Chapter 22

K'Tau

The Hermes had been in the solar system containing K'Tau for several days. Colonel Mitchell's mission was the deployment of a constellation of monitoring satellites to ensure the Protected Planets Treaty was abided by.

"Sir, I'm detecting a vessel in hyperspace on a path for this solar system. Estimate craft will exit hyperspace near K'Tau's outermost moon." said the long-range sensors operator.

"Very well. Helm, plot a course and give me full sub light." responded Cam.

At full sub light the Hermes was only moments from the predicted interception point. Almost on cue the green tinted hyperspace window opened up and two Ha'Tak class vessels exited.

"Ha'Tak vessels, this is the Tauri ship Hermes. Your presence here is in direct violation of the Protected Planets Treaty. I advise you to reenter hyperspace and head to greener pastures." said Mitchell in the subspace message.

"Sir, they are raising their shields and powering weapons." said the sensor operator.

"Ok people, they want to do it the hard way. Shields up and bring all weapons online." ordered Mitchell.

The large holographic communications screen suddenly came online. Clearly these vessels belonged to the Lucian Alliance based on the clothing worn by those seen in the video reply.

"Tauri vessel, I am Bulak. The Lucian Alliance is not a signatory of your treaty and do not recognize its authority over the actions of our government. We lay claim to this system, so it is you in violation of our protected territory. Exit this system now." ordered Bulak in a condescending tone.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Bulak. This system is under the protection of the Asgard and Tauri. Again, I'll advise you to exit this system forthwith." responded the Colonel.

Out of hyperspace exited an O'Neill class vessel of the Asgard. The O'Neill class easily dwarfed both Ha'tak's and the Hermes combined. In seconds the vessels shields were raised. Aboard the Lucian Alliance sh.i.p.s preparations were quickly made to fire on both vessels in their sights. Appearing on the bridge of the lead Ha'Tak was a holographic representation of an Asgard.

"I am Freyr of the Asgard. This system is under the protection of races technologically superior to your own. It is inadvisable to dispute this fact. Leave this system now and never return, or you will meet certain defeat." said Freyr.

"The Asgard have not been seen in several years. You are nothing more than a Tauri deception. It is you who will be defeated here." spat Bulak.

"I assure you the words I speak are true. Captured Goa'uld technology is no match for the might of the races that stand before you. Ignore this final warning and the end will make clear who deceived whom." confidently stated Freyr.

Bulak was a brave man, but knew to fear the Asgard if it was truly them before him. With a simple order, both Ha'tak's jumped to hyperspace and quickly exited the system. The people of K'Tau were secure once again.

Vis Uban

The city was once again thriving. Ascended Ancients walked in material form among Humans, Asgard, Furling, and Nox. The Earth's first delegation of scientific minds had arrived. They would be educated on the building blocks of the other four races technologies. Each scientist was grouped with one tutor of each race. These groups would focus on individual areas. Energy, environmental science, biology, physics, and engineering were just a few of the areas of focus.

Elsewhere in the city construction had begun on the eighty separate modules that made up a Supergate. Their construction would take time. The engineers who had conceived and constructed the Pegasus gates went about this task. They were chosen because the Pegasus gates were the final and most advanced version of the Astria Porta, as they were called in the Alterran language.

With the combined minds of the five races gathered here Vis Uban was now the undisputed hub of knowledge and learning in the galaxy.