Earth
Sol Solar System
Milky Way
From the outer depths of the solar system, the Replicator Fleet began to decelerate. Receiving word from Earth, the collection of allied vessels began to form into an inline procession. Passing Earth's moon, these vessels seemed to fill space around the Tau'ri home world. Several of the vessels leading the procession moved to dock with the orbiting arrival station high above Earth. As they did, communications traffic filled the airwaves.
From ring platforms aboard each Replicator vessel, beams of energy streamed towards points on the planet below. At each point waited a receiving ring platform, moved into place by military forces. In each energy stream, Replicators arrived on Earth. Following these first transport streams flowing towards each receiving ring platform, copious mounts of Replicator built Puddle Jumpers descending towards Earth's surface. These too would bring further numbers of Replicators to Earth.
Beyond the orbiting fleet, and Earth's moon, hyperspace windows tore open the fabric of space. Exiting these dimensional rifts, droves of Ancient built ore delivery vessels returned to the bonds of real space. Aboard these craft were incredible amounts of refined ores, needed for the effort to come. Acting as gatekeeper, the arrival station orbiting Earth beamed these materials away from the delivering vessels, to points around Earth. Free of their burden, these automated Ancient delivery vessels quickly leapt into hyperspace once more, to repeat this process once again.
Far below the choreographed circus in orbit, events moved on as they always did. At the Pentagon, uncomfortable events in the eyes of one were unfolding. Within the inner sanctum of Home World Command, 1st Lieutenant Milliby sat, in restraints and under guard, outside of the office once occupied by General Jack O'Neill. Looking down at the restraints locked around his wrists, Milliby seethed with anger. Looking towards the two enlisted escorts standing guard over him, Milliby silently cursed. Turning his eyes to the door separating him from the meeting, Milliby looked over the stenciled nameplate on the frosted glass door. That plate said simply, Major General William Ronson.
Within the commander's office of Home World Command, Ronson sat behind his desk. Following his relief as commander of the second USS Prometheus, Ronson had lobbied widely and loudly for command of the SGC. Upon learning of Brigadier General Samantha Carter's posting to that position, Ronson had been beside himself. Weeks later, he was given his current posting. This, he thought, was due to his proper handling of challenges throughout his career. Never had it been explained that his posting here was simply to keep the seat warm for another, in the hopes that nothing broke alone the way.
Seated in the office with Ronson was a collection of civilian and military personnel. Present were Prosecution and Defense officers for Milliby's expected Courts Martial. Also present were representatives from the State Department, and the Department of Justice. All agreed that Milliby's actions were potentially disastrous from the point of view of policy, diplomacy, and procedure. When the potential for Courts Martial had become known, a few enterprising individuals seized this as the fulcrum to bring about a change all wanted. That change hinged upon the decision Milliby would be asked to make today.
"Bring the detainee in." Ronson said into the interoffice intercom on his desk.
Rising from his desk outside the General's office, Ronson's aide opened the office door to usher in the detainee. Bring detainee Milliby into the office, the escorts seated their charge in an office chair, center stage. Their duty done, the two escorts retreated from the office, closing the frosted glass door behind them. Both escorts noted the tension that simmered within the Home World Command commander's office. They were quite happy to wait outside, thank you very much.
Seated in his chair, Milliby kept his eyes locked forward. Boring in on a section of wall three inches above General Ronson's head, the Lieutenant moved not an inch, nor did he convey even the slightest bit of emotion. Staring intently at the detainee before him, Ronson casually sipped from his mug of coffee. In his mind, Ronson weighed the image of the young officer before him. This kid was a hard case. Smacking his lips, Ronson set his coffee back on the polished surface of the desk.
"You have created quite a mess Lieutenant." Ronson began simply.
"Sir, I don't see that I acted outside of my standing orders." Milliby replied formally.
"Do you really believe that?" Ronson asked with scorn in his voice.
"I do sir. If a failure in the mission exists, it rests with the men I took into the operation." Milliby replied dismissively.
"That is a disconnect with reality that you, and you alone, need to come to grips with. Never in my time in uniform have I seen such a mess that could have been easily avoided. Your actions have done nothing to bring credit to the uniform you wear, or the United States Army." Ronson chided.
"As I am a member of the Army, this is an Army matter. I fail to see how you fit into this equation…sir." Milliby responded.
"Lieutenant, let me clue you in on a few things you clearly fail to understand. I am the commanding officer of Home World Command. By its nature, that is a joint service command. That you wear the Army uniform means nothing. This was an off world operation, which means you fall under the auspices of my say so. Attempting to goad your convening authority is far from a bright idea. Do I make myself clear detainee?" Ronson raged.
"Gentlemen, I would like to remind all those present as to the mental strain my client is under. His actions here portray that fact well." Captain Moore, Milliby's defense council interjected.
"Duly noted Captain. Might I suggest that we get to the matter at hand?" Ronson asked.
"Lieutenant, after talks between my office, the convening authority, your council, and those present from both Justice and State, we are here to offer you a deal of sorts." Major Dunn, lead prosecutor, explained.
"Sir, I see no reason to accept a deal. Frankly, if you are offering deals at this stage, that tells me the case against me is far from solid. I think I will take my chances. This will never see trial sir, and you know that." Milliby replied with indignation.
From his desk, Ronson lifted a half inch thick file and held it in the air. All eyes in the room looked at this, especially Lieutenant Milliby.
"As you have yet to proceed to an Article 32 hearing, I doubt you are familiar with the contents of this file. Care to place a wager as to what this file contains?" Ronson asked in exasperated tones.
"I can only assume that file contains sworn official statements from my men, sir." Milliby replied simply.
"Wrong! That file is much heavier than this one. No Lieutenant, this file contains everything we will officially charge you with. Keep up the attitude, and it just might get a few pages thicker." Ronson warned.
"The actions alleged in those charge sheets happened on another world, in another galaxy, during a classified action. With all due respect, I am certain that is outside the jurisdiction of any court." Milliby argued snidely.
"Son, the fact that you are an active duty service member gives a military court jurisdiction over you, even if you are in another galaxy, or dimension. That is how this works. You would do well to remember that." Ronson replied in scathing tones.
"If I may General?" Lance Corrigan, from the Department of Justice asked.
"The floor is yours." Ronson welcomed.
"Lieutenant, as the General already pointed out, a military court does have jurisdiction over you in this matter. That is the least of your worries. According to the Status of Forces Agreement between our world and the Hybrid government, we are bound to turn you over to them, for trial. Initially, they were very keen on getting their hands on you. My colleague from the State Department has been in talks with them, and has managed to calm their anger for the time being. Now, you are in a massive bind. At this point, you can be prosecuted by the military, and once your sentence is complete, find yourself turned over to the Hybrid's for prosecution on their world. I assure you that their version of justice is not nearly as friendly as ours is." Corrigan explained.
"As I have made clear to your defense council, my office will push for a heavy sentence at trial." Major Dunn added.
"As your defense council, I am duty bound to inform you that I feel a plea deal is your best option at this point." Captain Moore said directly to his client.
"Have you not been listening to this? Any deal I am offered certainly won't be in my best interests!" Milliby argued.
"That might not be the case, assuming you are open to an unconventional deal." Corrigan stated.
"I'm listening." Milliby spat.
"In the last few years, much has changed all over the world. Those changes will continue well into the future. At the Department of Justice, we have a change we want to see take hold. In exchange for not being turned over to the Hybrids, and a more lenient sentence, we would like to see you volunteer for a new program we have put together." Corrigan explained.
"What type of program?" Milliby inquired.
"A new form of confinement." Corrigan replied.
"I cannot agree to something if I don't know what it is." Milliby argued.
"You will be confined, that much is a given. Instead of sending you off to a traditional form of confinement, we would like to see something different happen." Corrigan continued.
"Its worth considering that you tried to kill children, and as an officer you won't be very popular with other guests in a military penal facility." Ronson added.
"Instead of a traditional prison setting, we would like to you as a test case. In exchange for this deal, you would be expected to enter a plea of guilty in exchange for a ten year term. Once sentenced, you will be sent to a confinement facility where you will be placed in stasis. While in stasis, you mind will interact with treatment and rehabilitation programs to deal with your individual issues. Education will also be available if you so choose." Corrigan explained.
"So you ship me off, put me on ice, and I sleep for a decade? I won't be able to see my family!" Milliby said in shock.
"We have considered that fact. Should visitors come to see you, they will be able to interact with a hologram of you. This will allow you to communicate with your family. Your body though will remain in stasis. At the end of your confinement, you will be allowed to immigrate to an off world colony for a fresh start. That deal is the best you are going to get. If you want this deal, now would be the time to tell us. We need an answer today, or the deal is permanently off the table." Corrigan concluded.
An icy ball formed in Milliby's stomach. Instead of seeing everything around him, his eyes were filled with horrific visions of his life falling apart. Sadly, the Lieutenant was unaware that he had been shoved into this no win situation, forcing a choice.
"Is this a good deal?" Milliby asked his defense council.
"In my opinion, it is the best deal you are going to get. We can take our chances at trial, but it is a risk. This is your life, and if you want to roll the dice we can, and I will defend you as best I can. The choice is yours at the end of the day. If you take the deal, we can push the sentencing through quickly, and get you on to completing your sentence. Don't take the deal, and you are going to sit in the Quantico Brig for the next six months awaiting a trial we may very well lose." Captain Moore replied honestly.
"Ok, I'll take the deal." Milliby said as tears began to roll down his cheeks.
The system Milliby would soon find himself within was to be the new way of confinement globally. In the beginning, discrete test cases would be used to fine tune the system once accomplished, confinement globally would shift to this system, ushering in a new dawn in the penal system. Within a year, traditional confinement around the globe would give way to this new process. As a benefit, this process would no longer require massive amounts of expenditure to feed and clothe those confined. This would also bring about a net saving of several hundred billion dollars per year globally. These funds, once freed for other purposes, would be used to fund a myriad of other programs and initiatives.
Elsewhere around the United States, and around the globe, further changes would shortly be made. Automobile usage globally would soon see striking changes, as would the infrastructure used for this purpose. For a period of five years moving forward, automobiles would retain the ability to be controlled by human drivers. Taking human control out of automobiles would bring about efficiencies currently not possible. Traffic would move at faster speeds, and reduce the factor of drivers error that made roadways large scale takers of life. As this process of automated control of vehicles was applied to commercial vehicles, the economic impact was realized. Persons employed as commercial drivers would soon find themselves eligible for further education at a university of their choosing at government expense. This would allow those currently employed in a changing industry to learn a new skill set, thereby making themselves marketable in other fields.
While vehicles both personal and commercial would find themselves automated, the very infrastructure these vehicles traveled would also change. Roadways would forevermore be equipped with devices with their structure, which would convert the vibrations from passing vehicles into energy. This energy would be pumped into the national grid of the roadways respective nation. Road signs, markers, and lampposts would also be equipped with small devices. These devices would serve to capture ambient microwave energy filling the airwaves. Once captured, these microwaves would be converted into direct current power, and used to power streetlights, stoplights, and many other implements at the roadside.
Automation systems fitted to each vehicle would not draw power from the vehicle itself. Instead, these systems would wirelessly draw power from the roadway itself. Smart lighting along each roadway would shut down, when vehicle traffic was not present. Painting of roadways would also change. Instead of traditional paints, new compounds would be used. These compounds, unseen in certain conditions, would become visible should weather or traffic conditions dictate. Changes around the world did not stop there though.
Since the 1950's, the world had lived under a Sword of Damocles. This threat came from intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine launched ballistic missiles held in the arsenals of many nations. ICBM's and SLBM's are incredibly expensive weapons systems to design, build, and maintain. Untold billions had been poured into these weapons systems, and the ancillary supporting infrastructure and equipment over many decades. The day of the ICBM and the threat it posed to the peoples of many nations was at an end.
The worlds powers realized that this day was at an end, but also further realized that technology had also relegated the ballistic weapons to the annuls of history. The United States, Unified China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom would immediately stand down their ballistic forces, both land based and sea based. The ballistic launchers of these nations would be dismantled. Sadly, the nations of India and Pakistan, claiming an external threat, could not be compelled to join in this agreement. Moving forward, only these nations would retain their ballistic launchers, aimed squarely at one another. Around the globe, nations with ballistic launchers of lesser range than the major powers would also forever stand down their launchers. No longer would Earth exist under the cloud of nuclear mega death only minutes away.
In conjunction with the nuclear stand down announcement, a further announcement was made by the United States. All of America's forward deployed forces around the world, from Germany to Japan, were coming home. These garrison forces, long deployed across the sea, would soon return to the United States, for further transfer to places throughout the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies. Facilities left in the wake of their departure, built at great expense, would be repurposed. These facilities would serve a new purpose, tasked as joint scientific research centers in many nations around the globe, to be shared with the United States and host nation.
Around the world, Replicators recently arrived were growing in number. Spread out across many nations, these Replicators were here to assist Earth in taking its next step. This they did as thanks for the Synthetic Life Bill of Rights. Many of these synthetic life forms would soon busy themselves with the rebuilding of the nation of Mexico. In conjunction with the herculean construction effort, a comprehensive aid package from the United States and Canada was released. No longer would Mexico be allowed to remain a nation in need. Moving forward, Mexico would take its place as a first world nation, standing proudly beside the other great nations of Earth.
Once the rebuilding and modernization of Mexico came to completion, the Replicator army present would move on, deeper into Central America. Puerto Rico, after a recent vote for statehood in the United States, would also be rebuilt from the ground up. Cuba, after the death of Fidel Castro, pushed to restore ties with the United States. Cuba now stood as a special North American Economic Development Zone. That country too would see the same improvements others would receive. Negotiations with Caribbean nations seeking these improvements continued for now, but would, it was hoped, come to fruition soon.
A newly unified Korea, coming about after the death of Kim Jong il, would soon take its place among the nations making up Earth's powerful interstellar fleet. Kim Jong il's son, upon taking power and seeing first hand the difficulties his hermit nation faced, pushed for reunification with South Korea. China, seeing the benefits, urged this process along. Soon, Korea would receive its first fleet units, in the form of Improved Daedalus Class units. While they waited, Korea would see its many shipyards refitted to produce interstellar cargo craft. As Replicators present on the Korean peninsula began the process of rebuilding, vessels in orbit cleared minefields no longer needed demilitarized zone of mines, making use of Asgard transport beaming technology.
For many nations that would soon see change, simply changing their cityscapes was not enough. These nations, after decades of stagnation and economic turmoil, would require more. These nations would require industry, if they were to hope of competing in world and galactic markets. That would require investment, a substantial investment. The mechanism that would deliver the funding for that substantial investment was known as the Tobin Tax.
One trillion dollars in foreign exchange changed hands daily in world currency markets. The Tobin Tax, taxing each currency transaction at one tenth of one percent per transaction, was capable of generating over five hundred billion dollars per year. One year ago, the Tobin Tax had gone into effect, taxing currency exchanges of Earth's top thirty currencies. These funds, channeled into the international redevelopment fund, would be used to bring developing nations to first world standard, building staggering levels of industrial capacity and capability. Instead of direct repayment, recuperation of funds would come later from expanded markets, trade, and licensing of patents held by the five major nations once part of the now defunct International Oversight Advisory.
In addition to the Tobin Tax, revenue globally was generated through another mechanism. Though highly unpopular in certain circles, a one tenth of one percent sales tax on all transactions conducted via the internet had come into being. This single tax was responsible for slightly more than one hundred billion dollars in tax revenue per year, which was also channeled into the international redevelopment fund.
While the massive amounts of capital generated by patent licensing and royalties had gone towards Earth's off world ventures, not all of it had been expended in such a manner. Paying down deficits of enormous amounts, major nations improved the health of their economies and economic engines. Once that had been completed, portions of these funds poured into projects benefitting each nation's population. Heavy investment focus was paid in the areas of education, healthcare, public services, and infrastructure improvement. Incredibly, very little flowed into military coffers. Utilizing savings realized from Arkos for construction of many pieces of large expenditure systems and platforms, the military prospered without large cash infusions. Capital once tied up in ship construction, procurement, and maintenance was not tasked for other purposed. The military, under budgets resembling those of years past, thrived.
Off world mining efforts, some private and others government sponsored and manned, brought in a huge influx of mineral wealth to Earth. While trinium, naquadah, and neutronium were vital to production of advanced technologies, many other elements commonly found on Earth were also brought home from off world sources. Platinum, gold, and silver; mined on other worlds in incredible amounts, came home also. These mountains of wealth poured into depositories around the world.
These riches did not sit idle long, gathering dust in secure depositories. Both the Pegasus and Milky Way galaxies, after thousands of years of domination by both Goa'uld and Wraith, were in a parlous state. To bring these galaxies out of their economic stagnation, investment would be required. Funded by the newly acquired wealth flowing in from two galaxies, the brainchild of Secretary of State Simon Barnes swung into action. Much like the Marshall Plan following the Second World War, the Barnes Plan would stoke the economic fires of many worlds.
Hundreds of billions of dollars in government loans would soon make their way into the hands of leaders of many worlds. Instead of traditional repayment, all Earth asked for in return was an opening of markets to the nations of Earth. That the funds loaned would be used to purchase products and materials from Earth would simply serve to further stoke the economic fires of the first world of mankind. In time, the economies of two galaxies would take hold, and usher in an unprecedented age for all.
Other Replicators, scattered around the world, began a task far different from the one their brothers and sisters were undertaking. These Replicators were tasking with dismantling Earth's four hundred and thirty five standing nuclear power plants. The dismantling of coal and natural gas plants would come after the nuclear plants were removed. Those reactors removed, along with those decommissioned already from power stations and nuclear powered vessels, and stored fuel rods and radioactive waste, would soon be removed from Earth. These materials would be placed in a large and highly secure vault on a dead world within the Milky Way galaxy. There, it would be entombed and guarded by an automated security system for all time.
As the process of reconstruction progressed, other regions would become the focus. Much of Asia would take a new form. Africa would follow. Though progress would take time, it would take nothing like the time to which Earth had become accustomed. Years after disclosure, the entire world would now find itself firmly in the embrace of a tomorrow few ever dared to imagine possible.
Super Gate
Pegasus Galaxy
In a flourish of energy, the unstable vortex of an incoming wormhole exploded forth from the Pegasus Super Gate. Settling into a stable event horizon, the gate established a rippling puddle. Seconds passed before the first of a procession of vessels began to materialize and exit the intergalactic gate. Fifteen Beliskner Class vessels emerged. Driven at low power settings of their sublight drives, these vessels advanced several thousand kilometers away from the active gate. As they advanced, Commencement followed by USS Coral Sea also emerged through the active super gate.
Without pleasantries exchanged, the fleet of fifteen Beliskner Class vessels leapt into hyperspace. Following suit, Commencement and Coral Sea did the same. The destinations and missions of these two groups were very different, operating on timetables of their own. These two separate missions would bring their own changes to the landscape of the Pegasus galaxy. For one civilization, it was a long planned effort finally taking stage. For the other, it would be a long held dream finally coming true. Despite the differences in these missions, Pegasus would find its reality forever changed.
Muspelheim
Pegasus Galaxy
In the Asgard language, Muspelheim meant the land of fire and light. Before their departure from the Ida galaxy, many thousands of years before, those that became the Vanir called the Asgard world of Muspelheim home. For that reason, the Vanir chose this name for their new home world.
Rich in neutronium and other mineral wealth, Muspelheim was a world rich in vegetation and wildlife. A temperate climate, free from environmental dangers would embrace the Vanir. Surrounding this world was a solar system devoid of sentient life, but also rich in mineral wealth. Every component needed to grow the Vanir domain was present. Here, free from fears lived under for many thousands of years; the Vanir would finally have the chance to thrive as a people. That this was due to both the Asgard and Tau'ri was a fact the Vanir still had yet to fully comprehend.
In high orbit around Muspelheim, the Asgard task force of vessels sat. Daniel Jackson Class science vessels lay in close orbit, while larger Hala and O'Neill Class vessels stood further out. The science vessels performed the heavy lifting for this mission, though the larger vessels played a part. Aboard those science vessels was a flurry of activity. Working together, Asgard and Vanir were bringing about a bright future for Vanir, and Pegasus as a whole.
Making use of matter stream creation technology aboard each science vessel, Asgard and Vanir engineers went about the intricate process of building a capital city. On the ground below, the building blocks of that city were already in place. It began as a citywide power grid, and progressed to a power generation center. Once complete, buildings of all sizes and shapes began to take shape. Unlike the Asgard capital, the Vanir capital would not be composed of towering spires of dizzying heights. Instead, these structures were low slung, in many cases not more than seven stories in height.
Within these structures, laboratories, engineering spaces, and every other tool requested by the Vanir would take root. Taking in the growing city below, each Asgard agreed that this city was utilitarian and functional for Vanir purposes. This construction effort would continue for several days before coming to its conclusion. Elsewhere aboard the many science vessels, other events were unfolding.
Brought from the Asgard home world, replacement bodies identical to those used by all Asgard had arrived from the Andromeda galaxy. Accompanying these bodies, genetic templates and equipment required to grow further replacements had also arrived. In medical spaces aboard each science vessel, members of the Vanir civilization were slowly being transferred to their new bodies. In the wake of each mind transfer, the old Vanir bodies were dematerialized as a means of disposal. Several examples of these bodies, and the genetic secrets held within that had allowed the Vanir to continue to live, were kept for study on the Asgard home world. What secrets they held the Asgard were curious to learn.
Njoror, leader of the Vanir, awoke from the mind transfer. After opening his eyes, he stared at his hands in wonder. Not for many thousands of years had his hands resembled these. Memories from that time, a time when he was a prestigious member of the Asgard Fleet, filled his mind. Rising to his feet, and the full height of his body, Njoror found himself filled with hope. That train of thought was interrupted a moment later, as he was transported aboard the Asgard flagship Hala. Rematerializing, Njoror found himself aboard Hala's bridge, and beside Supreme Commander Thor.
"Greetings." Thor began.
"And to you Thor." Njoror replied.
"How do you feel, now that you are in your improved form?" Thor inquired.
"For the first time in many thousands of years, I am without pain. My mind is also free of worry. For this, you have my thanks." Njoror said.
"As you beamed aboard, the vessels promised arrived. They sit now above the planets northern pole." Thor explained.
"How many?" Njoror asked with suspicion.
"Fifteen, as agreed," Thor responded.
"Thor, it gives me great pride to see you as you now are. Every lesson I instilled in you is plain to see. You have delivered all that you have promised, and for that I and my people are eternally grateful." Njoror said solemnly.
"It pleases me to know that once more we find ourselves on the same side, as it were." Thor replied.
"What do you see as the next step?" Njoror asked.
"Prognostication is beyond my duties. All we can do is wait to see what each new day holds. Now, let us collect your ship commanders. Once the fleet is handed over, I will return to Andromeda." Thor suggested.
"We will begin deploying vessels throughout the galaxy within the week. Thank you for this chance Thor. The Vanir owe you a great debt." Njoror vowed.
Arcadia, formerly known as M6S-713
Arcadia Solar System
Pegasus Galaxy
During the Ancient's reign over the Pegasus galaxy, in the halcyon years prior to the emergence of the Wraith, M6S-713 was visited many times. The planet was gifted with a thriving ecosystem, filled with wild game, lush planet life, and oceans teaming with life. Extreme mineral wealth and temperate climate made this world an unexploited jewel. Never enacted; the Ancient's had once intended to build a permanent capital city here, that would shine as the jewel in the crown of Ancient power. Had that city been built, it would have stood as a testament to all that the Ancient's were capable of and stood for. Alas, that plan was never to become a reality.
Though history had conspired to prevent this worlds rise to greatness and fame, the children of the Ancient's had other plans in store. Atlantis, great city of the ancestors, had long served as the Tau'ri foothold within the boundaries of Pegasus. Though Atlantis, and her inhabitants, had served their role well, Atlantis could never hope to become what the United States envisioned due to her multinational staffing. Initially, the United States had considered building a great capital within Pegasus on Lantea, where it would stand beside Atlantis. Concerns over Lantea's weather patterns and sporadic solar activity overrode that line of thought.
After careful deliberation, a list of potential host planets for a Pegasus capital was selected. Each planet was carefully weighed against other equally ideal worlds. In the end, M6S-713 was selected. Bestowed upon this world was the name Arcadia. The name El Dorado was considered, but judged to be less than a stellar fit. Arcadia would serve as the first United States territory within Pegasus. Though other great nations of Earth had established colonies within the Milky Way galaxy, in each case, they opted to colonize worlds already containing people taken by the Goa'uld and relocated. Potala, Lord Yu's former capital, now a colony of China, stood as a clear example.
The United States sought not to just lay claim to an already populated world, and build upon a foundation already present. Instead, the US sought to forge a new world where once nothing had stood. As their ancestors had done generations earlier, the US was moving to brave the path less traveled, confident that the expense would pay great dividends in generations moving forward. If this gamble paid off, it was certain that other great nations of Earth would follow suit, building from the ground up territories of their own.
Two hundred thousand kilometers from Arcadia, beyond the planets lone moon, a hyperspace window opened. Emerging from the dimensional rift in the fabric of space was the Athena Class vessel USS Coral Sea. Though Coral Sea and Commencement had departed the Pegasus super gate together, Coral Sea was a far faster vessel. That fact worked for Coral Sea's crew, as their earlier arrival allowed the warship time to sanitize the local area, to ensure Commencement would not arrive and find itself in harm's way.
Powerful sensors aboard Coral Sea scanned the space directly surrounding Arcadia. Found to be free of threats; Coral Sea turned their sensors towards the solar system surrounding the planet. Thankfully, in the eyes of those standing duty on the bridge of Coral Sea, no threats were found. On this day, in this section of space, no fight would be had. Onboard Coral Sea, sensors were turned towards Arcadia's surface. This was done not out of need, but to verify readings already taken. As scanned continued, subspace sensors detected the fast approach of Commencement.
To the second of its estimated arrival, Commencement returned to normal space beyond Arcadia. As Commencement's deceleration drives fired, slowing her velocity greatly, power channeled from one of her two onboard neutrino ion generator into the massive vessels sublight drives. In under two minutes, Commencement crossed the gulf between her, Coral Sea, and the awaiting planet below.
Establishing orbit, Commencement began a single orbit of Arcadia. As she glided high above the unspoiled world, sensor data collected by Coral Sea flowed to the colony ship. This was done strictly to ensure Commencement's onboard computers knew exactly where in time and space Commencement stood. Maneuvering in orbit, Commencement's nose rose towards Arcadia's northern pole. As she maneuvered, powerful antigravity pods came online. Slowly, cautiously, and carefully; Commencement descended into the Arcadian atmosphere.
From her vantage point in orbit, Coral Sea monitored Commencement's every move. Incredible amounts of telemetry data flowed from the colony ship, to be collected by the orbiting warship. This data would later be reviewed by teams on Earth; looking for any possible fault in performance, fit, or finish. Off duty crewmembers of Coral Sea stood at observation points, breathlessly watching the gargantuan vessel descend towards Arcadian soil.
For eighteen tense minutes, Commencement descended from dizzying heights to the ground below. Passing above towering mountains, she proceeded at low speed towards her preordained destination. As she moved, she descended further to a height of one thousand feet above the large plain that unfolded between mountains and ocean. One day, this plain would become Arcadia's breadbasket.
Internal sensors, backed up by data passed on from Coral Sea, showed to Commencement's onboard systems that the vessel had reached its destination. From unseen pods mounted to Commencement's belly, visible lasers traced over the ground below. For two minutes, this continued. When done, Commencement's onboard systems, having analyzed the ground below down to the centimeter, powered on further systems.
From the stern of Commencement, stout metallic rods extended both horizontally and vertically. Atop these rods were tractor beam emitters. In seconds, these were powered and readied for the evolution to come. The hull of Commencement shimmered, as power flowed through the hulls outer plating. Seconds after this surge of power, the bonds between sections of outer plating separated. These unlocked hull plates were soon gripped by a tractor beam, and moved away from the vessel, where an ancillary tractor beam would hold the growing collection of hull plates.
A secondary surge of power flowed through the internal workings of Commencement. Seconds later, the top most tractor beam rod discharged its beam, towards a spot within the vessels internal workings. From within Commencement, the first of many twenty story apartment structures rose. As the structure came free from the vessel, other systems aboard the colony ship were also at work. Power conduits, with no shipboard purpose, were enveloped in the embrace of an Asgard transport beam. These, once in place on the grounds below, would form the settlements power grid.
Apartment structures, removed from within Commencement, soon found themselves lowering to the soil below. Delicately, each of these structures came to rest on Arcadia. Moments after touching down, prepositioned reservoirs of nanites leapt into action. Burrowing into the soil at all four corners of each structure, these nanites formed a dense metallic spike; anchoring the building. Further nanite reservoirs channeled between structures, forming the Arcadian settlements power system. A sewer system was not needed, as the commodes in each structure would eradicate waste with a destructive surge of energy.
Workshops, 3-D printing centers, and a myriad of other necessities for a colony soon joined the growing number of structures on the ground below. As the number of modules requiring placement on ground diminished, the process began to gain speed. A highly efficient desalinization module moved off towards the ocean's shore in the distance; propelled to its end destination by tractor beam. One of Commencement's two neutrino ion generators, already powered down, soon joined the collection of buildings below, bringing to life this newest of colonies.
As the process progressed, large fenced off tracts of land took form. In these areas, livestock contained within Wraith culling devices would be unleashed, taking their first steps on an alien world. A fish farming facility soon came to rest at ground level. Squat hydroponic farming facilities soon joined the fray. Fish for the fish farm, and seed stock for the farming effort, along with producing plants for hydroponic farming, rested in culling devices for inhabitants to release them from their bonds. As the collection of structures that would compose this first settlement of Arcadia came to rest, still further nanites were unleashed. Hull plating, hanging in the air and no longer needed, was lowered towards the growing flows of nanites. This plating would be used as the building blocks for roadways and sidewalks throughout the community.
As the community took on something resembling its finished shape, several other culling storage devices were released from Commencement, and transported to the ground below. Over the course of the next seventy two hours, the initial one hundred thousand occupants of this settlement would be released from some. From others, personal belongings, electric vehicles, and a host of other needed materials would be released from within the storage device.
In orbit, Coral Sea continued her scans. Sites were tagged in the ships database, to be shared with Fleet vessels, for future use. These sites would have two distinct purposes. On the first, a military complex would be built. Coral Sea would lay the ground work for that during this first trip. This complex would one day soon become the new home of the 2nd Infantry Division, currently slated to leave its garrisons in Korea behind forever. Other sites marked would one day hold high speed maglev rail systems, that would move to many corners of the continent. The last site, larger than the others, would one day be the ground covered by a city much like Shambhala.
As Commencement finished her task of offloading a pre-made colony, her tractor beam laden rods retracted within the hull. What was once a nearly solid structure was now hollow. Internally, Commencement began to reconfigure her internal and external structures. Dramatically shrinking in length, her hull began to draw into itself. The remaining hull plating still present on her exterior was precisely enough for this new size. Nanites, held for the purpose, were released on her inner and outer hull surfaces. These nanites would forever seal Commencement's hull. Where once many tightly packed structures had laid in wait, now sat massive and empty bays of space. These bays would one day find themselves filled with cargo coming from or going to Earth. Commencement would now be tasked as Arcadia's first interstellar cargo vessel.
In a day and a knight, a world was born anew. Though much was to come for Arcadia, that most difficult first step was now complete. A brave new world had been forged.
Star Gate Command
Cheyenne Mountain
Earth
"Unscheduled activation!"
Within the gate room of the subterranean facility, the protective energy field iris sprang to life in front of the Pegasus model stargate. As a wormhole was established, technicians sitting in the control room looking out over the embarkation room waited. Seconds later, traveling through the established wormhole, an encrypted transmission arrived.
"Receiving Tok'ra iris deactivation code. Powering down iris." A gate technician announced.
As the protective energy field separating the incoming wormhole from the surrounding facility receded, the stable event horizon rippled and shimmered. While waiting for the emergence of the inbound traveler, a technician sent word to General Carter of the unexpected arrival. At the General's order, the new arrivals were to be brought directly to the upstairs briefing room directly.
From the gate, two individuals emerged. Egeria, looking regal and poised, took step on the world that was her place of birth. Beside her, Thoran, chief of Tok'ra intelligence, took stock of his surroundings. By the scowl on his face, it was clear to all Thoran was not in a pleasant mood. A young Senior Airmen greeted the new arrivals, while asking that they accompany him to the briefing room.
As the three made their way to the upstairs briefing room, not another word was uttered. Walking through the hallways of the SGC reminded Egeria's host of a life before she became blended. These halls were full of many memories, both good and bad. Surprisingly, not a face familiar to Egeria's host was encountered along their path. Several Replicators were seen though, and it was explained to both Tok'ra that these Replicators would be added as the fifth man to each standing SG team. As the two guests were ushered into the briefing room, the Senior Airman bade them both to take a seat. A moment later, Brigadier General Samantha Carter emerged from her office.
"This is an unexpected please. Welcome to Earth! May I ask the purpose of your visit?" Carter began.
"We have evidence of your true agenda. For all your claims of virtue, your people are no better than the Goa'uld!" Thoran raged.
"Excuse me?" Carter asked, taken aback.
"Silence! You will not embarrass me with another outburst like that!" Egeria said in her booming Goa'uld voice.
An uncomfortable silence filled the air for half a minute. Carter, unsure of what exactly was happening, opted to remain silent.
"Forgive my underling. At times, he speaks out of turn." Egeria stated.
"It's no problem. What exactly can I do for you?" Carter inquired.
"The Tok'ra have long known that a number of Goa'uld remained in the shadows of this galaxy. A Tok'ra operative has found shocking proof of one, possibly more of these Goa'uld. What our operative saw during his surveillance is my reason for being here." Egeria explained.
"What was seen?" Carter asked seriously.
"This Goa'uld claims to rule in General O'Neill's name." Egeria answered simply.
"I better make a phone call." Carter said before stepping into her office.
Grabbing her phone, she quickly punched in the direct line for General O'Neill's office. This line nicely bypassed those in his outer office, and was reserved for a select few. Luckily, Carter was held within that select group. Hearing O'Neill's voice on the other end of the line, Carter quickly explained what she knew. In under a minute, Carter was told that O'Neill was on his way. Returning her secure phone to its cradle, Carter stepped out of her office, and back into the briefing room. Before Carter could explain that O'Neill should arrive shortly, the chime of an Asgard transport beam filled the room. Rematerializing, O'Neill gave Carter a warm smile. Egeria also received a warm smile. Thoran was greeted with an arched eyebrow. More out of habit than because of his rank, Jack quickly took a seat at the head of the briefing table.
"So, what can I do for you?" Jack asked casually.
"You have become quite the celebrity in the galaxy." Thoran said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'm very big with the Asgard. You're nobody until you're somebody with the Asgard. I'm sure you know that though." Jack replied flippantly.
"I do not find the humor in this that you do General." Thoran hissed.
"Thoran, I will not warn you again." Egeria warned.
"You should explain to the General what your operative uncovered." Carter suggested.
For twenty minutes, Egeria recounted her operative's tale. Several times throughout the briefing, Jack was forced to ask that Egeria repeat portions of the story. At the end, everyone seated at the briefing table was silent.
"I suppose we are going to have to do something about this. Ruling a planet in my name? This Goa'uld has style, I'll give him that." Jack said before pursing his lips.