Chapter 173

Videum

"Incoming subspace message sir." The communications technician announced.

"Put it on the screen but do not transmit a reply." Colonel Reynolds instructed.

On the holographic display screen that appeared before Reynolds and Lee, was the form of a large Jaffa. Based on the golden mark on his forehead, they both knew immediately that they were looking at the former First Prime of Zipacna.

"Lord Dumbledore, I am Rel'dar of the Jaffa. I know of the Sorcerers Stone you seek, and also of your enemy Voldemort who seeks this relic. In exchange for Ascension, the Jaffa assist you in finding down the rogue Hagrid. Let the warriors of the Jaffa fight alongside Harry, Weasly, and Hermione. Together, we can both defeat our enemies and assume our rightful place in this galaxy. After consideration of my proposal, I ask Lord Dumbledore that you contact me." Rel'dar stated formally.

For a moment, everyone standing in the control center just stared at the screen. Had they heard that correctly? Slowly, people began looking at one another with odd looks.

"Did an enemy of our world just send a subspace message to characters from a movie?" Reynolds asked incredulously.

"My kids love that movie. You know, my War Craft group and I have seen them all as a group!" Lee admitted.

Looking at Lee with a stare that was part amus.e.m.e.nt, part disbelief, and part surprise, Reynolds shook his head and simply walked away.

Obelisk Planet

Minerva; Roman goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, and magic. Often equated to the Greek goddess Athena, she was also the caregiver and inventor of music. She is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl, which symbolizes her ties to wisdom.

The Romans celebrated her festival from March 19th to March 23rd. On the beginning of the festival, wealthy and poor Roman alike, formed in procession led by flute players. Traveling up the Aventine hill, this procession made its way to the temple of Minerva, to make votive offerings. Throughout the middle time of the Roman Republic, the Aventine sanctuary of Minerva was an important center of the arts.

Following in the footsteps of the long destroyed Icarus base, Minerva base found her name routed deep in mythology. While Icarus base had been constructed for the purpose of unlocking the gate networks then only nine chevron address which would lead to Destiny, Minerva was constructed to serve as the base of support for Destiny's continuing mission. Built upon the Furling created planet, this base of operations would allow for both material and as needed military support on a scale only dreamed of during those first dark days aboard Destiny. Lessons learned from those days were being put into practice to ensure the successful conclusion of the mission began millions of years before.

Rising towards the heavens from the valley floor that surrounded it, lay the Furling obelisk. It was around this fixture that Minerva base was constructed. Under the base of the towering mountains ringing the valley, the newest Tauri base was placed. Stretching from the mountain range into the valley, were two runways meant for the assigned contingent of F-302 defense fighters. These two runaways emerged into the valley from the cavernous hanger, shielded by alloy doors composed of the same material vessels of the Asgard fleet were built of. In this hanger, sixty 302's would wait at the ready, to meet any threat that may visit itself upon Minerva.

Expanding out from the hanger area was the drone weapon storage and firing chamber. This chamber contained twenty five hundred of the lethal projectiles, matching the amount carried by the Athena class. Moving deeper into the complex was the power generation center. Instead of the more exotic Arcturus device, the lifeblood of Minerva flowed from a series of five zpm's operating in parallel. Powering not only the facility itself and her armaments, these zpm's would also bring to life the protective energy shield meant to shroud the valley and mountains under its defensive umbrella.

Travelling further under the highest peak of the range, one would find an eight story geodesic dome. Housed within this dome was a lush biosphere of planet life, along with a waterfall and creek. It was around this ecosystem within that the resident quarters were built. It was hoped that the addition of a calm and serene nature setting visible from the living quarters would prevent the debilitating stresses common to long term off world posting. Branching off from this manufactured paradise was the gate room, communications, operations center, and the other expected accoutrements of an off world base.

Soon after the arrival of the Tauri task force responsible for the construction of the new base, their presence came to the attention of a less than friendly race. Known as the Nakai, this race had made it the work of generations to capture Destiny. Having lost all trace of the ancient vessel, the Nakai had retraced her route since the known arrival of the humans. It was during this retracing that the activation of the super gate was detected. Coming face to face with the Athena class vessels patrolling near the super gate and obelisk planet, the Nakai flexed the full might of their external sensors.

The results of these scans greatly concerned the pursuers of Destiny. The shield strength detected, while of a vastly different nature than those of the ancient vessel they sought, was far more powerful. Bringing their weapons online, their newly arrived foes had matched the Nakai's move. Energy readings from the powered weapons systems had been enough to deter the Nakai for now. A solution on just how to deal with those that stood between them and Destiny had not been formulated yet, it was in the works as the highest priority