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POV: Supreme Commander Thor. Othalla, Asgard Homeworld.
With a flash of light, I took my place on the Asgard High Council. I was second to arrive this time, with the Chief Archon already in his seat as I looked around. Over the next several seconds, all the other seats filled in.
The Chief Archon nodded as Penegal took his place on the council as the last to arrive. "The Replicators have been removed. Our next immediate threat is the hive mind known as the Tyranids."
The Chief Archon turned to me, and I began my report. "The fleet is undergoing repairs. It will be ready to leave in three days. I plan to take the fleet through Avalon to aid the Kaelastrians before continuing on to the current Tyranid fleets."
I had nothing further to report, so next was Penegal. "I have begun a survey effort to examine our lost colonies. It currently appears that all planets have been lost. I will dispatch my vessels to retrieve the group of rogue Asgard in the Pegasus Galaxy once my surveys are complete."
Next up was Freyr. "We have completed the retrofits of the Ion Guns to our current fleet, as well as begun construction on the new shipyards; they will be ready to begin ship construction in 388 days."
He was silent for a moment as he dragged one stone across his terminal. A set of three new ship designs appeared before each of us. "These are the current designs we are considering."
The first he showed was the basic design that I'd seen from Arthur; in the alternate timeline it was known as the O'Neill Class after Jack O'Neill. "This will be the direct replacement of the current Bilskirnir Class."
[HERE FOR BILSKIRNIR IMAGES]
The second ship was smaller, with a smaller weapons complement, but just looking at the most basic specifications, I had no doubt that it would fly circles around the Bilskirnir class. Freyr continued, "This cruiser will replace the current Odin Class Science Vessels. Its armaments have been significantly enhanced from that of the Odin class. With their abundant specialized sensors these vessels will be able to serve as the scouts and picket ships of our fleets, alongside their primary purpose as science vessels."
[HERE FOR CRUISER IMAGES]
The third ship was entirely different. It was nearly five kilometers in length with a set of secondary cannons on the end of each pylon, but most notable was a void that ran down the center of the vessel. It was clearly meant for something that the Asgard hadn't used in nearly a million years, a spinal weapon, though the weapon itself clearly hadn't been designed quite yet.
During that entire time, we hadn't discovered an enemy who couldn't be defeated with a couple of shots from our normal weapons. We all turned to Freyr, who continued. "The release of the Avalon Local Group Quarantine has led to the uncovering of numerous threats. Such threats require a change in strategy."
He was silent for a moment. "This is a Titan; it is meant to destroy the greatest threats to the Asgard people should the time arise."
[HERE FOR TITAN IMAGES]
We examined the designs in silence. I sighed. "I will support this endeavor. Freyr is correct; the number of threats we face continues to increase. If we wish to continue our mission, then more powerful vessels are required."
There were a round of affirmatives, and finally the Chief Archon nodded. "Construction is approved. Begin prototyping. You will have all the resources you require."
The last of the high council to step up was Assir. "I have been examining the technologies which were recovered from the individual known as Sinclair. While most of the technology is inferior to our own, there are a few things at which they excel."
The first thing he pulled up was the Stasis Tube. "Their stasis technology is approximately twice as effective as our own, and four times as effective as the Lantean equivalent. They have a series of procedures to prepare a body for Stasis, which drastically increases the effectiveness and ease of use. I am recommending full updates for all Asgard stasis technology."
The second thing he pulled up was a Terran Particle Projector Cannon. "While not nearly as advanced as our own, these devices have drastically reduced power requirements for marginally reduced firepower. I believe that further examination of this device could allow us to increase the power of our own ion guns."
Freyr looked intrigued and quickly began examining the blueprint on the display. In the meantime, Assir continued. The next thing he pulled up was a Life Cradle Unit, a precursor to the Terran Iron Womb. "These devices allow even a heavily mutilated creature to remain alive. I believe that using such technology would allow us to more easily advance our own attempts to rebuild our genome. I have already begun producing prototypes to advance this technology."
With that, all of us had completed our reports. The Chief Archon looked around and nodded. "Then we are adjourned."
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POV: Arthur Sinclair. The 24th of April, 2977.
By the time Slightly Overweight and I had finished deciphering the Baol Biocomputer, it was early in the morning of the 20th.
By then, the rest of the city was abuzz with activity at the news; an Asgard fleet would pass through the Milky Way, and they would stop here before continuing on.
When Thor had first come to visit, it had been kept a secret to prevent a panic. Of course, people still found out when they noticed the set of 1.5 kilometer long Bilskirnir class vessels in orbit.
Luckily, the people trusted and had faith in the Dendredan leadership and didn't start fleeing for their lives. When the Asgard ships left and the truth of the visit was announced, it actually relieved many people. For their entire history, the Dendredans had believed that the only major power in the galaxy was the Goa'uld. Discovering that another race that had warred with them existed and had made contact was rather reassuring.
Now, it wasn't just three ships; there would be 820 vessels, nearly seventy percent of the entire Asgard fleet. So, with bated breath, we watched as the first of the Asgard vessels appeared out of hyperspace.
Over ten seconds, almost a thousand individual holes in reality cracked open above our heads. Individually, you might notice a slight flash from the ground, but together the collective show was enough to produce a light blue glow that could rival the sun. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, and I had no doubt that the sight would remain in the minds of everyone who had been present for years.
We moved away from the balcony as Thor once more materialized in the office. Arriston smiled. "Welcome back."
Thor didn't reply. "We have little time. How can we aid you?"
Having gotten used to the brisk mannerisms of the Asgard, Arriston quickly picked up his Flexi and began reading. "First off, we'd like your help with moving the remaining people off of Dendred. There are approximately 450,000 people still there. We have the accommodations ready, though it'll likely be a rough few months with getting that many people moved in at once."
Thor nodded. "I will dispatch a dozen Bilskirnir to aid in transferring your people."
Arriston nodded. "I'll have my people on Dendred prepare them for their arrival. Next is vessel movement."
Arriston grabbed a second flexi and handed it over to Thor. "This is the list of vessels and where we need them moved. For our own vessels, they all have crews ready."
Thor quickly looked through the list. As he reached the bottom, he pointed out one particular vessel. "What of this vessel?"
Arriston nodded. "That would be Azaryn's Vivarium. She would like her ship moved to the Cybrex Alpha Star System."
Arriston continued when Thor said nothing. "Now, we've been looking through the terms of the Protected Planets Treaty. While the Asgard may not give technology to a civilization within the borders of the Goa'uld Empire, there are no constraints on whom they may trade with. Would it be possible for us to sell your people licenses for our knowledge and technology in exchange for Asgard technology?"
Thor was quiet for several moments as he considered the president's words. "That would be within the terms of the Protected Planets Treaty."
The unspoken tension in the room seemed to drain away from everyone. "Excellent. We have some ideas for what we can provide, but I'm afraid it isn't very much."
Thor nodded. "We have already applied your HPG technology for our own means, but you have also offered us the location of the Dakara Device, and introductions to the others here in Avalon."
Arriston nodded and turned to Ma'chello, who stepped forward. "Our most immediate requirement is for some crystal growth chambers."
Thor seemed to think for a moment. "The Asgard structures used for mass production are too large to be moved, and our replicators are strategic assets. We can instead offer the know-how and schematics for Goa'uld growth chambers."
Ma'chello frowned. "Could we get the schematics for your or even Lantean designs?"
Thor's response was immediate. "I could provide them if you wish, but you would be incapable of producing or maintaining them."
Ma'chello looked at Arriston and just nodded at him; Arriston smiled in response. "Alright then, schematics for Goa'uld chambers would be excellent."
In response, an Asgard data stone appeared on Arriston's desk; Ma'chello looked at it, shrugged, and continued. "We need some way to detect HPGs and Jump Drive activations."
This time, Thor agreed immediately. "We can provide several Asgard subspace oscillation monitors, as well as the related schematics."
Ma'chello nodded happily. I watched him slide to the next page of requests. "Do you have any Lantean technology?"
Once more, an Asgard data stone appeared on the table. Ma'chello tapped it to his flexi and began looking through the list. His eyes seemed to widen as his eyes continued to slide downward. "We're going to need some time to sort through this."
Thor simply nodded. "You have a few days before we leave."
Immediately, a sizable section of the Asgard fleet once more entered hyperspace. Arriston nodded. "With that out of the way, we have the representatives of the Curator Order ready to meet with you on Dendred. I can escort you to the Stargate, or will you be traveling by ship?"
"Stargate. My ship will meet us there. Will you permit me to beam us to the gate?" Arriston nodded in the affirmative, and the two of them were gone.
Once more, the room returned to calm. The Asgard, despite their diminutive stature, were oddly threatening. Just the fact that they could fight the Goa'uld to a standstill was already a massive boost to morale.
I returned to work, but I was interrupted by the team that had worked with me on the XJF project. They had come for my opinion on their current project, an autonomous drone that could be sent through a Stargate.
The design was elegant, and it made good use of existing designs and technology, but both Slightly Overweight and I agreed it had room for improvement, so we spent a day helping the design team with some final polishes to the design.
The next day, the Lantean technology that had been traded with the Asgard arrived; a pair of Lantean gateships, also known as Puddle Jumpers in Stargate: Atlantis, alongside a single depleted ZPM.
It was around this time that the last of the Dendredans were brought to Kaelastrum, alongside 12 Tel'tak and 24 Al'kesh. Much more exciting than all of this was that Astrocreator Azaryn's Vivarium — her absolutely massive garden ship — had finally reached the Cybrex Alpha star system.
That the Manassas was now within range of the Inner Sphere only served to bolster my excitement.