In a vast hangar, under the shadow of solemn silence, the birth of the base took place. I, an unseen guest at this celebration of progress, watched as two years of painstaking labor finally culminated in the completion of the complex. The governments of Svorin, Tollan, Galaran, Sparta—the Irish, true to tradition, retained their planet's former name—and the Tetrarchy bound themselves together in a secret pact concerning the gates. Their goal: to create a secret complex for the study of the mysterious gate system and for joint scientific endeavors. And the gates themselves, in their native systems, were to be securely protected, designed by my hand.
The complex became the pinnacle of human and inhuman capabilities. On an uninhabited, lifeless moon, one hundred and fifty light-years from Urvashi, a bunker eight hundred meters deep was erected. State-of-the-art technology made it an impenetrable fortress. The Tollans and I, with all our knowledge, designed it with any contingency in mind. Although, of course, there remained potential for modernization. The bunker was designed to support ten thousand scientists and three hundred task force members. Each task force consisted of three military professionals, one linguist-archaeologist, two scientists—a physicist and a biologist—and, finally, a diplomat whose training was based on the cultures of Earth, Tollana, and Svorin. As Isara joked, this was someone who wouldn't shoot people with an intar. I, however, being far more skeptical of the galaxy, foresaw that diplomats would use their intars far more often.
Of course, this didn't mean the "civilian" specialists were incapable of combat. On the contrary, each of them possessed the basic skills necessary for survival. But specialization was important: some searched for mines, others for shards. In total, forty-three teams were formed. First, I outnumbered the people involved in off-world operations on the SGC side. Second, ten thousand scientists, also formed teams, were engaged in initial surveys and follow-up work. The main rule for everyone was: if encountering Goa'uld: run. No contact. The Interplanetary Research Complex aimed to study Goa'uld-free planets and advance science. My people were present, but their role was limited. Jaffa, of course, were not allowed, but there were military personnel from among the Earth and Urvashi.
The amount of technology donated by the planets to the MIK exceeded all expectations. I provided my drones, computers, and research equipment, while the Tollans and Svorians also contributed significantly, so thousands of scientists worked in various sections. The base was managed by a Tollan, not a member of the military branch, but primarily a competent administrator who skillfully managed the staff. His deputy was my man, a military expert, who headed the security service. The base was designed with every need in mind. For example, groups and objects were subject to mandatory quarantine, which necessitated the development of isolation systems.
A minimum of forty-eight hours was required for observation in isolated rooms. These rooms were equipped with everything necessary for leisure. Any objects brought to the base were immediately placed under a protective field. The laboratories were also equipped with protective fields, and the scientists wore special suits provided by the Tollans. The entire base was self-sufficient, even in terms of power supply, thanks to multiple naquadah generators, food and water synthesis systems, and evacuation capabilities in the event of a breach. Travel was accomplished both via stairways and teleportation rings. The protocols were developed by both military personnel and scientists with rich imaginations, anticipating all possible scenarios. Unlike the NORAD bunker, this was a bunker designed for the study of extraterrestrial activity.
Naturally, a recreation area was provided where people could relax and recharge. Entire floors were dedicated to this purpose, filled with all sorts of entertainment, sports facilities, and libraries, both electronic and paper. Naturally, the treaty obligated everyone to share the results of experiments, research, and scientific discoveries. It also provided for the possibility of patenting inventions made by scientists based on space objects. But all discoveries belonged to everyone.
This is how my "Ahnenerbe" was born. I informed the Allies that the Ancients had a colony on Earth, and that their presence there had been noticed. Essentially, it was necessary to create an interplanetary archaeological service to search for any technology. This was a separate branch of the IIC, and many archaeologists were present at the base, although their main headquarters were on Tollan. Their task was simple: excavate everything necessary and unnecessary, while continuing their usual scientific activities, but focusing on unexplored territories, collecting myths, legends, and scientific evidence. Essentially, it was "Ahnenerbe," but I knew Zhenya would shoot me if I called the organization that. However, I lacked imagination, so I named it "Ancestral Heritage," which rather accurately describes the primary function of this division of the Archaeological Institute.
A special unit of this institute was tasked with studying genealogy, starting with the families of Patrick Sheppard and O'Neill. The goal was to identify people possessing the Ancient gene and analyze ways to enhance it. The Tollan figured out how to implant the gene into human physiology in a couple of weeks, and Egeria had also succeeded. After all, manipulating genetics was her true calling. However, everyone recognized that further experiments would be necessary to enhance the gene. Or even better, obtain the remains of an Ancient. I didn't tell anyone about Ayana because I couldn't rationally explain this knowledge. Besides, I was afraid to release the "ubervirus" into the galaxy until the Tok'ra were ready to neutralize it. That's why we had to search for the Ancients using such strange methods.
The base director's speech was full of pathos, proclaiming the triumph of science and progress. However, it was kept in a subdued tone. Afterward, a banquet followed, where people got acquainted. I managed to talk to many. Most didn't know who I was, which was quite valuable. I was able to share my ideas.
However, when the event came to an end and the people had dispersed to their living quarters, I headed to the command office. The senior staff, who were aware of my whereabouts, had gathered there.
"Here is a list of planets given to me by the Asgard. I have excluded all Goa'uld planets and marked them with a special symbol. Also keep in mind that I may need some planets for military operations," I handed them the data crystal.
"Many of your ideas are quite revolutionary; it's a shame you don't have enough time for engineering work," Neryun sympathized. It was nice to be valued as a scientist.
"I'm sorry too, but if I devote all my time to science, my wife will kill me," I replied.
"Yes, your wife... that could be," I wondered: why did the Tollan wince at the mention of my wife? "She's a very strong person."
Is it just me or is she secretly intimidating people?
"Yes," Isara was a firm and decisive person, but when had she managed to intimidate the administrative director of this base? "I await your weekly reports, and I also ask that you not engage in any wars during the first week."
"Ha-ha-ha, this is a joke."
"The galaxy is dark and full of horrors," I pointed out the obvious. "In case of emergency, my fleet will be here within 24 hours. But still, try to be as careful as possible."
"We're as prepared as we can be. The rest is a matter of chance. Research always involves risk."
"I understand, but still be extremely careful."
Another lead that could lead to me, besides the direct confessions of field agents, was my technology. It was already sufficiently different from typical Goa'uld technology that it could be compromised. For example, pulse weapons or the ability to mass-produce gloves similar to the ribbon devices. Some devices were simply disassembled into their component parts. For example, a device that erases short-term memory, allowing agents to conduct secure interrogations without being suspected (and solve the problem of unwanted witnesses without killing them). Laptops had become versatile tools, but given the immobile forearm (only the hand had to be free), various equipment could be installed there, such as missiles.
Essentially, I was recreating Iron Man's armor. The only useful parts at the moment were the helmet and gloves, and even then, without an exoskeleton, as creating an exoskeleton is quite complex. First, we need to create a sufficiently flexible and durable spinal column with sophisticated software to prevent the exoskeleton from damaging the body. We also need to install numerous safety systems and so on. Therefore, even with all the Goa'uld knowledge and my boundless imagination, an exoskeleton is still unavailable. My research team is capable of improving it, but they're reluctant because the Tollans aren't particularly keen on supplying me with weapons.
But they're developing a neural interface—a secure neural interface. After all, the ability to download knowledge directly into the brain has enormous potential. That's why they want to replace my helmets with something more practical: a cyberpunk-style, attachable or subcutaneous computer security port. The main problem with the neural link was that it transmitted brain impulses, converting them into radio signals. This opened the door to brain hacking.
The Tollans believe that by investing more resources in specialized computers that would act as a PC for a person using the neural link, security could be ensured. Any signals from the brain are sent to this computer, which encrypts them and processes incoming signals, passing the data through dozens of layers of cybersecurity. I don't want to experiment with this yet, but I'm keeping a close eye on the latest developments. The Irish, however, don't want to deal with this "crap" anymore and prefer to absorb information the traditional way.
So, among my allies, I see several technological branches with more or less equal capabilities. Well, diversity is good, uniformity is bad, so I see ten to fifteen types of energy production as my energy base. It's not a matter of efficiency: compared to naquad reactors and fusion reactors, all other energy production methods (except for direct star extraction) are simply laughable in terms of energy efficiency. But diversity is important, lest you enter the casino called "life" and bet everything on one number.
I already have a neutronium reactor, supplied by the aces, to power the planetary shield. And then there's the MNT from Proklarush Taonas. There's a wealth of research data to analyze. The MNT is one of the most advanced energy-harvesting technologies in the known universe. It's even ironic that the Goa'uld scanners couldn't detect it as a power source. Only by connecting to some technology via wire or some other means could one detect its source. Humans expected to find the MNT with their primitive technology. The SGCs have always been arrogant.
The research station on Proklarush Taonas is studying Ancient technology, because perhaps I simply want to replicate the Chair for the sake of my pride and engineering prowess. Even if it takes centuries, fortunately, I have them.