Chapter 53

Pluto

The massive hyperspace widow tore open and ejected the ancient city ship Borealis. In loose orbit near the Arkos shipyard standing guard were the Aurora class vessels Roma and Frazier, further out under cover of cloak and operating under a skeleton crew was the Athena class vessel Ajax. The three warsh.i.p.s knew the most dangerous time during the return of Borealis was after exit from hyperspace but before docking within the shipyard. With shields up and weapons at the ready the three sentinels stood guard while the city ship was guided into the safety of Arkos.

All aboard the ancient shipyard stopped to watch as Borealis was brought into dock. The damage to the ship caught many off guard. She would be repaired and would soon stand proud like her sister Atlantis. Several of the onlookers pondered submitting their candidacy now for future posting to the city ship that would surely return to Pegasus.

Within minutes of docking an army of repair robots swarmed over Borealis. A large majority of the shipyards resources were being diverted to repairing her. In another part of the shipyard doctors McKay and Lee joined the assembled engineering team to go over additions that would be added. The opportunity to make the already powerful city ship even more powerful than the ancients had intended was simply too much to resist. Assisting in this endeavor were several teams of Alterran, Furling, and Asgard scientists recently arrived from Vis Uban specifically for the Task.

Home World Command

Daniel Jackson had arrived an hour before at the behest of his long time friend General Jack O'Neill. As a rule Jackson tried to limit his time in the Pentagon to a minimum. Ushering him into his office Jack quickly began speaking.

"I assume you've heard about the situation with Teal'c" said Jack.

"Kind of hard not to hear about someone showing up with a head in a box Jack" replied Daniel.

"Yeah, it's a messy business" agreed Jack.

"The Jaffa executed a friendly ambassador Jack. Surely something is going to be done about this" protested Jackson.

"That's out of my hands for now. The IOA is taking the lead on this one" answered Jack.

"The IOA? Why am not surprised? You and I both know they will make an even bigger mess of this than it already is" surmised Jackson.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In case you haven't noticed my plate is slightly full with everything going on elsewhere" answered O'Neill.

"So what was so important to drag me here Jack" asked Daniel.

"I want to know your plans for the future" stated Jack.

"As you know I'm still pouring over the Atlantis database. That alone could take years" answered Daniel.

"You're going to be pulled off that for now actually" interjected O'Neill.

"What? I'm the most qualified person for this! I'm not doing another video introduction series for the program instead. People didn't like the first series I'm told" huffed Daniel.

"The IOA is posting you elsewhere Daniel and it's out of my hands" said Jack leaning back in his office chair.

"Jack, I won't work for the IOA. I'm not a politician and unlike them I actually enjoy accomplishing things that are beneficial to mankind" said Daniel hotly.

"Calm down for a second. You huffed and puffed when I didn't let you join the Atlantis expedition. So here is your chance now. Borealis will be returning to Pegasus when repaired" stated O'Neill.

"So you called me all the way here to tell me I'm joining the team on Borealis when she's repaired" asked Daniel.

"No Daniel, I'm not telling you you're joining the team. I'm telling you that you will be commanding the team" smugly stated Jack.

"Commanding? Um Jack, I'm not a member of the IOA or a military officer" retorted Daniel.

"Neither was Dr. Weir" countered Jack.

"If I were to do this would I be free to continue my research" asked Daniel.

"What you do in your free time is up to you Daniel. Frankly the thoughts of what you do on a Saturday night are too scary to contemplate to me anyway" answered Jack.

Sitting back in his chair Daniel pondered the offer of this assignment. The chance to finally have unrestricted access around the clock to a city of the ancients was too tempting to resist. Think of all he could accomplish. If Woolsey can do this then I am certain I can also he thought.

"Why me" asked Daniel.

"The argument was made for you that without your contributions to the program we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today. You did after make travel through the stargate possible" answered Jack.

"Ok Jack, I accept" said Daniel proudly.