Chapter 121

P4X-650

"Oh now you want to trade. Do you remember what you told us when we needed your help? I'll help you out a bit since I remember very clearly. We do not share our technology with races more primitive than our own. You Chancellor belong to such a race" said Jack with a smirk.

"This is an outrage" shrieked Travell.

"No Chancellor, the outrage is your actions leading up to the attack upon your world" interjected Lya.

"I'm afraid I do not know of what you speak Lya" answered Travell carefully.

"Is it true that you entered into an agreement with the Goa'uld to produce weaponry capable of passing through Earth's gate iris in exchange for being allowed to live? Such weaponry was in fact produced" replied Lya.

"None of you were present for the situation and I ask that this matter be dropped forthwith" demanded Travell.

"The young races do not always do as they are told. We the Nox assisted your race in rebuilding once not because you were advanced but because you were in need. You took that charity and in return you offer to destroy another race. These are not the actions of an enlightened and advanced race" said Lya clearly.

"It's simple Chancellor. We're willing to let bygones be bygones and allow your people to remain here as long as you would like. We will not be sharing technology though, end of story" said Jack with a tone of finality.

"Then all is in the past, correct" asked Travell.

"For the most part" replied Jack.

"The Tauri may be willing to let the matter lay where it is, but it is not that simple. You broke your people's highest law, and also the trust of the Nox. Your own laws require that you stand in Triad to be judged" said Lya.

"You seek to prosecute me? That will never happen" defiantly stated Travell.

"Lya speaks the truth Chancellor. Her interpretation of our laws is correct, and you must stand in Triad for what has occurred" added Narim.

"How dare any of you speak to me in such a manner? I am the Chancellor of the Tollan Curia" hissed Travell.

"Do not assume all are siding against you Chancellor. The Nox choose no sides, we are friends to all. We value fair treatment of all parties, and in this case that can only be established if you stand in judgment. The Tauri are our allies, and one of the Five Great Races. This will be so" said Lya plainly.

"The matter of Omac's murder must also be brought before Triad" pronounced Narim.

"A Chancellor cannot be brought before Triad and remain in office" objected Travell.

"Our people have spoken over the years and their wish is that I replace you until such time as another more qualified leader can be found" replied Narim.

"The evidence you would use against me is lost, this Triad will not succeed" stated Travell triumphantly.

"That's actually not the case. To assist in your rebuild the Ess.e.x beamed aboard your underground computer cores. We should have all of your records. That will be beamed down here within the hour" said Jack with somewhat of a smile.

Refusing to hear anymore Travell stood and walked furiously out of the room. Close behind her was Camille Wray. Once the two left the room tensions eased considerably.

"Colonel O'Neill, I wish to thank you for what you are doing and all that you will do for the Tollan people" stated Narim.

"It's General now, but who's counting. Maybe now you guys can learn some humility towards races that need a leg up" replied Jack.

"We have learned much in our time in the wild. As you say we still have much to learn. Perhaps you and your people can aid us in that as well" suggested Narim.

"The Five Great Races will do all that we can to assist your people" said Lya smiling.

As the conversation continued elsewhere in the great city the peoples of Novus eagerly interacted with the newly arrived Tollan's. Over the course of the day the Tollan's would learn much that they would have never believed possible a few short years ago about the Tauri. As they interacted with the Novan's a feeling of home began to spread amongst the new arrivals. The beating heart of Shambhala was now alive as the first of many residents settled in.

Ares

Gliding through the ethereal plane of hyperspace the Ares effortlessly charged closer and closer to her destination. After months of lobbying Colonel Sheppard's request had finally been granted. When General O'Neill had laid Sheppard's request in the lap of President Hayes he hadn't been hopeful of a forthcoming authorization. Much to Jack's surprise, the President had applauded Sheppard's determination going so far as to call the mission a debt of honor.

Sitting in the command chair on the Bridge of Ares John thought back to all that had changed since his accidental indoctrination into the world's single best kept secret. Much had changed since that day. Friends had been made and lost. Were it not for his time in Pegasus he felt certain his military career would have been long over. Finally he was being allowed the chance to repay the one responsible for this second chance.

"Colonel, we will be exiting hyperspace in forty five seconds" stated the helmsman.

"Understood helm. Give me one tenth sublight on exit. Sensors, I want full sweeps of the area" ordered Sheppard.

'Will you be wanting shields sir" asked the defensive systems operator.

"No shields or weapons for now" replied Sheppard.

Exiting hyperspace, the Ares engaged her sublight engines and began to plow ahead towards the planet in her path. Her powerful sensors scanned not just the area that lay before them but the system around for any unseen threats that may be waiting. In geosynchronous orbit around the planet a space gate remained stationary. After travelling many hundreds of light years across the Pegasus galaxy Ares had arrived at her destination.

"Sensors show nothing other than what we've been told to expect. The threat board is clear sir" called out the sensor operator.

"Give me a visual on the space gate and any objects near it" ordered Sheppard.

"On screen now sir' replied the sensor operator.

On the holographic display before the bridge crew images began to appear. The unmistakable image of a space gate was clear for all to see. In orbit near the gate were six much smaller objects.

"I show six objects in close proximity to the gate sir. Miniscule energy readings" called out the sensor operator.

"Magnify the image" responded Sheppard.

As the image zoomed in for a closer look at the objects near the orbiting space gate a gasp was heard on the bridge. The objects were perfectly preserved bodies. While the six were found only one held any importance to the commanding officer of Ares.

"The one we're looking will be furthest from the gate as she was the first to pass through. Verify the remaining five objects range to the gate" ordered John.

"Target is twenty meters from the gate. Remaining objects are within ten to twelve meters sir" replied the sensor operator.

"Lock the transporter on the target. We will be beaming the observation deck" instructed the Colonel.

"Do you wish to repeat that for the remaining objects sir" asked the sensor operator.

"No. They will not be going with us. Once we have beamed the target aboard dial the gate. The event horizon will dematerialize the others. They are a problem we simply do not need. Beam the target aboard in three minutes. That will give me time to get to the observation deck" replied Sheppard.

"Roger that sir" replied sensors.

"Make sure a security team is on the observation deck armed with anti-replicator weapons" said Sheppard as he exited the bridge.

Proceeding towards the observation deck John's emotions swirled within him. Although he had fought for this mission now that the time was at hand he was having second thoughts. What if this were a bad idea he wondered? If this went wrong he knew well that it could mean the end of his career. As he entered the large windowed room the he noted the two man security detail arriving, armed with ARG's.

"Glad to see you made it. Keep those things at the ready" ordered John.

"Is this an imminent threat sir" asked one of the Marine's.

"Not exactly. She is a friend of mine, but people change. If anything happens don't wait for the command, just open fire. Understood" asked Sheppard.

"Yes sir" the Marine's responded in unison.

Seconds later a piercing flash of white light illuminated the room for a brief moment. Looking down at the floor John saw that the correct body lay before him. Having retrieved a replicator from the cold void of space once before, he knew it would take a moment for the nanites to come back online. It started with a flutter of the eyelids, and small movements of the arms and legs. Finally the eyes opened to take in the surroundings. Looking around, seeing the two Marine's with weapons leveled brought an apprehensive look. Then the eyes found a familiar face that brought a smile to the now animated face. Standing up slowly the woman kept her gaze planted on Sheppard.

"John, what is happening" the being asked.

"Hello Elizabeth. Good to see you too" replied Sheppard with his customary smirk.

"Why am I here? Where am I" asked Doctor Weir.

"You're aboard my ship, the Ares. We came to give you another chance at life" replied John.

"So you're not with Atlantis any longer? Knowing you have a ship of your own makes me so happy for you. Will I be returning to Atlantis" Weir asked.

"Not exactly. A lot has happened since you stepped through that gate. We're taking you back to Atlantis but you will be heading on to the Milky Way" answered Sheppard with a knowing grin.

"Helm this is Sheppard. Set course for Atlantis, maximum hyperspace" ordered Sheppard into his radio earpiece