Chapter 124 (1/2)

Wraith Hive Ship

Sitting in the throne room the Wraith queen known as The First was filled with a frightening and furious anger. The destruction of the shipyard by the humans was of no concern, as she expected as much from them and had several shipyards elsewhere producing the much needed additions to the Wraith fleet. What angered her most were the continued actions of the betrayer. His insolence could no longer be tolerated. The last commander she had assigned to run down the betrayer had not only failed in his task to deliver her prey's head to her, but had joined the ranks of her prey.

Her monumental ego did not permit the thought of how tenuous her position among the other queens truly was. In her bloodl.u.s.t for revenge against the betrayer The First was quickly loosing her iron like grasp over several of her key commanders. Despite the spike in defections to the other side she was confident that her building and cloning program would provide more than sufficient fodder to her armada.

Knowing that a decisive showdown was on the horizon major cullings were underway. Worlds already culled deeply were being culled completely. The long term cost of stripping these worlds bare of human life was seen as a necessary evil to rid the galaxy once and for all of the two groups that opposed her. Once the war was won the excess Wraith being brought into existence for this fight would be fed upon to make up for the shortfall in humans to feed upon.

With her anger and venom boiling over the turmoil within the Wraith hive mind was known to all. With a pragmatic approach to their survival several key commanders quietly plotted their individual defections. The cracks within the shiny veneer of Wraith solidarity continued to fissure unchecked.

In another corner of the galaxy Todd was aware of the deep divisions forming in the forces he faced. Bringing to bear his skills at political adroitness he exploited these divisions. Knowing he could oppose his enemy directly he also sought to oppose his enemy from within their own ranks. The defections that started as a trickle would soon grow into an unchecked tide. Todd was certain that in this instance time was most assuredly on his side.

P4X-650

Within the city of Shambhala a steady rhythm to daily life had been quickly found for the new arrivals. Both the People of Novus and the Tollan's were now situated and making the most of their new home. Understanding how traumatic an upheaval like the loss of a home world can be the Novan's went above and beyond in making the Tollan's feel welcome. This interaction had been encouraged very subtly by Camille Wray in the hopes of swaying Tollan public opinion towards the Tauri.

The outpouring of material assistance from the Five Races had been staggering. Everything from basic necessities to luxuries such as entertainment devices found their way to the city's new inhabitants. It was felt that after the tribulations both races had been through they should want for nothing while adjusting to their new surroundings. Slowly a division in beliefs was forming among the Tollan's. One side felt that the amount of kindness being shown was proof of the benevolent intentions of the Tauri, while the other side felt it amounted to a slap in the face that their new found technological preeminence was undeserved by their hosts.

Having closely monitored the developing positions of the opposing factions within the Tollan people Camille Wray had dutifully reported her findings to the SGC. In a cryptic reply General O'Neill had told her not to worry as help was on the way. What exactly that meant she still had as yet to figure out fully.

For the past twenty minutes delegates of the Five Great Races had been arriving at Shambhala. At the request of Chancellor Travell the impromptu summit had been put together. Unknown to Travell this meeting afforded the Tauri the chance to reaffirm their level of technological prowess over their new guests.

At General O'Neill's request the assembled gathering of leaders met on the highest tower in the city's scenic balcony. This balcony possessed an amazing view of the skyline, and the deep lake Shambhala was built around. To even the ascended beings within the group the panoramic view was inspiring.

”The location of this meeting I find highly irregular. Diplomatic protocol dictates a more formal setting than this” protested Travell.

”We're setting protocol to the side for the moment Chancellor. I thought you might like the chance to see something new” hinted O'Neill.

”The city is even more impressive than I first imagined General” conceded Narim.

”Why thank you Narim. That's very nice of you to say” said O'Neill with a smile.

”This city is a truly impressive achievement” added Dorin.

”I must agree with Ambassador Dorin. Shambhala is a centerpiece within this galaxy” stated Freyr.

”The young have come far” said Lya with her customary smile.

”Chancellor Travell, I trust you have settled in well into your new surroundings” stated Melia.

”We have” answered Travell curtly.

”General O'Neill what exactly did you wish for us to see here today” asked Narim.

”General, Atlantis exited hyperspace four minutes ago and is entering the atmosphere now” interjected Wray.

”Well Narim, if you'll turn your attention skyward you'll see in a few moments” replied O'Neill.

In the sky high above could be seen a massive fireball plummeting through the upper atmosphere. To the untrained this fireball could easily be mistaken for a meteor or other similar object breaking apart under the building drag of the planets atmosphere. To the initiated though, this was nothing more than a city ship completing its final descent for touch down.

”Are we in danger General” asked Narim with concern.

”Not at all Narim. That is Atlantis come to deliver a new member to the Shambhala team” replied Jack.