Chapter 140

Shambhala

Construction of the megacity of Shambhala continued at a frightening pace. In anticipation of the first arrivals of a large contingent of residents from Earth, further numbers of human form replicators had been created and transported from Atlantis. After consultation with the other Great Races, a design addition was being added.

In the northeast corner of the city just taking beginning to take shape, a structure unlike any other in the known universe would be built. This structure, while intimidating in size would serve as the jumping off point for an even more intimidating goal. On Earth, the United Nations headquarters building served as the meeting place of all nations and as a safe harbor for diplomacy. That concept would be put to work again, only on a much grander scale.

The Alliance of Great Races over the course of its existence had made contact with many races in many galaxies. Lessons learned from the subjugation of both Pegasus and the Milky Way would be put to use. Delegations of all planets within the Milky Way, Pegasus, Ida, Alterran home galaxy, and Andromeda would be invited. This intergalactic diplomatic endeavor would serve to safeguard the combined races of the five galaxies through humanitarian aid and military might. Never before had such a feat been attempted or considered. If this pan universal diplomatic effort bore fruit, the races of the five galaxies would stand somewhat united instead of divided. Races both friendly and unfriendly would be welcome. From the Athosian's to the Gadmeer and the Hebridanians to the Sekkari, all would be greeted with open arms as equals.

Elsewhere, in the main administrative tower, an uncomfortable gathering was beginning. Due to intensive forensic computer analysis, the records and those that deletion was attempted upon had finally been recovered from the Tollan database. This made possible the expected and awaited Triad of Chancellor Travell. Among the Tollan people divisions and rifts had formed over the act of leveling charges against the sitting Chancellor.

Under the age old system of Triad, the two opposing parties known as Seekers are each defended by an Archon of their choice. Realizing that each Seekers Archon will vote in their favor, a third entirely neutral Archon is included. The Seekers argue their case until the Archons conclude their case and are ready for a decision. From there, each of the three Archons cast a vote for their seeker of choice leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of the third neutral Archon.

Chosen by Chancellor Travell as her Archon was Otomi, former Curia administrator. The Archon representing the Tollan people was Freyr of the Asgard. As the neutral Archon was Ohper, one of the very oldest and wisest of the Nox. Coming to order, the woman overseeing the Triad, Nahua, called everyone to order.

"I now call this Triad to session. We stand here today to bring resolution to the following accusations against Chancellor Travell. One; that at your direction records of the Curia while in session were willfully altered and or destroyed. Two; that at your direction murder was committed of a fellow Curia member in the person of Councilor Omoc. Three; that you did either alone or in concert with others enter into league with the Goa'uld known as Tannith with the intent to provide technology to a less advanced race. Four; that you conspired to share weapons technology with the then less advanced Tauri in trade for material resources. Five; at your direction a weapon was prepared for use against the Tauri despite the existence of diplomatic relations between our two peoples. Six; due to your actions while acting in concert with the Goa'uld you did endanger the Tollan people, and nearly bring about the extinction of our culture while also aiding in the destruction of the home world Tollana. I ask now that the Archons refrain from commenting outside of their appointed time to do so. Archon for Chancellor Travell, I give you the floor" said Nahua.

"I stand in defense of Chancellor Travell. One cannot attain the rank of Chancellor without the highest of moral fortitude and adherence to our laws. One of our highest laws is public disclosure without alteration of all transcripts of gatherings of the Curia. I postulate that these supposed Curia records that were altered and or destroyed had nothing to do with the Chancellor. As deleted record recovery is not possible with our computer technology, we can neither confirm nor negate these accusations in effect rendering them moot. Were we able to recover these records I believe it would be easily proven that this situation was one of Omoc's making and design. This, in combination with his suicide would ensure the downfall of the Chancellor" said Otomi.

"I wish to point out that with the aid of Asgard technology, the deleted records were recovered. After careful examination of the events surrounding these records we have found that the personal computer codes of Chancellor Travell were the authorizing party to this deletion. May I point out that the technological superiority of Asgard technology is without question far more advanced than that of the Tollan? Was this a conspiracy of Omoc's design, why would he lodge a formal protest following the Curia meeting the deleted transcript covers? Furthermore, a conspiracy to discredit another of similar political standing at a cost of ones own life is frivolous fancy of a deranged mind" countered Freyr.

"Our society, as it stood previous to Tollana's destruction was one of security and monitoring. Our health monitoring systems were time and again found to be without fault. Each Tollan carries a health implant that alerts medical services in the event of an emergency. That Omoc's implant alerted medical services and they failed to arrive in time is not murder by any means, but instead the fault of medical staff failing in their duties which led to a tragic end to a well respected man" said Otomi.

"Again I go back to the analysis of data from the Tollan computer core. Within the security systems management partition it was discovered that an emergency lock down protocol was initiated twenty seconds after Councilor Omoc's health implant signaled an alert to your medical services section. The protocol was initiated with the Chancellors computer security authorization code. With this protocol activated, the blame cannot be laid at the feet of medical personnel and labeled incompetence. Nor can this be labeled an act of conspiracy at the hands of Omoc, as his vital signs had ceased seconds before this protocol was activated" stated Freyr.

"This is an outrage! I refuse to sit here and be demeaned in such a manner! I demand a recess" shrieked Travell while bolting to her feet.

Without a further word Travell stormed out of the room and towards her quarters. How dare they speak to me in such a manner was the thought that raced through her mind. Her rage boiled over as she felt the hot burn of tears streaking down her face. In the corridor Camille Wray and Elizabeth Weir watched as the Chancellor raced past them.

"That doesn't look good at all" said Wray cautiously.

"When I was at the UN we called that the death spiral" conceded Weir.

"Can it really be that bad in there" asked Wray.

"Off the record, from what I've heard she's already dead and buried. This isn't wild west justice with a hanging judge, but its close" admitted Weir.

"And from what I was told by General O'Neill, hanging would be letting her off easy. Most of her own people blame her for what happened to them. Honestly, I'm half surprised they haven't lynched her yet" said Wray.

"Let's hope things stay that way" sighed Weir.

Exiting the transporter booth, Travell wordlessly raced past those in the hall between her and her quarters. Many of the faces she saw before her did not belong in this corridor, so they must just be gawking at her expense she thought. I do belong here; quarters at this height in the tower were for the Tollan ruling elite she smiled inwardly.

Entering her quarters, Travell was overcome with deafening rage as well as guilt and heartbreak. The flurry of emotions was overwhelming. One second she wanted to sob, while the next she wanted to break everything in site. In short, Travell came completely unhinged emotionally. This catastrophic break with reality obliterated the last shred of rational thought she was able to produce. In a fit of tears, Travell crumpled to the floor. Gasping for breath as she sobbed, her body was wracked with pain.

"This isn't what happens to people of my station" she screamed into the air.

Her tears continued unabated for many moments, before settling down. Instead of finding calm, all that was in Travell's reach was an icy, bone chilling cold. A coldness of heart, a coldness of thought, and a numb lack of afterthought was all she could muster. Raising herself from the cold floor, she looked toward the ornate stained glass windows that separated her from her balcony. The light shone though in beautiful patterns. Perhaps, the warmth of the sun on her face would change everything.

Stumbling towards the balcony, she barely registered the automated door sliding open once it sensed her nearing. Walking out onto the balcony, the sun warmed her face but nothing more. Finally, she realized her age, and the amount of emotional and physical trauma her body had experienced in the last few years. Her world destroyed, her standing among her people ruined, and even her honor taken from her.

"It would be so easy" she whispered in a voice that silently trailed off

Climbing the balcony railing, Travell looked towards the vibrant blue sky. Taking in the clouds, the sun, and the elegant cityscape around her, Travell smiled one last heartfelt smile. Shifting her weight almost imperceptibly, she fell from the balcony. Looking down as she fell from the one hundredth floor of her tower, she closed her eyes. With the smile still on her face she silently plummeted. Seconds later, it was over and she finally knew an end to her pain.

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