill.
"I don't object," replied Mitchell.
"How much power is it pulling?" asked Zalenka.
"It has to be right up there with Altera," replied Hailey.
"As you know the Inter-dimensional Energy Collectors can pull from multiple universes at once. However, it's the conduit that limits it. So we have five collectors installed and spread throughout the ship. If one goes out, they others can compensate, but they are there to power certain sections," replied Simpson.
"Question is how many more to build?" asked Caldwell.
"Just this one at the moment. Sheppard's Fleets are the priority," replied O'Neill.
The shuttle landed in one of the landing bays. It took up one-third of the middle level of the ship, with the other landing bay taking up another third. Mitchell and his team made their way to the bridge.
"Let them go explore. It's their new toy," replied O'Neill.
"Yeah, I've been over every inch of this ship. I have to admit I'm a bit jealous," replied Caldwell.
"Nah it's more fun being here building these new ships," replied Simpson.
"It's more fun being here with you!" exclaimed Caldwell.
"Don't miss the action out there?" asked O'Neill indicating space.
"Sometimes but then I remember who I get to work with each day, and go home with at night," replied Caldwell.
"That does make it better," replied O'Neill.
"How are Samantha and the kids adjusting to life on board the Enterprise?" asked Simpson.
"I had an area created as a lab for her. She's loving getting to spend time in there with all of her gadgets and ideas. The kids, love watching from our observation area. They would live in there if we let them. They will just ascend and watch out. I don't get it. I thought they were seeing things, and they certainly say they do, but I can't see it ascended or not," replied O'Neill
"Well maybe our daughter will be able to play with them some when you visit after she is born," replied Caldwell.
"What? Congratulation!" replied O'Neill.
"You're the first to know," replied Simpson.
"When?" asked O'Neill.
"We just hit our growth spurt. Dr. Keller says I should have about two months then," replied Simpson.
"That is great, you two are going to make great parents," replied O'Neill.
On the bridge, Mitchell, Nicole Keller, Hailey, Zalenka, Gardner, Ginn, and Wallace were checking everything out.
"Two command chairs?" asked Hailey.
"Yes the primary one is for the commander, the second one is for second in command. You better get used to it," replied Mitchell.
"What? Second in Command?" asked Hailey.
"That's right. It worked well for Commander O'Neill having Carter as his second. Your brains are in the same league," replied Mitchell.
"Just remember he's taken," replied Nicole Keller.
"Thank you, Commander Mitchell. No need to worry he's not my type," replied Hailey, glancing at Zalenka.
Wallace was looking over a workstation that seemed to have everything a geek could ask to have, "What is this station?"
"That as I understand it, is the engineering core station for accessing ship systems. That is where you are going to be sitting," replied Mitchell, "And before you ask Ginn, up here is your station, you have navigation, sensors and communications. Sarah that station over there is where you can access all of the translation systems, and historical information we have in the core."
"So I can provide guidance to you and Major Hailey?" asked Gardener.
"Yes your our Daniel Jackson," replied Mitchell.
Ginn was sitting at her station, "I can remotely pilot the two CT-72's from here!"
Wallace checking out his station, "This is amazing! I can access every system from here. Wait how much information do we have? This looks like the repository of knowledge has been downloaded? How is that possible?"
"I don't understand the specifics but Thrud of the Asgard has been working on expanding the Computer Core, now it's capable of handling a much larger volume of data. We need it, due to the distance we are likely to be from Altera the current communication systems are expected to have issues at that range," replied Mitchell.
"Is this the most advanced ship in the fleet?" asked Hailey.
"Second only to the Enterprise. However we are first in our science abilities," replied Mitchell.
"We really are going to be out there on our own aren't we?" asked Gardner.
"Yes, the DN-1103's can get to us, but it will take time for them to do so. Something we learned we won't have if things go bad. We will have to be completely self-sufficient, and able to handle things entirely on our own," replied Mitchell.
"Having second thoughts Sarah?" asked Hailey.
"Not a chance. Those years I spent as Osiris I saw many wonders, but I know there is a lot more out there to find and learn," replied Gardner.
Zalenka burst onto the bridge, "My lab is amazing!"
"Spared no expense huh?" asked Mitchell.
"Things I didn't even think they would consider giving me, they did," replied Zalenka.
"I think Commander O'Neill wanted to make sure we had the best," replied Hailey.
"You think?" spoke Wallace.
Mitchell punching the communication system in his chair, "Commander O'Neill the crew of the Curiosity appreciates the extras you threw in. Permission to take her out for a spin?"
O'Neil grinning at Caldwell, "We have already returned to the shuttle and are exiting the launch bay. Once we are clear, you have permission to take her back to Altera, where you will get the rest of your crew and start the shakedown. Let's go in hyperspace, and the Enterprise will follow behind."
"Thank you sir!" replied Mitchell.
Mitchell looking at Ginn, "You heard the man take us out from the dock, then set course for Altera."
Ten minutes later Curiosity was in hyperspace on its way to Altera in the Milky Way. The journey was expected to take twenty-four hours. Mitchell arranged a stop at the Midway station, for a rest period for everyone.
"So where are our quarters located?" asked Wallace.
Mitchell using the new command chair, showed a projection of the ship schematics, "I love this ship! The blue dot is the bridge, the red dots are the command crew quarters. Maj. Hailey will assign them out. The primary crew gets priority followed by the secondary command crew."
"Those are just down the hall from here!" exclaimed Ginn,
"Yes, the primary crew needs to have immediate access to the bridge. So we get the closest quarters. I see the commander is already delegating," replied Hailey.
"Since I'm not needed here on the bridge on our flight to Midway. I'm going to find my lab and check it out," replied Gardner, as she took off.
"Does she know Avidan is available on the ship to show us around?" asked Wallace.
"I doubt it," replied Ginn.
"Avidan, show me the way to the medical bay," spoke Nicole Keller, as she followed Avidan to the medical bay.
Zalenka and Wallace spent the next several hours going over the systems from Wallace's console.
Mitchell sat back in his chair reaching through examining all of the systems. He could control everything if needed directly from here. He reached his mind out to the CT-72's found that he could allow or block them from docking and undocking but he could not pilot them. Finally, he reached out to Hailey and found he could communicate with her through her chair.
"So how do you like the new digs?" asked Mitchell.
Hailey surprised at first, "How did you do that? How am I doing this?"
"It's the chairs apparently they allow communication between the two users," replied Mitchell.
"OK this is extremely cool!" replied Hailey.
"Yes it is," replied Mitchell.
"Commander Mitchell, thank you for making me second in command. I promise I won't let you down," replied Hailey.
"You're the obvious choice. This is our team here now," replied Mitchell.
"Yes, I know. You had SG-1, but I bounced from team to team as the missions needed me. This is my first family," replied Hailey.
"SG-1 will always be special to me, but this team is something different and we are going to have an amazing adventure," replied Mitchell.
"Commander Mitchell this ship is amazing! Any hostile alien would be crazy to challenge us," replied Wallace.
"You think so?" asked Mitchell.
"Look at the firepower we have drones, energy beams, and fighters. Who would think they could take us on?" asked Wallace.
"Overconfidence has been the downfall of many who had superior numbers and equipment," replied Mitchell.
"Yes sir," replied Wallace.
Nicole Keller had little trouble finding her medical bay. It was located on the middle level between the two hangers, providing access for emergencies. Her medical bay contained one hundred medical pods. In addition, each bed on board had been converted to a medical pod for long term healing or mass casualty situations. Nicole found she had a genetics station almost identical to the one on Altera. She also had isolation units for use when needed. She was examining those out when Gardner entered the medical bay.
"I can't find my lab," spoke Gardner.
"Aivdan lead Dr. Gardner to her lab please," spoke Nicole Keller.
"This way Dr. Gardner," replied Avidan indicating she should follow.
"We can do that?" asked Gardner on her way out.
Nicole laughed as she watched her leave.
Gardner found her lab thanks to Avidan. She was checking out the area, she had devices for studying items secured in isolation chambers, scanners and cameras of every sort. She found the storage lockers not far from her lab. These would provide suitable storage for most items they may find. Sitting down at her terminal, she found details on every known race.
Gardner speaking to herself, "I must thank David for the details he put into this. Cassie and Nyan must have worked countless nights on this data."
Zalenka was on the bridge with Wallace.
"My lab has a containment chamber, oh the experiments I can do in there!" exclaimed Zalenka, "Imagine working to increase the energy transfer between universes."
"That would be amazing," replied Wallace.
"Plus I have a nanite construction center where I can create anything I need. I mean it would have to be small, nothing giant like a ship, but the fact I have it is amazing. I didn't even ask for it in my lab request," exclaimed Zalenka.
"Sir we are approaching Midway station," spoke Ginn.
"Bring us out of hyperspace and then alongside the station," replied Mitchell.
Ginn brought the Curiosity out of hyperspace and within minutes had the ship in position alongside Midway. The Enterprise dropped out of hyperspace and positioned next to Curiosity.
O'Neill on the viewscreen, "Commander Mitchell, how is she doing?"
"Sir she is a dream. Thank you for all of the extras that you tossed in," replied Mitchell.
"Don't mention it. Seriously do not mention it!" replied O"Neill.
"Now sir if you don't mind we are going to find the mess hall and hope it's stocked," replied Mitchell.
"Actually I'm beaming over dinner for your team. You'll find it in the mess hall," replied O'Neill.
"Thank you sir!" replied Mitchell.
"Don't mention it either!" replied O'Neill, "You have twelve hours downtime before we continue on to the Milky Way,"
"Yes Sir!" replied Mitchell.
The crew gathered in the mess hall. Ginn and Wallace, found they had a tablet interface back to their stations on the bridge to monitor things as needed.
"All of this new technology on here, and all of these extras. No wonder it took them four months on it," replied Zalenka.
"Commander O'Neill is really behind this team and mission. I'm not for sure why, but I'm sure glad he is," replied Mitchell
"So what did they send us?" asked Gardner.
"Let's see?" spoke Mitchell. He started opening the boxes and found fresh salads, steaks, and potatoes all piping hot, with ice cream for dessert. They pulled out the plates provided and went about getting it prepared. Another box was marked breakfast, and a third was marked special.
"How about a toast?" asked Zalenka to Mitchell.
"Sure, let me see. Hears to what is the finest team in the universe, to seek out her secrets, find new lifeforms and boldly go where no alliance has gone before!" replied Mitchell.
"Seriously you went Star Trek?" asked Nicole Keller.
"He certainly did!" exclaimed Hailey.
"He's going to think he's the next Kirk!" replied Wallace.
"Better not even think about it!" laughed Nicole Keller.
"You have to admit for a ship out in deep space that is one of the finest lines you can use!" exclaimed Mitchell.
"No, it's not!" replied Gardener.
"As second in command, red shirts are banned on this ship. Just in case he gets any ideas," replied Hailey.
"Give me a break!" exclaimed Mitchell.
The kidding and taunts continued through dinner. The seven of them shared stories and hopes. Finally, as they were finishing dessert, Wallace noticed Ginn was a little teary.
"Ginn everything ok?" asked Wallace, everyone stopped and looked.
"Thanks, Eli! Yes, everything is great. I was thinking when I was captured I hoped to survive, with warning you of the Lucian Alliance attack. Not only did I find myself surviving, but accepted, and now I'm here with what feels like a real family," replied Ginn.
Everyone was quiet for a few seconds then Mitchell spoke, "Do not call me daddy!"
"Oh why not!" scolded Nicole Keller, and everyone was laughing.
"That would make you mommy!" laughed Mitchell, and the laughing burst again.
Nicole Keller serious, "You heard him, do not call him daddy!"
Everyone found their quarters for the night. The next morning they all found themselves gathering in the mess hall for breakfast. It seemed that Commander O'Neill left them Fruit Loops for breakfast.
"You have to be kidding me. Fruit loops?" asked Zalenka.
"It's Commander's O'Neill's favorite," replied Gardner.
Everyone stopped and was looking at Gardner, when she realized they were staring, "Daniel complains about it every time he has stayed with Commander O'Neill."
Breakfast continued and everyone ate their Fruit Loops, Mitchell explained the Enterprise had been called away in the night with a diplomatic issue it had to tend to. The Curiosity was to make it's way on to Altera on its own.
All of a sudden they heard the voice of Harriman, "Nice ship you have here. You might want to secure it so people just can't beam aboard and have a look around."
"Walter where are you?" asked Mitchell.
Harriman stepping in from the hallway, "I found your shields down. We extended the shields from the station to cover your ship. You shouldn't leave them down."
"So you thought you would come aboard and have a look around?" asked Hailey.
"Actually no, I came aboard to find my daughter Naomi. She found your shields down and beamed herself over to your ship," replied Harriman. Naomi stepped in from the hallway.
"You're telling me we were boarded by a teenager?" asked Mitchell.
"Sorry Commander Mitchell," replied Naomi.
"No harm was done right?" asked Mitchell.
"No she did not touch anything!" replied Harriman.
"No need to report this," replied Mitchell.
"Agreed," replied Harriman, "Good to see you all! Amazing ship!"
Harriman left with Naomi.
"Ok who forgot to put the shields up?" asked Mitchell.
"Think that one is on us," replied Hailey.
"Again no harm was done, and we make sure we have those shields up to prevent boarding from now on!" replied Mitchell.
Ginn punched on her tablet, "Done sir!"
Everyone returned to the bridge and left Midway for Altera, little over eleven hours to home.
About two hours into the journey an alert went up at Ginn's station, "Commander Mitchell we are detecting a gravity anomaly."
"We're out here in the void what could it be?" asked Mitchell.
"Reading the scanners, it's a star, at 1.5 solar mass. Sir this is the star that the Hammond found several years ago in the void between the Milky Way and Pegasus," spoke Wallace.
"Isn't this a little off its projected trajectory," replied Zalenka.
"Let's take a look!" replied Mitchell, "Notify Midway station of what we found and let them know we are investigating."
Meanwhile back on Altera McKay was talking with Miller, "I need access to the repository of knowledge. I need everything the Ancients knew on nanites, and the replicators,"
"Your kidding right?" asked Miller.
"No, and this is not for sharing," replied McKay.
"Mer, that is some of the most dangerous knowledge we have," replied Miller.
"It's to save a life," replied McKay.
"Mer?" asked Miller.
"Jeannie this is one time I need you to trust me and not ask questions. I understand better than anyone else how dangerous this technology is. It is to save a life," spoke McKay.
"OK Mer, I'll open it up to you," replied Miller.
"Thank you!" replied McKay.
"I've given you system in your lab the access to the repository for all nanites and replicator topics. Let me know if you need anything else," replied Miller.
"I will," replied McKay.
"Mer, don't make me regret this," replied Miller.
"I promise I won't," replied McKay. He returned to his lab and began studying. Several hours later Keller showed up.
"Did you get access?" asked Keller.
"Yes sweetie, I did," replied McKay.
"Found what you need?" asked Keller.
"It's going to be more difficult than I thought. I'm working on the process I'll need. This code is going to be extremely tricky," replied McKay.
"If anyone can do it, you can!" replied Keller.
"Are you sure you can do your part?" asked McKay.
"I will have the body ready in time," replied Keller.
"Good, I've got a lot more to study on this," replied McKay.
"Do you think they will let us do this?" asked Keller.
"I have a go from someone higher up," replied McKay.
Back on the Curiosity, which just settled into a path behind the rogue star and traveling with it.
"Good work Ginn, keep us in a safe position with it," replied Mitchell.
"This star is several thousand light-years from where it should be," replied Wallace.
"Not only that, but it's traveling faster than it was. It's now traveling at twenty percent the speed of light," replied Zalenka.
"How is that possible?" asked Mitchell.
"I do not know," replied Zalenka.
"Are we sure this is the same star?' asked Hailey.
"Yes it has the same chemical composition, mass, and spectrum as the one the Hammond cataloged," replied Zalenka.
"Sir, I've analyzed its course and this is the same star, it's just several thousand light-years further along the course than it should be," replied Wallace.
"Would the acceleration account for that?" asked Mitchell.
"No, it's not accelerated nearly enough," replied Zalenka.
"Well let's update Midway. They have plenty of scientists there to study this thing. We need to get back on course for Earth," ordered Mitchell.
"Yes sir!" replied Ginn.
Wallace responded, "Data sent to Midway sir."
"Jump to hyperspace," ordered Mitchell.
The Enterprise had been called in for an issue by the Varta of the Galarans. O'Neill learned his clone, had ruffled some feathers with the Galarans. Jon O'Neill beamed up once the Enterprise was in orbit.
"Tell me what happened?" ordered O'Neill.
Jon O'Neill sighing, "There is no need for you to be here. Varta is being stubborn."
"Knock it off Jon, and tell me," ordered O'Neill.
"Fine! Two trainees brought some whiskey with them. Apparently they shared it with two local women. Apparently it does not set well with Galarans. According to medical they discovered its effect is magnified on Galarans physiology," replied Jon O'Neill.
"So one-shot became ten?" asked O'Neill.
"Basically," replied Jon O'Neill.
"What did they do?" asked O'Neill.
"Nothing. I would not put up with that. They were gentlemen by all accounts and medical verified. The Galarans are all upset over them having the whiskey here," replied Jon O'Neill.
"What did you say to Varta?" asked O'Neill.
"Maybe he should drink a few shots to loosen up," replied Jon O'Neill.
"You know better," replied O'Neill.
"He had it coming," replied Jon O'Neill.
O'Neill met with Varta and agreed all corn-based alcohol would be band from Galaran. Fraiser confirmed it was only the corn-based alcohol that effected the Galarans physiology this way. That night the Enterprise returned to Earth.
"I don't see the Curiosity in orbit," remarked O'Neill.
"She is not on the sensors sir," replied Marks.
"Contact her," ordered O'Neill.
A minute passes, O'Neill asks, "Are we having problems?"
"Sorry sir, I can not establish a connection with Curiosity. In fact sir they do not appear on any of our systems," replied Marks.
"What was their last known location?" asked O'Neill.
"It looks like they dropped out of hyperspace in the void between Pegasus and the Milky Way, for a short period and then they entered hyperspace again. That is the last we received from their ship," replied Marks.
"Not another missing ship!" exclaimed O'Neill, "Contact Mir of the Furlings I want to know if they had anything to do with this."
"Yes sir!" replied Marks.
A few seconds later Tena of the Furlings appeared on the screen.
"Greetings Commander O'Neill, I regret to inform you that Mir is currently unavailable. May I assist you?" asked Tena.
"Did you all by chance do any of your wormhole snatching on an alliance ship? Or through hyperspace?" asked O'Neill.
"I can assure you we certainly did not. Why is a ship missing?" asked Tena.
"Yes, our DNE-2000 went off scope when they jumped to Hyperspace earlier today. We have no further communication from them," replied O'Neill.
"That is distressing news. I must say we have had no contact with any alliance ships besides those assisting in our relocation," replied Tena.
"Thank you!" replied O'Neill signaling to cut the communication.
"Jump us to their last known location," ordered O'Neill, "Someone get my wife up here on the bridge. We may need her brains to help decipher this."
McKay meeting with Sheppard, "You have a ship that we can use?"
"Yes Rodney, I have the entire fleet we can use. Commander Young on the Apollo will take us to Pegasus when we need to make the retrieval," replied Sheppard.
"I'm going to need a little more time to build the device we will need," replied McKay.
"How about Jennifer's part?" asked Sheppard.
"She will be ready," replied McKay.
Carter on the bridge of the Enterprise looking over the scans, "I don't see anything on the scans that would indicate any wreckage of the Curiosity."
"Something happened to them. Can we detect any anomalies in Hyperspace?" asked O'Neill.
"No sir nothing here that our sensors are detecting. You said they sent a data burst to Midway on the Rogue star, the Hammond found several years ago?" asked Carter.
"Marks!" replied O'Neill.
"Yes, ma'am. I have it up here on the display. They identified it by chemical composition, volume, and size to be the one you found," replied Marks.
"That star should be nowhere near here. According to this data, they found it is moving at double the speed. That is impossible," spoke Carter.
"What could make it do that?" asked O'Neill.
"Only a supermassive black hole, but that would have altered its course to accelerate it. Plus we would have detected one if it was anywhere near here," replied Carter.
"Ma'am if my calculations are correct, that star would have to have accelerated to 87% the speed of light to be here based on data from the Hammond, and this data burst," replied Marks.
"That would be nearly impossible for a black hole of any size to accelerate it to that speed," replied Carter.
"How does this help us figure out what happened to the curiosity?" asked O'Neill.
"I don't know if it does," replied Carter.
The Enterprise spent another two days there investigating the disappearance of the Curiosity. No clues of any sort were found. In the end, they had to return to Earth. Caldwell and Simpson were going over designs looking for any possible technical malfunction. The main concern was if the Nakai had been involved.