Chapter 214

P2X-416

Ten days ago, Earth had reached out with the world of P2X-416 to establish dialogue. This world, not visited since the early days of the Stargate Program, was one that several of the former members of SG-1 would rather forget altogether. Heavily forested, with towering peaks and mountain ranges, this world was home to a long-lived conflict. It was this conflict that the SGC's premiere off world team of the time had stumbled into.

On one side, you had the Bedrosian's. Militarily strong, technologically advanced beyond where Earth had been in the late twentieth century, and certain that their war and beliefs were just. On the other side were the Optrican's. Not as advanced as the Bedrosian's, the Optrican's fought for their belief that humankind had not been created by the Goa'uld named Nefurtum, but instead brought to this planet. That belief was sacrilegious to the Bedrosian government.

For two hundred years, this war had raged on. Locked in a never-ending stalemate, both sides believed that this war would never end. Bedrosian resolve to see an end to beliefs matching their fueled the war, while this Optrican's will to survive further angered their enemy. To bring an end to this conflict, a third party was needed. Nyam, a Bedrosian granted political asylum, after years of residence on Earth, convinced the United States government to be that third party.

It was Nyam and his colleague Mallin who had discovered his worlds long buried gate. Much to his surprise, the ring shaped device activated soon after. Finally unearthed, the SGC's cold dialing program made a connection to the address tried several times before. Sending through a MALP, those present in the control center were shocked to see humans in close attendance to the probe sent through. Shortly thereafter, SG-1 stepped through the gate on another mission of diplomacy and discovery.

Greatly unsettled, Mallin quickly fled the scene to report the developing situation to the Bedrosian military command. Nyam, his academic curiosity heightened, opted to remain behind and make first contact. Instead of the friendly welcome they had expected, SG-1 was soon face to face with elements of the Bedrosian military. Were it not for Nyam assisting Teal'c, the team might never have escaped to return to Earth. For that reason, Nyam was granted asylum from a world it would be far too dangerous for him to risk returning to.

Dispatched from Arkos, the American vessels Aeneas and Nimitz, and the Australian vessel Perth now sat in this solar system far from home. While Aeneas rested in close orbit of the planet, Nimitz and Perth sat in orbit of a large gas giant further from the systems sun. Given the result of the last Tauri interaction with this world, it was no surprise that such a large outlay of military force was present. In attendance with sh.i.p.s company aboard the Aeneas were both Nyam, and Under Secretary of State Simon Barnes.

During the then days between arrival and now, contact with the Optrican's had been established. Acting quickly, Under Secretary Barnes was soon invited to the Optrican capital for consultations. Once there, Barnes laid out a brief outline of galactic history. Listening to the visiting diplomat, his hosts learned that their long held beliefs were correct. Humanity had originated elsewhere, and finally made contact with their kinsmen. To say that the Optrican's were more than agreeable to any request Barnes might have would have been an understatement.

The Tauri request for a summit with the Optrican and Bedrosian governments did come as somewhat of a surprise. Surprise turned to shock when the Bedrosian government agreed to the request. Dispatching a senior member of their government, the Bedrosian's sent a familiar face as their delegate to this meeting of humanity from around the galaxy. Commander Rigar, now Minster of State Rigar, sat across from Barnes and Optrican Minister Fallon in the outdoor garden chosen as the meetings venue.

"Minister Rigar, Minister Fallon, I wish to thank you for agreeing to this summit on behalf of the United States government. My purpose here is multifaceted. First, I wish to make possible the return of the Bedrosian academic Nyam to his home world, without fearing repercussions. Second, my government wishes to see an end brought to the long-standing conflict between your two nations and peoples. Third, we wish to extend an invitation to join the newly formed diplomatic body of the United Worlds to your governments." Barnes began.

"On behalf of the Optrican people, we thank you for taking the time to make contact with our nation. It is our hope that these discussions will result in both a long and fruitful relationship between our two worlds." Minister Fallon replied.

"Let me be clear about my purpose here. I wished to see first hand this Optrican production play out. The Bedrosian government is well aware of the Optrican wish to force their heretical beliefs upon us. This drama is scripted to bring that about, but will not sway our resolve. The Book of Nefurtum states plainly the origins of life on this world." Minister Rigar argued.

"Minister Rigar, are you familiar with the term propaganda? The book you reference is just that. The one you credit for creation of life here was nothing more than a parasitical warlord, who relocated your ancestors here as slave labor." Barnes argued.

"Now you call us slaves?" Rigar demanded hotly.

"Under Secretary Barnes is not calling you a slave Minister Rigar." Fallon interjected.

"Minister Rigar, I am simply pointing out facts my world knows to be true. Your world is not alone in this history. Many worlds in this galaxy team with human civilizations and in a majority of cases, the Goa'uld relocated populations from Earth for the purposes I've already made clear." Barnes stated.

"Were they slave masters, where are they now them?" Rigar questioned.

"My people would also enjoy that answer being made clear." Fallon added.

"The simple answer to that is they have been removed from a position of power. Goa'uld System Lord domination of this galaxy came to an end due to the actions of the people of Earth. Far less powerful Goa'uld are still present in this galaxy, but the System Lords will not be returning to power again." Barnes replied resolutely.

"You expect my people to simply take your word for that? Again, this charade is nothing but talk, while the Book of Nefurtum is many generations old. Do you expect us to simply abandon the wisdom passed down through the ages?" Rigar asked sarcastically.

"I would ask that you approach this from a neutral standpoint Minister. What is more likely? The Optrican's secreted a twenty-nine ton device within your borders, matching no known example of their technology, and they traveled through this device to convince you of their beliefs through subterfuge. Or, human life exists elsewhere in this galaxy, and your beliefs while held dear to your people, are incorrect?" Barnes asked.

"Your people would resort to any tactic to force your beliefs upon us." Rigar argued.

"The Optrican government has no part in any deception. Our only hope is an end to this war." Fallon stated.

"By my people, do you mean the government of the United States?" Barnes asked.

"Enough with these lies! Producing the defector Nyam proves the Optrican's are behind the initial deception!" Rigar thundered.

"Minister Rigar, I must point out how incorrect those beliefs are. Earth was kind enough to give me safe harbor, knowing my life would be in danger should I return. The people there, though different, are an honorable people. Were it not for them and their efforts, this galaxy would either be under the rule of other powerful civilizations, or devoid of human life entirely." Nyam interjected.

"The utterances of a traitor and defector hold no weight with me." Rigar snarled.

"What do you ask in the way of proof Minister?" Barnes asked.

"I require nothing in the way of manufactured proof. My people need nothing more than that which the Book of Nefurtum provides. You test my patience with these lies. Would you still attempt to tell these lies if Bedrosian troops surrounded your capital?" Rigar asked threateningly.

"Minister, the last meeting of your world and my own was far from ideal. This is due in large part to your actions in particular. You took captive and tortured members of my nations military." Barnes stated.

"We will gladly do so again Optrican!" Rigar hissed.

"I grow tired of continually pointing out that I am not Optrican, nor am I of this world. The government of the United States takes offense at the treatment of our service members while in your custody, and takes further offense at your continued hostile action towards the democratically elected government of the Optrican people. We require you immediately cease your unwarranted war of aggression, and make reparations for the damage done to this nation and her people." Barnes demanded in polite tones.

"We bow to none of your demands." Rigar replied in refusal, with a smug look on his face.

"In that case, I must inform you my government has certain contingency plans should such a turn of events come to pass." Barnes replied.

"What? More inventive fictions to spew at us?" Rigar asked acidly.

"Far from it Minister. Democratic nations must stand together. The democratically elected government of the United States is prepared to protect the democratically elected government of the Optrican people. Should you decide to continue hostilities, the United States and allied governments of Earth will provide military hardware and military advisors to make possible the steadfast defense of the Optrican's." Barnes stated plainly.

"We've seen the best your military can muster. Bedrosia does not fear your military technology, or your military capabilities." Rigar spat.

"The team you captured was a lightly armed scout team. Nothing they carried conveyed the full technological prowess my world possesses." Barnes replied.

"Enough falsehoods. The Book of Nefurtum is clear." Rigar replied.

For the next two hours this tit for tat line of argument continued. Under Secretary Barnes soon began to suspect that Rigar was stalling for time. Repeated glances at his timepiece made this thought clearer and clearer to Simon.

"Minister Rigar, you continue to argue in circles. At this point, it seems as if you are stalling for time. Would that be the case Minister?" Barnes asked.

In reply, Rigar simply smiled, but gave no verbal reply.

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