Chapter 135

North American Aerospace Defense Command

Tensions were high within the command center of NORAD, deep within the confines of the upper levels of Cheyenne Mountain. Forty eight hours earlier, after receipt of flash traffic from the commander of United States Strategic Command, all missile launch detection systems had been placed at their highest state of readiness. Instead of looking towards the known nuclear powers of the world, such as China and Russia, the satellite based detection systems were primed for what was termed as a rogue launch, by a smaller state.

Sitting at their stations within the high tech command center, superbly trained and highly educated officers of the United States Air Force and Canadian Air Force watched their screens. Any launch around the globe would be detected within seconds by the incredibly sensitive infrared detection systems high above the planet. Few times since the end of the Cold War had NORAD seen this level of readiness.

Clearly, something was happening. Announcements two days before from the government had made little sense. Schools were to be closed for today, the stock market would remain closed, and a banking holiday had been declared. Among the men of NORAD, conspiracy theories began to flourish. In the airspace above the United States, several specialized aircraft were in the air. The 747 know as kneecap or the National Emergency Airborne Command Post was airborne, as was the E-8 Looking Glass aircraft that the public referred to as the Doomsday Plane. Should untold hostilities break out, America's strategic forces stood ready.

Department of Homeland Security Command Center, Washington DC

The national security defense exercise named Epic Protector was underway. In all fifty states and US territories, law enforcement, emergency services, National Guard units, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency were out in full force. Never before in US history had such a show of force been seen in all corners of the country, but for what was coming the Administration had felt it wise.

To the many thousands of first responders participating in Epic Protector, it was simply an emergency management exercise focusing on maintaining order in the event of social breakdown. A recent briefing at the hands of the President and Joint Chiefs had brought home the reality of the exercise to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Thoughts of the ramifications disclosure might have on the social fabric of the United States had kept the Secretary up at night, with cold sweats.

Despite the assurances from the Joint Chiefs that a countermeasure existed to avert a catastrophic breakdown in social order, the Secretary had severe misgivings. Under his tenure, mass rioting in every major city in the country would do little to bring about a successful run for Senate in two years. Things were much easier when I was the Governor of Maine thought the Secretary.

Area 51

Several years of testing and study of the device before the assembled team of scientists had led to astounding discoveries. The technology was unlike anything other example of Ancient technology. Predating even the stargate system, this piece of technology had saved humanity once before, and it was hoped that it could again avert disaster.

The Ark of Truth was an amazingly complex piece of technology. Originally conceived to save the Ancients from the wrath of an increasingly powerful and fanatical Ori, it had been shelved without being put to use. That use, against the followers of the Ori would come many millions of years later at the hands of the Tauri. Once activated, the Ark had the ability to implant acceptance of the information it was programmed to transmit. The only catch, the information could only be true in nature or the Ark would not work as promised.

Since the Ark's arrival at Area 51, a team of scientists had examined the device. Once a thorough understanding was found, work turned to putting it to other uses. For the last six months, a team of mental health professionals and intelligence officials had put together the finer points of the new program recently added to the Ark. This program outlined the history of the stargate program, and the new realities of the world for mankind. It didn't stop there though.

Free will and the highest reverence for liberty were concepts highly prized and valued by the Ancients, as well as the Americans. These concepts were added to the overall program of the Ark. Also included for transmission was a reinforcement of the importance of education and the pursuit of knowledge.

While implantation of these ideals in any subject was far from humanitarian, it was felt by the Administration that the alternative was far worse. A recent series of trails with this new program showed that it performed without fault. Finally, the Ark was ready for deployment.

As the Ark was engulfed in a bright flash of light before vanishing, Dr. Duncan Hamilton crossed his fingers. If the device performed as advertised, the world would turn a new page in its history. If it didn't, well that didn't even need to be considered.

Off the coast of Karachi, Pakistan

Eighty miles off the coast, in the Arabian Sea, stood the aircraft carriers John C. Stennis and Abraham Lincoln with their assorted battle group. Two hundred miles to the southeast was the Chinese carrier Shi Lang, off the coast of India. It was rare when the two nations naval assets worked in close proximity, and even rarer when they worked in conjunction with one another. Now was one of those ultra rare instances.

Following orders from their perspective governments, the two carrier forces maintained station over the potential hotspot that is the India/Pakistan border. Clearly, the National Command Authority as the President was known in Pentagon speak, was concerned about a possible flare up of tensions between the two nations. The presence of a carrier battle group was known around the world as the easiest way to ease tensions without firing a shot. Should a shot need firing, the two Nimitz class carriers carried more attack aircraft than all the other carriers of the nations of the world combined.

Standing on the fantail of the Stennis, her commanding officer looked out over the rippled wake of the mighty ship. Pulling on his cigarette, he looked to his right and noted his commander of the air group approaching.

"You looking for me CAG" asked the Captain.

"Sure am skipper. Wanted to let you know that I've got the Hawkeye deployed on station, with two Hornets as chasers and two more standing by on alert five status. If anything takes off in Pakistan we'll know about it" said the CAG.

"Good man. Now, if only we knew just what was going on it would be great" countered the Skipper.

"In this part of the world, who knows" replied the CAG.

"Let's just hope it doesn't hit the fan this time around. CAG, I want plans drawn up for an Alpha Strike if needed. Draw it up with the Shi Lang's CAG" ordered the Skipper.

"Aye aye" replied CAG before walking away.

"Should have joined the Air Force" muttered the Skipper.