Day 14
"Lord Commander, you wanted to talk to me." Griphook walked into the strange observation tunnel that ran along the bottom half of one of the pylons.
Turning away from the cry-steel tunnel wall where he was gazing down at Lantea far below them, Harry replied. "Griphook for this meeting it's just Harry, out there it has to be Lord Commander, but in here for this meeting it is your old business partner Harry."
Joining Harry with leaning against the tunnel wall Griphook slyly replied. "So I did interpret the look you gave me the other day correctly."
Harry just smirked as he reached over and took the offered data pad from the laughing Griphook's hands.
Activating the screen he skimmed through the outline of the report and really paid attention to the proposal at the end.
Smiling Harry shut off the data pad. "We have made a lot of money over the years you and I."
"That is true, some of the ideas you have come up with have made me want to question your sanity, but everyone of them made a small fortune." Griphook replied lost in thoughts.
Conjuring up a table and two chairs between them Harry sat down and invited Griphook to do that same.
Placing the data pad in the center of the table and giving it a tap with his finger "I have in shifted space three cruise ships and seven merchant vessels of differing designs."
"Seeing the questioning look on Griphook's face Harry explained. "While I was learning what the city and Aloria could really do, we practiced by building several different merchant class vessels to carry animate and inanimate cargo. We also played around with several different designs for different pleasure vessels, more of a cruise ship than anything else."
"So we now have the core of our mini merchant fleet. And we can set up a construction yard around a small red dwarf system to build the rest of the fleet." Harry explained as he passed over a data pad of his own that had the ships specifications he had mentioned on it.
Taking the data pad Griphook studied Harry for a moment before saying. "You are unusually prepared for this venture."
Sighing Harry stared out the Crys-steel walls. "When I built those ships several years ago, it was a good way to get experience using the Astromech's and remotes ship building and repair features. I kept them simply for the reason that they were made up of my ideas, ideas that I brought to life."
"So when they were finished and proven to work as I envisioned, they were powered down and beacons placed on them and I placed them in shifted space." Harry laughed at his thoughts. "Most people keep a picture or other memento of their accomplishments, I kept the whole ships."
"Are these ships designed to be run by Alteran's with control interfaces?" displaying the outside views of the ships Griphook asked.
"Looking away from the view of Lantea Harry shook his head. "No those ships are designed to be crewed by non-Alteran's. Though any Alteran can access the ships mainframe and controls if needed by the link pads all throughout the ships. I designed that as a safety feature, just in case."
Seeing Griphook comparing the three cruise ships Harry told him. "The smallest one would be the easiest on to staff as a single species pleasure vessel, for those that are xenophobic. They can still experience the wonders of the galaxy, yet kept separate from those that irrationally terrify them."
Making some calculations in his head Griphook told Harry. "Three months for the cruise ships to be fully manned and ready to go, a month for the merchant ships."
"How fast do you want to expand?" Griphook asked as he made notations in his data pad.
Harry thought about it for a moment before answering. "The cruise ships, as long as we keep them at ninety percent capacity, one every six months. The merchant ships one or two a month until we level out."
Waiting until Griphook had finished his note taking Harry stood up. "Just so you know, I plan to make money with this, just like every other project we have undertaken, but I am taking the long view with this one."
Returning the table and chairs back to their component air molecules after Griphook jumped off his chair Harry finished. "Some time in the future my children may or may not replace me as the Lord Commander, I intend to make sure there are enough businesses to run to keep the rest busy."
XXXX
With an hour before he had to make his way to the chambers set aside for the Alliance to meet, Harry walked into Jacks office and scanned the room to see where he was hiding this time.
Smiling at the memory of the last time Harry had stopped by, and Jack half in half out of the ventilation duct as he tried to retrieve what Jack said was a run away remote.
Harry on the other hand thought Jack was trying to fit into the shaft to make sure no one could come through that way if an invader ever did manage to get more than a few meters into the city.
Not seeing him Harry called out. "Jack are you in here?"
"Looking for me?" Jacks voice came from above his head.
Harry just stood there for a second trying to come up with any explanation that would account for Jacks voice to be coming from above him.
Not coming up with any type of answer Harry slowly turned his head and looked up. Seeing Jack's head and part of his torso leaning out from the wall Harry willed himself to float up so he would be face to face with Jack.
Once Harry was level with Jack's face, Jack reached out and pulled him into the hidden office.
Glancing around the office Harry commented as he pointed to the floor. "Jack don't you have a perfectly good office down there."
Seeing the gleeful expression on Jack's face, the same type of expression the twins got when they were about to explain their latest and greatest prank, Harry groaned and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"I knew it was a mistake to introduce those two to you." Harry told him with a sigh.
They have some of the most interesting ideas." Jack told him as he walked over to stand in front of Harry with a gleam in his eyes.
"Do I really want to know what the three of you have come up with?" Harry asked half amused, the other half in dread.
"A simple game." Jack said as he leaned back against his desk. "What better way to hone ones skills than a game of capture the flag."
Harry groaned as he sat back in his chair. "How much of my city are you planning on blowing up?"
Shaking his head vigorously Jack told him. "None of it, I know exactly what Aloria would do to me if I did something so foolish."
Waving his hand around the recreation of Jack's office Harry asked. "And this? What's up with a hidden duplicate of you office?"
"You can't capture what you can't find, now can you?" Jack smirked. "I can monitor the whole exercise from this room, none the wiser to where I am. It is my own secret hidey hole."
Frowning in thought Harry stared at Jack a moment before making the decision to let him in on one of the biggest secrets he had left. "Speaking of hidey holes."
Harry waved his hand in a circle around the two of them, a shining red glow flew from his hands and encircled the two encasing them in a bubble that no one could eavesdrop through.
"Your not the only one to have a secret hiding place." Harry told him as he conjured an image of one of the most unique system ever to grace existence.
Floating between the two was the representation of a planetary system that had four planets sharing the same orbit equidistant to each other.
Four planets that shared the blue green picture of life as they circled their sun in some far off galaxy.
'Holy mother of." Jack muttered as he stared in awe of the image. "Are they?"
"Are they life bearing, is that what you mean?" Harry asked the awestruck young man.
Answering Jacks wordless nod of the head Harry told him. "Yes they are. If something would ever happen to where we would need to run, that system is where we would go."
"Three years ago Aloria dispatched several Astromech's and remotes to a remote hidden system near the end of Argo Galaxy. That system." Harry said as he pointed to the image.
"There are weapons systems there that make what we have here look like children's building blocks." Harry said proudly.
"The ancients never made any inroads into the Argo Galaxy, in fact it is so far away only Toria Ai Shas has the ability to shift there in two dimensional jumps, most of our ships would need to shift four or five times to ever closer anchors before they would finally be able to get in system." Harry said as he dispelled the illusion.
"Why tell me about this now?" Jack asked still seeing the image of that system in his mind.
"If something were to happen that we would need to evacuate in a hurry, only four people could give the order to Aloria to take control of all the dimensional drives and program in a series of shifts to take our people to safety." Harry informed him.
"I have yet to tell the other two." Harry shrugged and thought he should do it soon.
Jack could not keep the surprise off his face as he realized that the only reason Harry would be sharing this with him is if he was one of those four.
"Who.Who are the other two?" Jack stuttered.
"Bryce and Cadfael." Harry said softly. "This secret.This order is one only family can give to Aloria, and only when a least resort needs to be taken."
"I knew you had secrets, but I never imagined something like this." Jack said in wonder.
Harry laughed and said. "This it just the tip of the iceberg concerning my secrets."
XXXX
Harry and Jack wandered into the meeting room set aside for the Alliance meeting that would start in a few minutes. Looking the room over as Jack split off from Harry and went to his chair he noticed that the ruling bodies of the other three great races were already there.
Stepping down into the middle of what from above would be the center of a pentangle Harry bowed his head slightly as he greeted everyone. "Greetings, as you can see from the change of the furniture, the first order of our meeting shall be the petition for the inclusion into the Alliance of the People from the planet Earth."
Stepping back towards the empty section of the table Harry asked the traditional question. "Will some one speak in favor of the petition?"
In a surprising move both Thor of the Asgard and Anteaus of the Nox stood up.
Harry was very pleased by the Nox's move to speak in favor of those from Earth joining the Alliance. Stepping forward he noticed that Bane Breaker also was in the process of standing up.
Curious, Harry walked a few steps towards the Furling elders and cocked his head to one side wondering what he would say without giving away that they had recently relocated from Earth..
"While we do not know those from the Stargate program as those of the Nox and Asgard, we would still speak in favor of allowing the planet Earth to join the Alliance. What dealing we have had with them have been most honorable and profitable." Bane Breaker told them.
Nodding his head in acknowledgement Harry faced the others and asked. "As has been done in ages past I now must ask if anyone wished to speak against the petition?"
Scanning the seated members Harry gave them several moments for any that wanted to speak against Earth to stand up and do so.
Seeing that no one was willing to speak against the petition for membership Harry spoke once more. "Then the petition has been approved. Full membership in the Alliance shall be offered to those from Earth upon the successful completion of their first colony."
"Which if I have read Governor O'Neill correctly, I would expect the requirements to have been met before they join us shortly." Harry said as he once again made his way to the center of the pentangle.
"With that out of the way I would like to bring a most disquieting discovery to the attention of the Alliance." Harry told them, watching their faces closely as he the news he brought was released to their terminals for them to read.
"As you can see from the report in front of you the plague that nearly wiped out the Alteran, Furling and Nox was not natural in origin. On top of that, Tylene and the Furling home world were destroyed by supernovas that once again was not of natural causes." Harry explained.
Frowning he told them. "I am not sure if it is coincidence or not, but I am not willing to take the chance with the lives of those who look to me to lead them."
It was very quiet as the elders and leaders of the other races of the Alliance read through the report that Aloria had compiled for them.
"How accurate is the is the information that you base your conclusion on?" Bane Breaker asked.
"The facts are as tight as we can make them, our conclusions on the other hand could be totally wrong." Harry shrugged.
"Even if you are incorrect with your assumptions, the information alone is disquieting." Thor spoke up.
"We are increasing our numbers at a rapid pace with the new cloned bodies, we have been downloading the stored consciousness of our people by the thousands." Thor Stated before continuing. "It is in our best interest to provide recruits for the proposed Alliance security force. A preventative measure hopefully."
Anteaus looked over to Opher and Lya very distraught by the news. "We are a peaceful people, after so many centuries of peace we do not believe we could harm another, even to protect ourselves. We have always relied on our superior knowledge and the small abilities we have to manipulate that matter around ourselves for protection."
"Even though we are a peaceful people, I do not wish my people to die out because we are attacked by those that destroy whole system to kill their target." Anteaus looked over to the other elders.
"I propose that we provide support and service personnel to the Alliance security force contemplated here. This way our race will not die out if this danger is real. I also propose that we do not accept the genetic repository at this time and that it should remain in the hidden location it currently occupies." Anteaus fidgeted as he proposed to his fellow leaders what was as close as they could get to being proactive in the defense of their race.
"This would lead our people to a point that most would not be comfortable with." Opher replied.
Being one of the youngest, Lya saw the need to take action to protect their people and told them so. "Better that we are uncomfortable than extinct." Lya fired back.
Whispering broke our among the other elder council members, sometimes somewhat heatedly until Lya could not stand it any more.
Slamming her hand down on the table Lya raised her voice slightly as she pitched it lower. "Enough.We will honor our commitments to the Alliance as we did in ages past. Volunteers will be asked for and each will choose in what capacity they most feel comfortable in serving. It is not our way to dictate to others, even if they are our own people."
The others stared at Lya in shock and said nothing as she spoke once again ending any further possible outbursts.
"Lord Commander the Nox will of course honor the old Alliance and volunteers will join the Security forces in the capacity they are most comfortable with. Most likely this will be as healers and technicians. As you honor the old ways by providing us with protections and services that will keep us safe, so too will we provide the manpower to help ourselves and the others of the Alliance." Lya said from her now standing position.
Turning back to the others she said. "None may gainsay this, as it is the very basis of our beliefs and the reason we can be pacifists."
"We are in agreement then." Anteaus asked. "Those who wish to volunteer shall do so, those who do not will be held with no ill will."
"That is our way." Opher sighed the reply.
Boy she can be down right scary for a pacifist Harry thought.
'Harry, Kevin wants me to pass along a message that the party from Earth is starting to come through' Aloria sent through their link.
Sending back his thanks Harry caught Remus's eye and tapped his wrist.
Turning back to face the Nox elders, "Automatic weapons platforms shall be dispatched by the end of the meeting today to take up station around the Nox system."
"The Earth delegation is arriving and shall be joining us in a few moments, is there any further points to be brought up before we start the meeting?" Harry asked, not really expecting anyone to bring anything up.
When no one spoke, Harry turned and faced the doors so he would be able to greet the leaders of the Earth as they walked in.
Hearing voices in the corridor that grew louder as they approached the door Harry willed the lights to dim and the Holo transceivers to start broadcasting Alliance wide. He hoped he remembered enough of the opening ceremonies that he would not make a spectacle of himself.
Seeing Remus escorting in nine when he was expecting eight, Harry conjured an extra chair at the table before he started.
Now that Remus had escorted the Earth delegates into the room and motioned for them to stand before the table Harry walked into the center of the circle of light.
"Ambassador Remus Lupin, son of Raymond, son of Delilah, who do you bring before this Alliance council of Great Races?" Harry started with the age old ceremony with the first question from the archives.
"As in times past I bring before the Alliance representatives from the planet Earth, of the galaxy known to them as the Milky Way." Remus stated from the shadows.
"These representatives come before the Alliance seeking full membership among us. They have fulfilled the requirements needed to be considered and stand firm by their word and their commitment to the Alliance." Remus's voice came from Behind the Furlings as he circled the room.
Daniel stood behind Jack in awe as he watched the glowing representations of the periodic table float above their heads. Glad Jack O'Neill had relented and allowed him to come along to witness a once in a lifetime event Daniel wondered what elements were being represented above them.
"Who speaks for the petitioner?" Harry asked as his voice carried through out the Alliance along with the Holo.
"I do." Thor said as a circle of light appeared in front of the Asgard table.
Stepping into it Thor Finished what he started. "I, Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet and second of the Asgard high Council speak in favor of those known as the Tau'ri."
Daniel watched in awe as Thor stepped into the circle of light and one of the elements floating above moved over and hovered above his head. Staring intently at the floating electrons and neutrons Daniel made a startling discovery.
They were not electrons following the orbit of the nucleus, but planets circling a primary. Scanning around quickly Daniel saw that instead of elements of the periodic table as he first assumed, the floating Holograms were planetary systems.
Daniel tore his gaze away from the fantastic sight as another voice picked up on the tail end of Thor's.
Stepping into the circle of light that appeared in front of the Nox table Anteaus stated clearly. "I Anteaus eldest of the Nox Elders speak in favor of the Tau'ri."
"That sometimes the very young do not always do what they are told. That is what I told SG-1 after our first meeting. I had told my son this very same thing in the past, as he like SG-1 and the Tau'ri had reached that point in their lives where they were poised to step into adult hood." Anteaus smiled at the memory and O'Neills grimace.
"It is the duty of the old to guide the young, it is the duty of the young to remind those that are old that passion is still alive and that they do not always know everything." Anteaus finished.
A circle of light appreared in front of the Furling table and Granthron slowly made his way to the center of it.
"I Granthorn, keeper of the ancient knowledge and the oldest of my kind speak in favor of those from Earth." Granthorn said as he stood in the center of the circle staring at those from Earth.
"While we have not known those from Earth in the same way as the Nox or Asgard we recognize a kindred spirit." Granthorn told everyone. "They have dealt with honor in our dealings, and for that we recognize them at this time."
"We look to those that lead and ask that those from Earth be accepted as the Fifth Race." All three said at the same time.
So far everything had gone exactly how the archives showed the Asgard acceptance into the Alliance as the third race with only a couple of small deviations. But now, now from this point on it would deviate greatly from what had happened in the past.
Motioning with his hand at the circle that appeared in front of the table those from Earth stood behind, Harry asked. "Though your world is divided and ruled by many, today.for this moment.who shall speak for you?"
Remus who had started on his second walk around the outskirts of the room stopped when the bright circle appeared in front of the Tau'ri table. This was not how tradition stated that things were to be done.
Briefed before hand on what would be happening and even being allowed ot see Holo recordings of the proceding where the Nox gained full membership into the Alliance, never the less the leaders from Earth stared back and forth between themselves in an uncomfortable silence as the ceremony crossed into unfamiliar teritory.
After several quick whispers where the American President was elected to speak for them, he walked around the table and stopped right before entering the circle, half in half out of the shadow. "This is one of those historic moments that will be passed down to future generations until it becomes lost as more myth thatn truth."
"I step aside for the one man who made all this possible. Don't get me wrong I am elected leader for my people, but this one man made this moment possible, and as such he deserves to speak at this moment in my name." The President told them before calling out. "Jack, Governor Jack O'Neill please sterp into the circle."
Cussing under his breath about grandstanding politicians O'Neill walked around the table stopping next to his President. "Are you sure about this Mr. President?"
Clasping the mans shoulder he replied. "Yes Jack I trust you, you lead us this far."
Stepping into the circle O'Neill was surprised that instead of being blinded by the brightness he could see clearly.
Stepping outside the circle of light in the centere Harry started to move around its edge. "This is a great responsibility you are about to bind yourselves too, do you come to this freely and willing to embrace the positives along with the negatives?"
Glancing over his shoulder to the smiling Presidents behind him O'Neill cleared his throat and simply said. "Yes."
"These procedings are being broadcast throughout the entire Alliance.Including to the Earth." Harry said as his crown started to glow with a life of its own.
"It is my duty and pleasure to welcome those from Earth as the fifth race, as in times past, those who stood in my poition as the lead of the Alliance did so for those races you see here today." Harry told them as he started to glow.
"Tradition can be a wonderous thing, it reminds us of our beginnings and re-afirms who we are. But like most traditions the origin, the reason is lost through time.
At this point the leader of the Alteran's would step out of the circle and move back to the one that would appear before his people and he would point at the circle in the center and remind those that witness this event of the fact that this place was reserved for the one who would one day come." Harry had moved into the darkness and only by his voice could one tell he was still here.
"In the millenia that has gone by, the reason for this has been forgotten." Harry's voice told them as a glowing crown moved about the center of the room.
"In the fourth age of the Alteran race.In a time of the great plague.Our people went in two directions.
The leader of the Alteran's at that time called those whose duty was to lead together, and in the darkness of the council chambers as each leader stepped into the circle of light affirming their station and duty to lead he did the unthinkable.
He stepped outside his station and reminded those that watched that one day our people would be re-united, and until that day this place would remain empty.Empty and waiting for the one who would one day return and re-unite our great race once again.
Each year on the aniversery of the day our people split into two the council would meet and the one chosen to lead in his absence would remind them of their shame.
They would finish by stating that this place was reserved for the one who would one day return and harald in the new age.
Over time the reason faded as did the shame, and a new tradition was born. One that carried over when the Alliance was formed." Harry had everyones undivided attention now.
"But Today.Today that changes." Harry said as he stood there in the darkness glowing, and the crown on his head shining as bright as the sun.
Walking slowly towards the bright circle Harry's voice echoed with power, washing over everyone present. "Today the one this place was reserved for has come."
On his last word Harry stepped into the circle and an explosion of light and energy ripped out from his center, touching all those present and spreading rapidly outward from Toria Ai Shas.
Scott lent me his mind to edit this chapter