Stargate

Revealing the Truth

The IOA Committee gayjered for what would likely be the last time as a clandestine operation. The leaders of the 7 countries cooperating so far had gathered for one of the few meetings if the leaders.

"Welcome everyone, we know why we are here. General O'Neill of Homeworld Command and Stargate Operations will be issuing the report before we initiate the vote." President Storm said as General O'Neill stood up and approached the podium.

"Thank you President Storm, and it is my honor to report the statis of our programs. As most of you know we have made great strides in our research recently. I must report we have unlocked Atlantis' manufacturong facilities, and as a result will have 30 ZPMs available for use on Earth. We have also unlocked the entire Lantean Database, and have access to all the research files and designs." General O'Neill reported to them.

The world leaders were shocked because before now, ZPMs were sonscarce they had never had access to more than 2 or 3 of them. Now they had 30 of them that they would be able to place throughout what they needed to power.

"How quickly could the technology be created so we can make make more of them once we mine more materials?" President Hayes asked.

"The information is being transmitted to Homeworld Command as we speak, and from there we can disseminate it to the interesred parties. We are using the machinery inside Atlantis to create the machines here for ZPM production, however more research will be needed before we can replicate the drone manufacturing facilities." O'Neill replied knowing the details.

"How long before the first manufacturing is available?" President Emanuel Jakson of France asked.

"The machinery will be completed within a few weeks, however it will take a few months before they are operational to make more." he replied.

The leaders nodded knowing this had been the pinnacle of what they hoped to achieve. "If one wanted to make a city chip per say, how long would it take?" Brithish Prime Minsiter Francis Mahoney asked from her seat.

"We could have the files necessary to you within a week, however a City Ship such as Atlantis I could not even begin to determine how lomg construction would be. As I understand the timeframe, it took the Alterrans 22 years to build Atlantis." General O'Neill replied remembering what Rodney had said. "It is for reasons like that however I believe it would be prudent to declassify and reveal the Stargate Program.

"With the level of knowledge we now posses, and the rate at which we will be able to progress as a world will make it prudent. More Nations are gaining the ability to track what is entering orbit, and it will be only a matter of time before our ships are detected. Atlantis will have to depart soon, and because of its size it is not likely to be missed." O'Neill finished.

"Thank you General, are there any more questions or issues that we must discuss before we issue the vote?" President Storm asked.

"I have one for General O'Neill, as one of the few who has been part of the program since near the time of its inception. What would be your ideal way of running the Programs until such time as we vegin exploring the Universe ourselves?" President Hayes asked.

"Mr. President, this is an issue I have consodered long and hard. Over the years we have faced many threats, and have faced obstacles from each way the Stargate Program has been run. If I had to select what the best approach would be, it would by necessity be a complicated answer. For the political discussions of the Galaxy, a council of governing leaders would need to be formed. They would be responsible for representing us to the other governments, and guiding us generally into the future. Tjey would answer to the General Assembly, who would have a say so long as the operation was not critical to security.

"I would establish several branches, Homeworld security responsible for defending Earth from all galactic threats. An Expeditionary Force to go outside of our Galaxy, and protect us from threats eminating outside of our galaxy. An Exploration Force responsible for traveling through the stargate looking for other civilizations that we can make peaceful contact with. An Intelligence and Defense force to protect our assets and interests inside of the Milky Way Galaxy.

"Because we are not controlled or ruled by one government, my recommendation would be to recruit individuals from the seperate Nations military's. They would become part of the Tau'ri Defense Force, amd represent the people of Earth accordingly. I would allow them the operational latitude they need to ensure our safety, no matter the costs. But have the command answerable to the international community that those who join our coalition." Jack said as several of the world leaders nodded.

"Thank you General, your insight is enlightening. What would you say to a General who perceived a threat and violated orders?" Chinese President Ling asked.

"It would depend on the results of the violation. As I have technically saved the world by violating nearly every order given to me, I may be a little biased however." Jack replied to him making them all a little more curious. President Hayes however laughed to the reference of when O'Neill, Carter and Jackson all wemt through the stargate when it was shut down.

"Who would be responsible for training this force?" Britains Prime Minister asked.

"We already retrain all personnel that serve with the SGC and Homeworld Command." O'Neill replied. "Because of our advanced tech it is required." he explained.

"Very well, we all know what we are voting for. All those in favor?" President Storm asked the 7 of them.

President Hayes was the only one who did not raise his hand, and the motion to reveal the Stargate Program passed.

"Very well, how shall we proceed?" Carl Storm asked them.

"I suggest a reveal of Atlantis to the UN Assembly at a special conference in San Francisco." General O'Neill suggested as the city was close enough to be seen if decloaked. "A tour of Atlantis afterward with a final reveal in New York." he suggested.

"It seems you have given this some thought General. How long would you need to prepare?" President Hayes asked him.

"I can be ready on 3 days sir." O'Neill replied confidently.

"Very well, we will schedule the UN Leaders Summit for 3 days." President Limg said for them all.

3 days later General O'Neill walked into the Donworth Event Center, and was impressed that 160 of the Nations Leaders had all gathered here. The 7 had promised it would be an event they would always remember. They sat there with a clear view of the bay and Ocean, what he had been countimg on when theybselected this location. He walked up to the podium, and it was clear theybwere not used to this type of gathering.

"Welcome one and all, as we announce this momentous occasion. I am Lt. General Jack O'Neill of the United States Air Force, and more specifically I am the commanding officer of Homeworld Command governed by the International Oversight Advisory. For the past 13 years I have been a member if a clandestine operation called the Stargate Program.

"The knowledge behind this is immense, but a Stargate is a piece of advanced technology made by a race called the Alterrans. It allows for the near instantaneous travel between our world, and thousands of others that are inhabited by numerous races. Some of them we are allies with, and over the years we have confronted those that would harm our ways of life. As we have explored this galaxy and others, we have gained knowledge, insight and experience with these alien technologies.

"For the last 8 years we have operated under the oversight of Nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, India, Britain and France, and have steadily progressed technologically. 7 years ago we discovered the Alterran City Ship Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy, and have since returned it to Earth for a short time. 2 years ago we faced an extreme threat and its services were required to ensure we remained safe as a planet." General O'Neill paused allowing the translators to catch up. "Without further ado, I oresent to you the lost city of Atlantis. After the guided tours we will transport you to the General Assembly of the UN, where we will finish revealing the extent of the programs with you. Please ask your tour guides any questions, each of them has extensive knowledge of the program. After we finish our presentation, we will be releasing the entire database of technologies we have acquired through our alliances over the last 13 years. We also invite each of the Nations of Earth to join our newest venture as we join together as one planet to exore the galaxy amd wider universe." O'Neill finished as the world leaders began clamoring as he grabbed a radio.

"General Shepherd, decloak the city please." he said and the shocked gasp of most of them as the city decloaked just off the coast.

"City has been decloaked sir, Jumpers are en route to transport the delegation to Atlantis for their tours." Shepherd replied quickly as the world leaders ran to the courtyard to get a better look.

The delegates looked amazed as the city materialized from what seemed like thin air. The murmurs began as the first of the puddle jumpers came in and landed in front of them and lowered its loading ramp.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I assure you that these are safe. After the scheduled tours we will transport you to New York for the final portion of the conference we have scheduled." General O'Neill said loudly. "If you will please board the Puddle Jumpers, we will travel to Atlantis where we will continue."

6 hours later General O'Neill and an entire team of SGC personnel had gone to the UN Assembly building, and he saw all of the reporters hust waiting to spring into action.

He watched as President Hayes made his way to the podium from the audience.

"Welcome this evening to the public press conference of this presentation. We will not be taking any questions tonight, as we have much to cover." President Hayes began.

"The news networks have been invited, as the public has every right to know what is happening as well. Earlier today a city was seen materializing in the bay just off of San Francisco Harbor, and many of you have your own theories. I am Happy to announce it is not an invasion of Aliens as has been suggested. The city has been under the command of an International Coalition dubbed the Stargate Program. The city has been rightfully suspected of being of Alien Origin, as it was indeed built by a race called the Alterrans. It is also capable of interstellar travel, amd will soon be deaprting our fair planet once again.

"Long have the people of Earth searched fkr the city of Atlantis, believed to be at the bottom of the oceans. It was indeed found sunk at the bottom of an ocean, it just happened to be on a planet inside the Pegasus Galaxy. 7 years ago a team departed through the Stargate, and found the city of Alterrans we refer to as the Ancients. Due to a threat inside the galaxy where Atlantis was discovered, it was needed here to defend our way of life.

"After all the time we have researched the city, we have finally discovered the key to its secrets. As such the technology at our disposal has made it necessary for us to finally reveal the program to all of you. As such, we invite all the Nations of our planet to join us as we continue to explore the galaxy with the technology now available to us.

"As good as this body is, it has been decided that the program cannot become mired in the politics that freezes this body. As such it has been decided that any Nation that wishes to support this program with Military Force, those forces must be turned over to the Coalition. The Governing body will take input from member nations, but will operate independently of any single Nation. It will be formed of those who have become experts in their fields, and they shall answer only to the Governing Council. They will operate with impunity, so that they may be able to defend us against any threat that we may face. To detail the technology we have acquired I present Lt. General Jack O'Neill, Commanding Officer of the current Homeworld Command." President Hayes finished as there was a round of polite applause.

"Thank you Mr. President, it is my honor to be here tonight. 13 years ago I began in this program as a clandestine operation struggling to keep up with the level of technology we faced. Over the years we have advanced, sometimes faster than we should have. More times than I care to recall we have face annihilation because of thise that would suppress, e*****e, or destroy us. We have managed to develop our own technology, and many of you are now familiar with the puddle jumpers we discovered in Atlantis. However the first progression of our own making will be displayed now." He said activating a hologram. "Cameramen that are outside, you maybwish to turn on your cameras and watch the skies.

"The first human designed and made fighter that is used to protect us is known as the X302. It is a multi platform fighter jet capable of atmospheric and space flight. It carries a payload of 12 missiles and can be used for ground targeting, carrier protection, or space battles." he said as a hologram projected the ship that was flying outside of the building.

"After it was determined we would need interstellar shipsntondefend us as well, we developed a ship capable of meeting that role. This design is of the X304, that is currently being redesigned again to include advances in technology gained from the Alterrans. This one is capable of speeds 60 million times faster than light, and is equipped with technology from a previous ally known as the Asgard. It is capable of intergalactic travel, and for the moment is the back bone of our space operations." General O'Neill told them as it entered the atmosphere and establishes a station above the building. The news feeds playing live from outside were showing the X304 as he spoke.

"As we have again advanced in technology, they will be redesigned for more specific roles. The X305 will be an interstellar vessel used for defending Earth and our interests inside the Milky Way Galaxy. The X306 will be used for intergalactic operations and to support Atlantis while deployed on its expedition. With what we have access to, and already developed, I assure the people of Earth we are far better protected than ks known. Our ships and this technology will not be used to suppress the people of Earth, and will allow you to know that there is no need for continued violence. Many of the peoples of the Galaxy can trace their lineage to Earth from various times of our past. There are many planets in this galaxy that we can find peace with those that have the same beliefs as we do.

"As President Hayes has said, we invite the Nations of Earth to join us as we journey intl the advances of the future. Let us have peace and unity so we may face the challenges of the Universe as one unified people!" General O'Neill exclaimed before taking a step back from the micropone before taking his seat.

President Storm approached the microphone, and looked out over the crowd. "Good evening, I am President Carl Storm of the International Oversight Advisory that has operated the Stargate Program for the last 9 years. As we speak we are delivering the files of our Orginization to each of the Sovereign Nations of Earth. This includes the technology we have discovered, with all the details we have learned to manufacture and recreate all of it. The details are also being made available to all educational institutions that request it, as we have always believed that all of the peoples of Earth should benefit from what we have learned and gained. We sincerely hope you will join us as we move to secure our world from threats that before today were unimaginable. We will be holding conferemces and briefings for the people of Earth that will detail our current operations. We wish for everyone to remember that the threats in the reports from our previous missions were or are real, but that we have always overcome tje challenges posed to us. In the meantime we welcome you to review the materials we have sent, and we will be creating a division to handle requests for information." he said holding up his hands in farewell.

The explosion of questions from almost everyone in the Assembly hall was enormous, and the clamour made it almost impossible to hear anything. Just as it seemed the crowd would get out of control, the Phoenix beamed up the delegates for everyone to see.

The next morning General O'Neill walked into Homeworld Command, and was handed a stack of messages asking for comments on a whole range of questions. He knew that the Press Conference scheduled for this morning would be interesting. They had quickly made a conference room flr this very thing, and he was surprised that the gallery was full if reporters and cameramen.

He walked into the room, and the reporters became quiet as he walked to the podium. "Good Morning everyone, I will be taking questions after I make my report on tje current state of affairs.

"Currently we have several threats facing us inside the Milky Way Galaxy. The Lucian Alliance is an Alliance of thugs that use threats, violence, coercion, and many other methods to maintain control of their operations. Because of how they operate they present a significant threat not only to us here on Earth, but to our inrerest throughout the Galaxy as well.

"They currently control roughly 52 inhabited worlds, and subjugate roughly 500 million humans throughout the galaxy. They have an estimated 62 Ha'taq class vessels, that are used to protect their assets as well as strike at us." he began informing them, well aware that many networks gad devoted signifacnt resources to broadcast what he was telling them.

For 2 hours he informed them of the current affairs, and was impressed that none of the reporters asked a single question during any of it.But now it was time for their questions, and he knew they would be a doozy.

"General O'Neill, what are the Wraith and do they pose a threat to us?" Ginger Claire asked for ZNN.

"The Wraith are a species from the Pegasus galaxy that is 3 million light years away. They are capable of interstellar travel, and although it was a Wraith threat 2 years ago, most of them do nkt have the ability to quickly make it to our Galaxy, let alone pose a threat to Earth itself." Jack replied.

"Is it true that there food source is the life essence of humans, and that they literally take years from your life until you die from the trauma of being fed from?" she asked seriously.

"Yes, it is true. The Wraith food supply is humans, and although we do not fully understand it, they do feed on human life essence through their hands. Because they evolved differently than we did, they also do not die of natural aging the way we do." he answered.

"Will we be going to the Pegasus Galaxy again to confront this threat, and if so is it worth the risk of exposing the location of Earth?" she asked again.

"Yes we will, as we must ensure that they never gain the ability to present a threat to our galaxy. The risk is well worth it, as they are technologically inferior to us. The threat they present is overwhelming numbers, however they have far more threats in our Galaxy than they do their own." he said before explaining the risks and rewards of confronting the Wraith.

It took 4 hours more for him to finish for the day, and Jack was exhausted as he walked into his office. The questions from reporters were so thorough that it would be interesting to see all the stories over the next day. He was glad that he would not have to do the briefings every day, as they were now selecting the Press Corp Officer as he sat down and closed his eyes.

Samantha Carter walked in, and closed the door. "Apologies Jack, but we have reports you need to see. It seems the Lucian Alliance is planning an attack on Langera." she said handing him the intelligence reports.

"It always seems to be skmething doesn't it?" he asked as he opened the file and read it. "How many ships do we have ready?" he asked.

"12 sir, we could have 14 in 2 weeks if we rushed the final stages." she said looking at what still needed completed.

"No, 12 will have to be enough." he said as he looked at the deatiled plans. "Send a signal to Chulak, and to Langera. Inform them both we need to discuss a sensitive topic." he ordered as he assessed what he would be able to send to assist on addition to the ships.