Chapter 113

New Heliopolis

"Freyr is correct. We have already committed our races to this path. To back out now is not only foolish but the height of folly. Our duty as ascended races is to use the power we wield for just causes. To not do so makes us crueler even than the Ori ever could have been" stated Dorin.

"I see your point, and share your standpoint on many of the issues. If we agree to follow this path all parties present must agree to shoulder responsibility for this decision" said Melia.

"All parties agreed to do that very thing when this coalition was formed so many ages ago. If we call the Tauri our equals in this council it is only fitting that we fight beside them in their war. A war they had no part in starting" said Dorin.

"You mean the Wraith" accused Melia.

"I do. While it is clear that the Tauri have the ability to defeat the Wraith it is an endeavor that will take time without our assistance. How many lives will be lost to the Wraith during that time? If we stand here and do nothing we are murderers ourselves" spat Dorin.

"The Asgard have taken it upon ourselves to assist the Tauri in this war with the Wraith. Even now our sh.i.p.s patrol the Pegasus galaxy" added Freyr.

"If all of you feel so strongly about this then I agree that my people will take a more proactive role in corporeal events" sighed Melia.

"That isn't enough. You cannot take action simply because you think it's expected. You must genuinely want to guide and safeguard your children. We must lay waste to the barriers of the paste. I propose we grant amnesty to all those ascended that dared to intervene on the corporeal plain. A just people are capable of forgiveness, and it is time to forgive those ascended beings their transgressions of the paste. Follow the lead your children have taken and show concern for those we see beneath us" said Dorin.

"If this is to be the new path of this council I have a request on behalf of the Nox" said Lya.

"Please make your request known" answered Melia.

"A race exists that we took an interest in. For some time now that race has been in need of our aid and I ask now that we grant that aid" stated Lya.

"Which race do you speak of Lya" asked Freyr.

"The Tollan. Their world was laid to waste by the Goa'uld several years ago. What remains of them on Tollana live in squalor. With our assistance they can rebuild their civilization and perhaps one day earn a place at this table" answered Lya.

The three delegates locked their gaze upon Melia. Several minutes passed in silence. Finally, Melia looked each in the eye before speaking.

"If these are your wishes for this Council I see no other course than to bow to those wishes. From this point forth my people will stand beside the Tauri in this war they did not start. The points you have presented here this day resound within me. It is our duty to stand in the path of belligerents and we will do so. Furthermore we will comply with the requests of the Nox and intercede on the behalf of the Tollan" said Melia with conviction.

With those sentences said aloud the path of future events for billions of lives was set in motion across several galaxies.

P4X-650

P4X-650 as it was known by the SGC was also known by its other name; the Alpha site. Located six hundred and forty light years from Earth, the planet was actually the third celestial body to bear the Alpha site name. Lessons had been learned after the destruction of the first two locations. Those lessons had been incorporated into the construction of the third. Built into a mountain much like the SGC, the facility contained its stargate underground. Jutting from a shear cliff could be seen the five thousand foot runway utilized by the permanent detachment of F-302's stationed there.

The lush forested world that was P4X-650 was heavily forested, with dramatic mountain ranges. The planet was also home to blue oceans with abundant life. Although many factors made this planet perfect for habitation, no indigenous population had ever existed here. Taking full advantage of that fact the Tauri had leaped at the chance to locate their primary off world base there.

Much had happened here in the last year. It had started with the arrival of several hundred human form replicators over a period of weeks. It progressed to periodic material delivery to a site one hundred miles to the west, on a lush mountain surrounded plain. It was there the replicators made full use of the materials delivered to them with increasing frequency. At the moment several teams were on world installing the latest round of additions. One team went about the instillation of a control chair within the underground control center that would make use of the supply of drones now residing in an underground magazine. The remaining teams went about the instillation of a planetary shield system identical to that recently placed on Earth. Complementing these defenses was an array of Lagrangian Point Satellites.

The combination of these defenses made P4X-650 the second most heavily defended position in the Milky Way. The Alpha site cadre knew all too well just what was to be defended. The human form replicators had been brought here for a specific purpose. While that purpose had not been known at the time of their arrival it soon became clear after several F-302 over flights of their position to the west.

What had once been a vast open plain amid the surrounding mountain range soon began to change into something else entirely. What began as transported ingots of refined metals soon began to resemble a civilization at its height. Towering spires climbed into the air. Joining these spires were sky bridges. To even the untrained eye the graceful buildings resembled the Ancient's architectural flare. Several of the 302 pilots that were formerly stationed aboard the Apollo and Daedalus knew exactly what they were looking at. The city taking shape beneath them was a copy of the capital city of Asuras.

While not yet matching in size the city that inspired this one, the city continued to grow. Day and night the human form replicators moved closer to the end goal. Never needing rest the process of construction was amazingly fast. When complete the city would rival the size of the entire area of Manhattan Island. This mass expanse of artistic expression covered in intricate stained glass would serve as the expression of the efforts taken by the SGC to advance mankind. This city would be the crown jewel within the Tauri domain, much like Vis Uban was meant to be for the Ancient's.

When complete the city would be comprised of districts for each of the great races to make use of. The gathering of the great minds of the combined races would make this city the hub of knowledge within the Milky Way.

In surrounding valleys near the great city further building would commence. A ship construction facility much like Arkos station was planned, along with repair and resupply facilities to support the fleet. Within that resupply facility would reside special chambers and equipment needed for the production of ZPM's. Seeking to avoid an all eggs in one basket situation, the Tauri would expand their fleet construction and support infrastructure beyond just Arkos.

As the sun set over the majestic snow capped mountain peaks, the fading rays of sunlight glinted off the expanse of glass covering the buildings below. Without a thought, the human form replicators continued towards their goal. With each moment that goal moved closer towards becoming the living and breathing city the Tauri envisioned. Named for the mythical Buddhist city of knowledge and understanding Shambhala came into being.