Chapter 145

Shambhala

On a mission handed down twenty four hours before from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Davis stood in the growing city of Shambhala. Standing beside Davis was a young First Lieutenant who had accompanied him on this task. As the two men waited before the gate in the receiving chamber of the city, they laughed quietly while they chatted. One thing the two agreed on was that this would be an interesting if not entertaining task that awaited them.

"You do understand what kind of a problem this guy was right" asked the Lieutenant.

"I remember all too well. A few times I wanted to shoot him myself. He'll be happy to see you I'm sure" replied Davis with a chuckle.

"Oh I bet sir. He and I go way back" sighed the Lieutenant.

"It's really creepy when you call me sir. Well, coming from you I mean" offered Davis.

Seconds later the stargate activated with a flourish. As the event horizon formed and transferred from unstable to a stable wormhole security protocols around the gate engaged. Any time a wormhole engaged without an IDC indentified by Gaia's sensors an interlocking field of barriers around, above, and below the gate was activated. This system alleviated the need for an iris, with the secondary side effect of allowing the unknown traveler a chance at life that an iris would have denied them on reaching their destination.

Stepping through the active wormhole were two men with heralds trumpets in their hands. Walking forward exactly five feet before turning to face one another, the two men raised their trumpets. Those in close proximity to the gate turned and looked as the trumpets rang out a two note heralding.

"King Arkhan arrives" said the two men in unison before dropping to a single knee.

Stepping through the energy vortex was a man of average height, with a closely cropped beard and a massive smile on his face. Touching his two subjects on their shoulders as he passed, the King Arkhan who was once known on Earth as Colonel Harry Maybourne looked towards the two men looking at him in the distance. He and his entourage approached as the protective energy barrier deactivated.

"Colonel Maybourne, welcome to Shambhala" began Davis in greeting.

"They finally promoted you I see. Took them long enough but that's Washington for you. This all is new" said Maybourne waving his hands at his surroundings.

"Much has changed in the time you've been gone Colonel. Your presence here was requested to discuss a few matters" replied Davis.

"I don't believe we've met. I'm Colonel Maybourne, former commanding officer of the NID. I see your nametag says O'Neill Lieutenant. That's a big name to live up to in this command. Hope you're up to it" stated Maybourne.

"Heya Harry. It's been a long time, but not as long as I would have liked" replied the Lieutenant.

"Have we met" asked Harry.

"In a matter of speaking Harry. I'm Lieutenant Jonathan O'Neill, but you used to call me Jack" replied Lieutenant O'Neill.

"The long and short of it is that the Lieutenant is General O'Neill's clone. You missed that little situation during your time away" added Davis.

"Two Jack's? Isn't that interesting" Harry mused.

"Maybourne, I swear to God if you start with me it's not going to be fun" scowled Lt. O'Neill.

'Relax Jack. Just having a laugh is all" offered Harry.

"If you can follow me Colonel, we need to speak with you in private. Please, follow me" requested Davis.

Leaving the two heralds in the care of city staff, Maybourne and the two officers quickly made their way to a transporter to begin their journey across the city. Exiting the transporter on the other side of the city, the three men entered a private series of offices. Stepping through the automated door, the men quickly took their seats in the as yet office of the city's military liaison. On the wall mounted data screen a series of images of a modern city much like one that might have been found on Earth were displayed.

"What's all this about" inquired Harry.

"We've got a bit of a request for you Harry" replied Lt. O'Neill.

"These images were taken on BP6-3Q1" began Davis.

"I know this address! Svoriin I believe was the planet's name" interjected Harry.

"I thought you might remember it" sneered Lt. O'Neill.

"What do you mean by that Jack" asked Harry innocently.

"Don't even try it! I know that you are very aware that this is the planet with the contagious super mosquito that bit Teal'c that you wanted to weaponize" spat the Lieutenant.

"At the hands of our off world allies, this world is now free of this insect. Sadly, the indigenous population was wiped out to the last man by this plague. They left behind a world of infrastructure in the form of this city and three others around it. All told, these cities can house and support a population numbering in the millions. This planet also has the benefit of being a named body in the Protected Planets Treaty, which is how it originally came to be populated with the assistance of the Asgard" stated Davis.

"I'm not seeing what this has to do with me" countered Maybourne.

"We're getting to that part Harry, be patient" muttered Lt. O'Neill.

"After the fall of the System Lords, the human populations of former Goa'uld controlled worlds fell under the purview of the Free Jaffa Nation" began Davis.

"So the Goa'uld are gone are they" interrupted Harry.

"That they are. The Free Jaffa Nation has devolved into a set of warring states, and is currently engaged in a rather brutal civil war for control of their domain. In exchange for material support for the Progressive faction of the Jaffa and their war effort, they have agreed to turn over their human populations along with a number of planets. You are the one asset we have that has enjoyed a high level of success in interacting with off world human populations for long durations. You've had your vacation, but as a serving officer of the United States Air Force it's time to get back to work" explained Davis.

"One little problem gentlemen; I'm still technically a fugitive and wanted for Treason. The Air Force typically doesn't entrust special missions to people like that" countered Maybourne.

"That's been taken care of. By order of the President, you have been cleared of all charges and reinstated at your former rank. You are too assume command of Svoriin and the population as it is transported to the planet. You are further authorized to bring with you the people you currently rule over on your planet. Unfortunately, you will have to lay down your current mantle as King and settle for Colonel" explained Davis.

"How many people are we talking about here" asked Maybourne.

"Millions" replied Davis.