Stargate Nova Roma - Chapter 5

5 – A Desperate Gamble

(Stargate Command – Conference Room – 24 March 2016, 0800)

Marc sat down at the conference table. Besides him, the meeting included Hailey, Teldy and Colson. They were waiting for Mackenzie, General O’Neill and General Landry. The three men entered the room and sat down. It was Mackenzie who began the meet.

“Okay, it’s been three days and we haven’t heard a peep.” He said. “Colonel Telford and his team have just vanished. If they were aboard Destiny, they would have used the Ancient Stones by now.” The Ancient Stones were alien communication devices which allowed people to switch bodies, even over fast distances. Telford’s team had taken several along to contact Earth. “So, where do we stand on Plan B ?”

“We’ve been over every inch of the base.” Hailey began. “And we’ve run every diagnostic we have. The wormhole was stable, the power held and the address was correct. Everything we have says that Telford and his team should be aboard Destiny. Doctor Porter and I triple checked all of it.”

“I read your report.” Mackenzie said. “Good work. But that doesn’t tell us what to do next. Suggestions ?”

“The power source has been recharging slowly over the past three days. It’s currently at thirty percent. We can try again in seven days, sir.” Hailey said. “The problem is that we can’t send a probe. Because radio signals will not travel through a nine chevron wormhole.”

“The International Oversight Authority is still bickering about this situation. But I have no intention of just sending another team until I am absolutely sure that they will not die the second they step through the Gate.” Mackenzie said. “Is there any other way to get data on what is happening on the other end of the wormhole ?”

“No, sir.” Landry said.

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. It was crystal clear that they were at an impasse. They could not send another team through the Gate, but leaving the mystery unanswered – and the crew of Destiny stranded – was also unacceptable. It was Vale who finally broke the silence.

“Then we’ll just have to get there the old-fashioned way.” He began. “Since it is millions of years newer, we already know that Atlantis is many time faster than Destiny. And if we fit Nova Roma with an Atlantis-class star-drive, she will be many times faster than Atlantis. We can make the trip in a fraction of the time it took Destiny.”

“That’s presuming the tower will hold together at those speeds.” O’Neill said.

“Not to mention the fact that we will need ZPMs to power it.” Teldy added.

“Actually.” Colson said. “I have been thinking about that. We have a stockpile of depleted ZPMs.” He leaned forward. “I believe we can use the Ancient nanites aboard Nova Roma to reset them. There is, however, one major drawback which has kept us from using this technology.”

“Which is ?” O’Neill said.

“The reset ZPMs will be nowhere near the same quality as they were during their first lifetime. At full power output, they would last thirty days. That’s presuming they are installed aboard Atlantis.”

Vale nodded. He had read a report by a scientist called Radek Zelenka, which had said that it would take Atlantis nine days to fly from the Milky Way to the Pegasus Galaxy. So if Nova Roma was as fast as Atlantis, there was a good chance they could hop two more galaxies past Pegasus. It was Teldy who asked the obvious question.

“So, how long would they last aboard Nova Roma ?”

“That’s an even bigger problem. The worst case scenario is sixty days, while the best is ninety-four.”

“That’s quite the gap we’re talking about.” O’Neill said. “So, how would you suggest we get around this little….hiccup ?”

“There’s only one way. And you’re not going to like it.” Colson leaned back. “We’re going to have to use our entire supply of currently depleted ZPMs. I believe the current count is twelve.” He paused. “It’s the only way this mission will stand a chance, sir.”

“You right.” O’Neill said. “I don’t like it.”

O’Neill looked at Mackenzie, who had been listening intently. The President knew this would not go over easy with the IOA and he understood why the General didn’t like it. Nova Roma would be using three ZPMs at the moment, which meant four jumps. That meant Nova Roma would end somewhere between two-hundred-and-forty and three-hundred and seventy-six days away from home. Either way, it would be wise to cram over a year’s worth of supplies into the base. But would there be room ? And there was a very real chance of the tower being stranded in the middle of nowhere. With very little or no supplies.

“It’s an enormously risky plan.” Mackenzie said. “There has to be a way to trim down the risk.”

“We can install a Stargate….” Vale said, making everybody look at him. “…and make three hops. Then we use the last three ZPMs to attempt to dial the ninth chevron.”

“You do realize that this whole plan is because we CAN’T dial the ninth chevron ?” O’Neill said.

“True.” Vale said. “But if we’re not at Destiny by the end of the third Hyperspace hop, whoever goes will be out of options. It’ll likely be dial the Gate…” He paused. “….or run out of supplies and die, sirs. I know it isn’t pretty, but it’s this or give up on Colonel Telford’s team and Colonel Young’s crew.” He looked at Mackenzie. “It’s your call, sir.”

There was another moment of silence, then Mackenzie made the call. “Write it up for the IOA. But I want it to be crystal clear that this a volunteer mission. And I want everybody to know what they are signing up for in advance. Full disclosure.”

“Yes, sir.” O’Neill said.

“Dismissed.” Mackenzie said.

The look on the President’s face made it clear that the man wanted to spend some time line alone. And Vale couldn’t blame the man. He had just made a very difficult decision. It was at times like this that he was happy he was just a Colonel. Being a head of state meant that you often had the weight of the world on your shoulders. He walked out of the Conference Room and headed for the Mess Hall. He needed a drink.

(Beta Site – Gate Room – 7 April 2016, 0811)

It had taken a day to put the plan – which they had named Operation Deep Star – on paper. After that, the IOA had bickered about approving the plan or turning it down for several days. But four days ago – at 0730 – the notice had come in that Operation Deep Star had been green lit. And what had happened next, had been amazing. Everybody on the base had volunteered. It had made Vale very proud. But it had also made him think twice about volunteering himself. If he signed up, he would probably end up in command. And he was not sure if he was the right man to lead this operation. So he ended up in the Gate Room, staring at the Stargate.

“Still pondering, Marc ?” A male voice said.

He turned to see Alec Colson walking into the Gate Room.

“Yes…so tell me, why did you sign up ?” He turned back to the Gate. “Even if we make it to Destiny, this is very likely to be a one-way trip.” If they managed to get Nova Roma to Destiny, the plan was to transfer the nanites to the starship. They would then feed the tower into the new matrix and try to repair as much of Destiny as possible. They were gambling on said repairs to allow them to dial home. “So…why are you going along with this desperate gamble ?”

“You do remember this desperate gamble is partially your plan ?” Colson said with grin. “But to answer your question…” He paused. “…because as much as I like to criticize the US Air Force, they do get one thing right…they never leave one of their own behind. And to me, giving up on those people is not an option.”

Vale pondered that for a moment. And then realized that Colson was absolutely right. Even if Destiny had been empty, there would still be the folks aboard Nova Roma. Was he really going to abandon them to another commander ? He wondered what his father would say if he was here. ~They’re your men and women.~ His mind flashed. ~The Gods gave their lives into your hands. Do not let go.~ If he was not meant to lead this mission, why had life brought him here ? ~Decision time, Marcus.~

“Thank you, Alec.” He said. “I know what to do.”

And with that, he walked out of the Gate Room to sign up. Part of him knew this was insane, but the bigger part of him knew that it was the right thing do. And he was going to listen to that part.

(Nova Roma – Control Room – 31 May 2016, 2357)

It had taken several weeks to refit Nova Roma with the hyper-drive portion of the star-drive. Next, they had added the Stargate. In order to make sure it was compatible, they had installed a Gate from the Pegasus Galaxy. The Gate also had a forcefield which fitted over it like a glove and would keep any unwanted visitors out when active. That done, they had loaded the tower up with as much supplies as they could. Which meant that the crew – of 103 people – had enough food for two years. The tower also had a water reclamation system and a hydroponics bay.

And now they were three minutes from launch. The Control Room was being manned by the senior officers. That meant Major Hailey on the Science console, Major Teldy on the Security, Doctor Pavel Gurkov – the base’s chief medical officer – monitoring the crew and Sergeant Victor Leyton – the Chief of Maintenance – behind the Engineering console. Vale would be doing the flying.

“All systems in the green, sir.” Leyton said. “Two minutes to launch.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.” Vale said as he sat in the Hot Seat and activated it.

The clock ticked down to one minute. Then past thirty seconds and finally ten. When the clock reached five, Vale began slowly applying power. Nova Roma’s sublight engines engaged and she pulled away from the planet. The image on the viewer in front of the chair changed from the sky, into a field of stars.

“On course, sir.” Leyton said. “Systems are stable. ZPMs are providing steady power. Ready to go to hyperspace.” He hit several keys and a map appeared on the screen in front of Vale and the one at Leyton’s stations. “Jump One course plot ready, Colonel.”

“Here we go….”

Vale grabbed a small joystick, which controlled the FTL section of the drive. He jammed it forward and the hyperspace window opened. Five seconds later, the flying tower dove in. The tower shook and rattled. This was the moment the city either tore itself apart or held together….