Chapter 36

Home World Command

Off world visitors were a rarity in the ultra secure facility. In normal circ.u.mstances a lengthy security background investigation was required before the military would even admit the offices of Home World Command even existed. In this instance those procedures went by the wayside. General O'Neill considered himself a soldier first, and a diplomat almost never. In his time SGC he had played diplomat far more times than he wished. Putting his best face on the meeting to come he pushed the button on his interoffice intercom and told SMSgt Harriman to show in the guest in the waiting room.

The woman gracefully entered O'Neill's office and took the seat that was offered in front of the large oak desk. Having met Ascended beings many times Jack found no further novelty in the exercise.

"Thank you for taking the time to provide this audience General" said Melia.

"I always have time for a friendly Ascended being get together" smiled Jack.

"I am certain you have other issues to deal with this day so I will get to the point of my visit" she said.

"And that might be" asked Jack.

"Your people have made great strides in their understanding and use of Atlantis, Destiny, and Arkos station. I have come to provide you the key to assisting in further easing your use of the systems contained in the locations mentioned' said Melia smoothly.

"That would be much appreciated by the science types we have working on these matters" responded the General.

"Arkos station does not require the activation code I will share with you as the station placed itself in a power conservation mode with the assistance system in an active mode. Atlantis's system was shut down when the city was set to slumber, and Destiny's system was never activated so they of course will require activation" said Melia.

"And what might that code be" asked O'Neill.

"In either database under the systems management partition an option labeled strenuous cogitatione interna will be found. Translated that means activate internal thought in your language. From there a holder of the ATA gene as you call it must think the phrase scientiam et intellectum veri repraesentant. This translated means science and understanding represent truth. This code can also be manually entered by someone lacking the ATA gene. This code phrase will activate the intelligence avatar of the internal computers" stated Melia.

"Just what do these avatars do exactly" asked Jack.

"You call them Artificial Intelligence. They serve the function of a crew, an advisor, and if need be a teacher of the systems available. On Atlantis the avatar is imbued with the sum total of our knowledge base. These systems were designed to interface with those around them in a visual and auditory was, and also posses the ability to interface with individuals on a neural level" answered Melia.

"Don't get me wrong when I say this. We haven't had the greatest of experiences dealing with some of your technologies in the past. Case in point the Asurans" replied Jack.

"The Asurans were a failed weapon that we mistakenly thought was eradicated after the experiment failed to live up to our high hopes. These systems are not weapons. They were created to assist inhabitants with any and all tasks they face. Their primary directive is to protect those in their care. No danger exists in their use. It is far more dangerous to make use of systems without the avatars active" explained Melia.

"So you're saying this is essentially a very advanced baby sitter" pressed Jack.

"Not at all general. While you have brilliant individuals on both Destiny and Atlantis, their understanding of the systems remains at a very basic level. Without the assistance of these avatars the full potential of the systems available would be impossible to unlock" Melia answered in a soothing voice.

"What's the catch" asked Jack suspiciously.

"No catch exists. The avatars exist to ease system integration. In time of attack the avatar has the knowledge to advise on the best use of offensive and defensive systems. I believe the term you use is user friendly. Simply give them an outline of what you wish done and it will be so" answered Melia.

"I will pass this information along in the next scheduled check in. We thank you. It's nice to be able to actually work together now that you actually acknowledge we're here. I owe you a fruit basket or maybe a gift certificate perhaps" said Jack dryly.