Chapter 121 (1/2)

P4X-650

”Oh now you want to trade. Do you remember what you told us when we needed your help? I'll help you out a bit since I remember very clearly. We do not share our technology with races more primitive than our own. You Chancellor belong to such a race” said Jack with a smirk.

”This is an outrage” shrieked Travell.

”No Chancellor, the outrage is your actions leading up to the attack upon your world” interjected Lya.

”I'm afraid I do not know of what you speak Lya” answered Travell carefully.

”Is it true that you entered into an agreement with the Goa'uld to produce weaponry capable of passing through Earth's gate iris in exchange for being allowed to live? Such weaponry was in fact produced” replied Lya.

”None of you were present for the situation and I ask that this matter be dropped forthwith” demanded Travell.

”The young races do not always do as they are told. We the Nox assisted your race in rebuilding once not because you were advanced but because you were in need. You took that charity and in return you offer to destroy another race. These are not the actions of an enlightened and advanced race” said Lya clearly.

”It's simple Chancellor. We're willing to let bygones be bygones and allow your people to remain here as long as you would like. We will not be sharing technology though, end of story” said Jack with a tone of finality.

”Then all is in the past, correct” asked Travell.

”For the most part” replied Jack.

”The Tauri may be willing to let the matter lay where it is, but it is not that simple. You broke your people's highest law, and also the trust of the Nox. Your own laws require that you stand in Triad to be judged” said Lya.

”You seek to prosecute me? That will never happen” defiantly stated Travell.

”Lya speaks the truth Chancellor. Her interpretation of our laws is correct, and you must stand in Triad for what has occurred” added Narim.

”How dare any of you speak to me in such a manner? I am the Chancellor of the Tollan Curia” hissed Travell.

”Do not assume all are siding against you Chancellor. The Nox choose no sides, we are friends to all. We value fair treatment of all parties, and in this case that can only be established if you stand in judgment. The Tauri are our allies, and one of the Five Great Races. This will be so” said Lya plainly.

”The matter of Omac's murder must also be brought before Triad” pronounced Narim.

”A Chancellor cannot be brought before Triad and remain in office” objected Travell.

”Our people have spoken over the years and their wish is that I replace you until such time as another more qualified leader can be found” replied Narim.

”The evidence you would use against me is lost, this Triad will not succeed” stated Travell triumphantly.

”That's actually not the case. To assist in your rebuild the Ess.e.x beamed aboard your underground computer cores. We should have all of your records. That will be beamed down here within the hour” said Jack with somewhat of a smile.

Refusing to hear anymore Travell stood and walked furiously out of the room. Close behind her was Camille Wray. Once the two left the room tensions eased considerably.

”Colonel O'Neill, I wish to thank you for what you are doing and all that you will do for the Tollan people” stated Narim.

”It's General now, but who's counting. Maybe now you guys can learn some humility towards races that need a leg up” replied Jack.

”We have learned much in our time in the wild. As you say we still have much to learn. Perhaps you and your people can aid us in that as well” suggested Narim.

”The Five Great Races will do all that we can to assist your people” said Lya smiling.

As the conversation continued elsewhere in the great city the peoples of Novus eagerly interacted with the newly arrived Tollan's. Over the course of the day the Tollan's would learn much that they would have never believed possible a few short years ago about the Tauri. As they interacted with the Novan's a feeling of home began to spread amongst the new arrivals. The beating heart of Shambhala was now alive as the first of many residents settled in.

Ares

Gliding through the ethereal plane of hyperspace the Ares effortlessly charged closer and closer to her destination. After months of lobbying Colonel Sheppard's request had finally been granted. When General O'Neill had laid Sheppard's request in the lap of President Hayes he hadn't been hopeful of a forthcoming authorization. Much to Jack's surprise, the President had applauded Sheppard's determination going so far as to call the mission a debt of honor.

Sitting in the command chair on the Bridge of Ares John thought back to all that had changed since his accidental indoctrination into the world's single best kept secret. Much had changed since that day. Friends had been made and lost. Were it not for his time in Pegasus he felt certain his military career would have been long over. Finally he was being allowed the chance to repay the one responsible for this second chance.

”Colonel, we will be exiting hyperspace in forty five seconds” stated the helmsman.