Chapter 112

White House

Sitting behind his desk President Hayes looked up and smiled as he saw Lt. Col. Davis entered the oval office. Ushering the officer to a seat in front of the desk the President took a sip from his coffee mug before leaning back in his chair.

"I've seen that look on your face before Paul. This must mean you've got good news for me" said Hayes smiling.

"That I do Mr. President. Events on Dagan took an unexpected turn" replied Davis.

"Unexpected is good, unless it's unexpected like when you're traveling and can't find your travelers checks" added Hayes.

"This unexpected turn of events worked greatly in our favor. The 3rd ACR and elements of Task Force 190 managed to quickly contain the Genii. Using a combination of air and ground power our forces quickly tightened the noose around their proverbial necks. By this point our ground elements were within a day's march of the capital" stated Davis.

"Ok, so our boys are out there doing their thing. Sounds like their doing well. By all means continue" said the President.

"Ambassador Dorin was present during the conflict aboard Ajax. He stated that it was his duty to be there as our ally. Colonel Young reported that during our ground forces last engagement with Genii positions the Ambassador approached him. I'm paraphrasing here but the conversation was something to the effect of all forces needed to be diverted away from the capital or returned to our vessels in orbit. The Colonel complied with this request since it came from an allied diplomat. Before he could acknowledge the request the Ambassador disappeared" stated Davis.

"When I took office I had to sit down and read every mission report from the SGC, that was a long read. From what I gather these ascended guys have a habit of just vanishing into thin air. Honestly, I hope one of them doesn't show up here and ask me something and vanish, that might not make the secret service happy" replied Hayes.

"Moments later sensors aboard our vessels detected atmospheric anomalies above the exact center of the Daganian capital. Energy readings went off the scale, and what the reports call a hurricane formed out of thin air. Minutes later an intense above ground explosion was noted, but later observations failed to detect any damage at ground level. When the hurricane like system cleared the Genii were simply gone" said Davis.

"Gone as in ran and hid" asked Hayes.

"No Mr. President. Gone as in not present on the planets surface. Each and every member of the Genii forces disappeared. It's a fair assessment that the Ambassador took matters into his own hands" replied Davis.

"I like this guy already! Ok, so he took care of our problem for us. I fail to see how this is a bad thing. If the enemy is no longer on the planet then we chalk that one up as a win for the good guys" exclaimed Hayes.

"That is essentially what the ground commander said also. The stand down order for all ground and air units has already gone out. The Joint Chiefs would like to keep the 3rd ACR on the ground for the next few weeks as a just in case. Rebuilding efforts are already underway. From this point it's more of a humanitarian aide mission" replied Davis.

"Level with me Paul. How many casualties on our end" asked Hayes.

"Eight Mr. President. One Bradley was destroyed killing the crew and the infantry dismounts aboard" solemnly replied Davis.

"I want their families taken care of Paul. If anyone asks tell them that comes from me. When we rotate the 3rd ACR home I'll fly out and pay them a visit and thank them. We did a good thing here Paul" answered Hayes.

"That we did Mr. President. General Landry informed me to pass along that construction at the Alpha site is past stage two, and stage three will begin within the week" finished Davis.

"If I can ever find the time I would love to go out to the Alpha site and see this little circus for myself" replied Hayes with a wistful look on his face.

New Heliopolis

Seated within the meeting room sat Melia of the Ancients, Dorin of the Furling, Freyr of the Asgard, and Lya of the Nox. For several minutes a conversation of great significance had been taking place. The four members of the benevolent races had come together to discuss the events on Dagan.

"Many of my people are uncomfortable with your actions on Dagan. Some feel it was done without forethought, and the ramifications are most troubling" said Melia.

"My people as well strongly disagree with the path you took. The end result of your actions we find abhorrent" added Lya.

"You will find no disagreement from the Asgard Dorin. Much as my race has done in the past to uphold the Protected Planets Treaty we understand that your actions while extreme were necessary" stated Freyr.

"I did what I felt must be done, and feel no shame for my actions. For far too long we on the ascended plain turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of the few on this plain of existence" said Dorin.

"You used your ascended abilities against mortals" countered Melia.

"I did and make no excuse for doing so. Need I remind you of what your people did to Velona? While I eliminated a threat to a peaceful people your people laid waste to an entire civilization. What's done is done" replied Dorin while looking directly at Melia.

"Although we now interact with the corporeal plain that in no way grants us permission to use our powers against the mortals. They are far less advanced than we" objected Melia.

"Think back to your time in the Pegasus galaxy. When the Wraith first emerged and began assaulting human worlds your people marshaled your forces and declared war. Were the Wraith not far less advanced at that time" asked Dorin lightly.

"It accomplishes nothing to bicker back and forth in this manner. Moving forward the Asgard High Council feels the time is at hand for the ascended races to take an active role in duties only the Asgard and Tauri trouble themselves with, and that is protecting those in need" stated Freyr.

"I concur" added Dorin.

"This Council of the Great Races exists to answer questions such as these. While the Nox will never lower ourselves to the point of violence we do see the logic in assisting the younger races in surviving until they too can become great" said Lya.

"For many thousands of years my people forbid interfering on the corporeal plain, fore we thought it would make us no better than the Ori. What you ask is a reversal of our highest law" replied Melia.

"The reversal of which you speak has already occurred. Here you sit. Vis Uban is again occupied. Your people work hand in hand with the Tauri. The point you attempt to make is moot" said Freyr.