Andromeda Galaxy

"The question is do we tell the Tauri? Do they not have the right to know? It is my opinion that to continue to deceive them is a mistake we will come to regret." stated Thor.

As the Asgard High Council debated the subject amongst themselves Thor thought of the Tauri he had come to value as friends. They were a strong people, and had fought for the Asgard against the Replicators when it was needed most.

"Supreme Commander Thor, we have gifted the Tauri with our entire base of knowledge. We have no need to explain our actions to them." replied Odin, Chief Delegate of the High Council.

Rising from his seat, Thor took several steps towards the High Councils podium.

"They are the fifth race. Yes, we did entrust them with our knowledge and legacy, but we also laid upon them the burden of maintaining our treaties. They are a strong race, but a young race. It is not our right to hinder their development so that our treaty obligations are fulfilled. We solved our genetic degeneration with an Ancient DNA manipulation device, and they are the second iteration of the ancients. We saved ourselves with technology that is rightfully theirs. If we abandon a friend and ally of the Asgard, we are no better than the Vanir." stated Thor in rebuttal.

Quickly changing subjects Odin inquired about the status of rebuilding the Asgard Fleet. The entire fleet minus the O'Neill Class ship Iskr had been decimated when Othalla had been destroyed. The Iskr under cloak had slipped away carrying the consciousness of every living Asgard in its memory banks. The plan was to rebuild the race anew; free of the curse they had lived under for so many thousands of years.

"Supreme Commander Thor, once the fleet is rebuilt, reestablish contact with the Tauri. Explain to them what was done and why it was done." directed Odin.

Knowing a victory had just been handed to him Thor returned to the shipyards to oversee his task. The Asgard would soon reappear on the universal stage.

Pluto

On the very edge of the solar system was Pluto. Once classified as a planet, then reclassified as a dwarf planet Pluto was nothing more then a lifeless ball of ice and rock. The Hammond maintained station five hundred thousand kilometers out while conducting scans. No energy signatures, no life signs, nothing but ice and rock. The Ancients were very good at making things disappear, even themselves, so looks could be deceiving.

"Scans show nothing Colonel" stated Captain Fisher.

"I expected as much. Jumper One, you are clear to depart." sighed Samantha Carter.

Inside the Jumper bay the outer doors were opened and the ancient spacecraft sped away. Not knowing what to expect only John Sheppard and Daniel Jackson were aboard.

"Once I am within fifty thousand kilometers start transmitting Doc." said Sheppard.

Speeding towards the dwarf planet the Jumper's sensors detected nothing. Once within range Daniel began transmitting the signal, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly the sensors came alive with massive energy readings, and the dwarf planet seemed to change in the view screen. It wasn't a planet at all, but a man made celestial body.

"Uh doc, I'm not doing the flying anymore." m.o.a.ned Sheppard.

Altering course the jumper sped towards an opening in the massive object. Approaching a gigantic opening a force field visibly dropped. Gliding in on autopilot the Jumper passed numerous Ancient vessels, sitting at their anchor like the sentinels of old. Some sh.i.p.s appeared to be complete while others were in various states of construction.

"This is amazing! It must be a giant shipyard! Good thing I finally agreed to the ATA gene therapy." exclaimed Daniel.

Heading towards the upper portion of the massive hollow sphere, the Jumper gently docked and opened its rear hatch.

"Greetings citizens, I am Arkos. Your arrival has been much anticipated." said the man standing at the Jumper hatch. With a slight flicker, Daniel and Sheppard saw Arkos was clearly a hologram.

"Arkos, I am Dr. Daniel Jackson and this is Colonel John Sheppard. Are you a graphic representation of this facilities creator?" asked Daniel.

"No Dr. Jackson, I am the station automated control system. An unknown warship is within weapons range of this facility. Will you authorize defense procedures?" asked Arkos innocently.

"No, no, no Arkos! That won't be necessary. That ship brought us here." stammered Jackson.

Arkos processed that answer for a moment before displaying a photographic representation of all of Earth's vessels with the label friendly in ancient beneath.

"Very well doctor. I was instructed to stand down from construction of all vessels and materials before Atlantis removed itself from Terra. Do you authorize resumption of my duties?" asked Arkos.

"I think we'd like to take a look at what you've got on the lot first Arkos" laughed Sheppard.