Chapter 124

Wraith Hive Ship

Sitting in the throne room the Wraith queen known as The First was filled with a frightening and furious anger. The destruction of the shipyard by the humans was of no concern, as she expected as much from them and had several shipyards elsewhere producing the much needed additions to the Wraith fleet. What angered her most were the continued actions of the betrayer. His insolence could no longer be tolerated. The last commander she had assigned to run down the betrayer had not only failed in his task to deliver her prey's head to her, but had joined the ranks of her prey.

Her monumental ego did not permit the thought of how tenuous her position among the other queens truly was. In her bloodl.u.s.t for revenge against the betrayer The First was quickly loosing her iron like grasp over several of her key commanders. Despite the spike in defections to the other side she was confident that her building and cloning program would provide more than sufficient fodder to her armada.

Knowing that a decisive showdown was on the horizon major cullings were underway. Worlds already culled deeply were being culled completely. The long term cost of stripping these worlds bare of human life was seen as a necessary evil to rid the galaxy once and for all of the two groups that opposed her. Once the war was won the excess Wraith being brought into existence for this fight would be fed upon to make up for the shortfall in humans to feed upon.

With her anger and venom boiling over the turmoil within the Wraith hive mind was known to all. With a pragmatic approach to their survival several key commanders quietly plotted their individual defections. The cracks within the shiny veneer of Wraith solidarity continued to fissure unchecked.

In another corner of the galaxy Todd was aware of the deep divisions forming in the forces he faced. Bringing to bear his skills at political adroitness he exploited these divisions. Knowing he could oppose his enemy directly he also sought to oppose his enemy from within their own ranks. The defections that started as a trickle would soon grow into an unchecked tide. Todd was certain that in this instance time was most assuredly on his side.

P4X-650

Within the city of Shambhala a steady rhythm to daily life had been quickly found for the new arrivals. Both the People of Novus and the Tollan's were now situated and making the most of their new home. Understanding how traumatic an upheaval like the loss of a home world can be the Novan's went above and beyond in making the Tollan's feel welcome. This interaction had been encouraged very subtly by Camille Wray in the hopes of swaying Tollan public opinion towards the Tauri.

The outpouring of material assistance from the Five Races had been staggering. Everything from basic necessities to luxuries such as entertainment devices found their way to the city's new inhabitants. It was felt that after the tribulations both races had been through they should want for nothing while adjusting to their new surroundings. Slowly a division in beliefs was forming among the Tollan's. One side felt that the amount of kindness being shown was proof of the benevolent intentions of the Tauri, while the other side felt it amounted to a slap in the face that their new found technological preeminence was undeserved by their hosts.

Having closely monitored the developing positions of the opposing factions within the Tollan people Camille Wray had dutifully reported her findings to the SGC. In a cryptic reply General O'Neill had told her not to worry as help was on the way. What exactly that meant she still had as yet to figure out fully.

For the past twenty minutes delegates of the Five Great Races had been arriving at Shambhala. At the request of Chancellor Travell the impromptu summit had been put together. Unknown to Travell this meeting afforded the Tauri the chance to reaffirm their level of technological prowess over their new guests.

At General O'Neill's request the assembled gathering of leaders met on the highest tower in the city's scenic balcony. This balcony possessed an amazing view of the skyline, and the deep lake Shambhala was built around. To even the ascended beings within the group the panoramic view was inspiring.

"The location of this meeting I find highly irregular. Diplomatic protocol dictates a more formal setting than this" protested Travell.

"We're setting protocol to the side for the moment Chancellor. I thought you might like the chance to see something new" hinted O'Neill.

"The city is even more impressive than I first imagined General" conceded Narim.

"Why thank you Narim. That's very nice of you to say" said O'Neill with a smile.

"This city is a truly impressive achievement" added Dorin.

"I must agree with Ambassador Dorin. Shambhala is a centerpiece within this galaxy" stated Freyr.

"The young have come far" said Lya with her customary smile.

"Chancellor Travell, I trust you have settled in well into your new surroundings" stated Melia.

"We have" answered Travell curtly.

"General O'Neill what exactly did you wish for us to see here today" asked Narim.

"General, Atlantis exited hyperspace four minutes ago and is entering the atmosphere now" interjected Wray.

"Well Narim, if you'll turn your attention skyward you'll see in a few moments" replied O'Neill.

In the sky high above could be seen a massive fireball plummeting through the upper atmosphere. To the untrained this fireball could easily be mistaken for a meteor or other similar object breaking apart under the building drag of the planets atmosphere. To the initiated though, this was nothing more than a city ship completing its final descent for touch down.

"Are we in danger General" asked Narim with concern.

"Not at all Narim. That is Atlantis come to deliver a new member to the Shambhala team" replied Jack.

The imposing form of the city ship steadied its rate of descent and angle of attack. With a grace that belied its size Atlantis came to a stop at seven thousand feet for a perfectly controlled vertical descent to the lake below. The sight of it even to those who had seen it before was awe inspiring. Once on the surface of the lake a telescoping hallway like sky bridge extended towards the center spire of Atlantis.

"If you'll excuse me I will go fetch Dr. Weir. Camille, care to join me" asked Jack.

Wordlessly Wray followed the General. Having read so much about Elizabeth Weir she was enthused at the chance to meet the woman she had thought dead.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to see such a sight as this. Truly amazing" proclaimed Narim.

"Are we to believe the Tauri built this flying city of theirs" asked Travell with venom in her voice.

"No Chancellor you are not. It was my race that built Atlantis" said Melia simply.

"The Tauri have made use of Atlantis to great effect" added Freyr.

"What of this shipyard I have heard so much about. Arkos I believe they call it" asked Travell.

"We too built Arkos many millions of years ago" replied Melia.

"Do you not see the problems this can create? Intrusting a primitive race with such advancements is dangerous. It also upset's the natural progression a race must endure. Technology should never be used to save a race that cannot save themselves" spat Travell.

"Chancellor, what my race opts to do with our technology is our decision and ours alone" rebutted Melia.

"Who exactly are your race" demanded Travell.

"We are the ancients. More to the point we are the creators of mankind in our image within this galaxy and others" stated Melia simply.

"It is not wise to turn over such advancements to a race lacking in the basic understandings of advanced science. I feel it my duty to intervene on behalf of the Tauri for their benefit" said Travell.

"Intervene how exactly Chancellor" asked Freyr.

'Turn these advancements over to the Tollan. We can mentor the Tauri in its use so that they might reap the fullest benefits when they are ready" smoothly stated Travell.

"Your ploy is entirely transparent. You seek not to aide the Tauri. You simply wish to have technological superiority over them once more. We seeded this galaxy with human life as it was our wish to do so. We unleashed the Goa'uld menace upon mankind to temper you into something much stronger than we could be. Although you would deny what I am about to say the fact is nonetheless undeniable to your creator. The Tollan people were originally from Earth. If anything you should thank your brothers and sisters for coming to your aid although they owed you nothing" stated Melia with slight annoyance in her voice.

"This does not alter the fact that they are primitive in comparison. They are not ready. No race should use advanced technology to save another no matter what they may face" argued Travell.

"Chancellor, you might wish to reconsider that statement, especially when in my company" urged Dorin.

"Why would I do such a thing Ambassador? Please provide one example supporting your request" demanded Travell.

"In your people's history I am certain you are aware of the Omeyocan and Crystal Skull. Using the Crystal Skull your people were transported into the care of the Omeyocan who stated very simply that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Do you dispute what I have said thus far" asked Dorin.

"I do not, but fail to see the point you are striving to make Ambassador" answered Travell.

"The skull and the Omeyocan are creations of my race. We, the Furling sought to protect those that could not protect themselves yet with our technology. Without that assistance your race would have either remained on Earth and developed at their pace, or been enslaved by the Goa'uld and transported elsewhere in this galaxy to toil as expendable labor. The argument you make is moot" explained Dorin dryly.

"The conduct in which you have continued to conduct your affairs is unacceptable behavior for someone of your position. As a member of the Asgard High Council we hope to see change in your people's leadership, although our friendship is not contingent on such a change it is recommended" added Freyr.

"Might I point out that charges have been leveled against the Chancellor? Very shortly she will stand in judgment for the allegation of murder and other duplicitous actions. A movement within her people is already at work that the Nox support fully, and that is the Chancellor's removal from her posting as head of the Tollan government" interjected Lya.

At the addition of the last few remarks Travell's normal steely façade crumbled. As her eyes began to water she could only wish she were anywhere else than where she currently stood. Several hours later watching the security camera footage of the dialogue after he stepped away Jack thoughts took on an almost philosophical quality about the topic. You had to feel sorry for her in a way he thought. It's an extraordinary tale of an old woman who survives her races near annihilation, stuck for years on a desolate rock, only to finally get off that rock and end up as the prime suspect in a murder and government corruption trial. You can't write stuff better than this he thought.