Pax Elysia Chapter 29: Visitors from Asgard P1

“You and Cedric have landed me square on a senate committee meeting after the stunt you two pulled.” Harry said as he walked beside Remus inside the stargate building facility of Elysium.

“You told us to take initiative.” Remus reminded him.

“Yes, I did.” Harry said with a sigh. “I don’t think that is the answer the committee will approve.”

“I don’t see why they would not. We did manage to test the weapon successfully.”

Harry hummed as he grew thoughtful.

“I suppose I could argue that we saved some Grians by testing the Avalonian adjacent to the Potentia. After all, we no longer need a separate test for the Avalonian. That should satisfy some misers in the committee.”

“Hmm. So, how are your NEWT exams going?” Remus asked.

“Going smoothly so far. I decided to take only Charms, DADA, Transfiguration and Ancient Runes.”

“You dropped Potions, Astronomy and Arithmancy?” Remus asked in surprise.

“I did.” Harry nodded.  

“Why?” Remus asked, looking baffled.  

“Astronomy is no longer that useful, since our stars and planets are positioned differently. I’ll take up the subject when it’s updated to the current standard. As for Arithmancy and Potions, I simply don’t have the time. I think I’ll take them next year.” Harry said.

“I suppose there is some merit in what you’re saying.” Remus nodded, looking thoughtful. “Besides, it’s not as if those subjects mean much in your current position.”

They walked further into the facility, where rows upon rows of stargates were propped up by magnetic clamps while wizards and even some robotic arms were working diligently on them.

Finally, they reached a separate chamber where a larger gate was suspended in mid-air. It was only thanks to the expansion charms used within the chamber that this larger stargate could be hosted.

“Wow!” Harry exclaimed, seeing the giant ring hovering in the air. “You completed it?”

“I wish I could say that.” Remus sighed wistfully. “The superstructure is complete, but we’re still working on reducing the energy requirements.”

Harry walked around the suspended stargate, observing the structure, looking for any observable difference from the normal-sized stargates.

“Have you named it?” Harry asked, his eyes tracing the interior of the gate, where the plating was made of synthesised transmission crystals to create a larger, more stable event horizon.

“Well, since we have the concept of a super gate for our Dreadnoughts to cross into other galaxies, I thought we could name this design the semi-super gate.” Remus suggested.

Harry nodded, not bothered by the simplicity of the name.

The idea of using a semi-super gate was for moving the Corvettes and the Puddle Jumpers into deep space without engaging their hyperspace engines. Having a few of these semi-super gates would help their military power projections within the Milky Way. The current situation all but demanded the rapid expansion of Elysium’s fleet and its power projection in the galaxy.

Sokar's rise to prominence has only increased the threat level in the Milky Way galaxy. Despite Sokar waging war on the System Lords and generally decimating the Goa’uld race’s military might, the depravity the human population underwent in Sokar’s newly conquered worlds was unthinkable. The Tok’ra spies that managed to escape from Goa’uld-controlled worlds prior to being conquered by Sokar reported the mass killings that Sokar’s forces engaged in.

Most of the reports Harry received on Sokar’s activities just chilled his soul. Those same reports he sent quickly were sent to the Senate’s budget committee, and the fleet's funding has since tripled. The apparent failure of Her’ur to goad Sokar into a trap using Apophis as bait stung them all as it destroyed their chances to take out Sokar. Despite repeated attempts by Her’ur to invite Sokar into a neutral location to hand over Apophis, no response had come from the elusive Goa’uld.

Still, Her’ur’s planets were spared from any attacks from Sokar’s forces. So, there was that one lone advantage and the hope that one day Sokar might fall for the trap.

“So, when can you deploy these semi-super gates?” Harry asked, looking earnestly at Remus.

Remus rubbed his beard awkwardly.

“Maybe two weeks from now. As I said, the gate is burning more energy than it ought to. We need to find where the energy is bleeding and make adjustments before the gate is prepped for production.” Remus explained.

“You have carte blanche on this one, Remus. I don’t care if we pay an arm and a leg for these gates, but we need them as fast as possible. This should be the priority.”

“All right.” Remus nodded. “I’ll make sure to push the timetable for faster delivery.”

 “Good.”

Harry let out a relieved sigh before taking his leave from the facility.

Once he was back in his office in the underground shipyard, where the Spitfire and the Avalonian were undergoing some refitting. Both were being refitted with more drone launchers as they were the surest weapons capable of piercing through the shield of a Goa’uld mothership. The new targeting system the fleet had developed demanded a rejig of the launchers and their positioning on the two dreadnoughts.

The redesign mostly happened after studying the battle performance of the Spitfire against Heru’ur’s Ha’taks.

A message suddenly arrived in his office’s connected interface. The message came from the consulate in Cimmeria. When he delved into the message, he sat up alert in his seat and read it more carefully.  

Once he fully understood the message, he sent alerts to all High Council members. The Asgard were coming for a diplomatic visit, and Elysium needed to be prepared to host their most potent ally.

******

The stargate chevrons engaged one by one until an event horizon formed with the telltale sound of a bomb being blasted underwater. The event horizon bulged outwards for a second before stabilising into a stable circle inside the stargate ring.

Harry, Nicholas Flamel and Josephine Fournier were present, representing the High Council. The Senate was represented in the delegation by Amelia Bones and Sirius.

A row of aurors was posted within the facility hosting the Stargate as protective detail. After all, since developing their own gate network, it was the first time Elysium’s old stargate was activated like this. Even their dealings with Cimmeria were through the stargate of Svoriin.

It was one of the first security measures Harry proposed. The stargates the Alterans built posed a significant security threat since they could hardly control the gate network. In fact, they always kept the Alteran-made stargate of Elysium shut down from their end for safety purposes.

The first to walk through the event horizon was Captain Elsa Rivers, their current ambassador to Cimmeria. She was followed by Korr, the Asgard appointed by the Asgard High Council to educate the Cimmerians. Korr was also their point of contact with the Asgard’s government. Naereya, a member of the ruling council of Cimmeria, followed through behind Korr.

“Welcome Korr. Elysium extends our hospitality.” Harry said with a smile and respectful dip of his head.

“Thank you, Marshal Potter.” Korr said, with a slight tilt of his enormous head. S

Harry took the hand of Naereya and brushed his lips against her knuckles in greeting, earning a rosy-tinted smile from the woman.

“Welcome, Naereya.”

“Thank you, Harry.” the dark-haired woman said while smiling in greeting. “Gairwyn extends you and your people her warm greetings.”  

Harry nodded and welcomed them further into the chamber.

The stargate shut itself down behind them, and Harry turned his attention to Korr.

“Aren’t there others?” Harry asked curiously. “We were informed that Supreme Commander Thor and Councillor Penegal will be among the delegation.”

“They will arrive aboard Commander Thor’s ship.” Korr answered.

As Korr and Naereya mingled with the others, Harry stood back and relayed orders to the fleet, warning that a hyperspace entry might be coming into their star system.

“You know, he does look like a taller House Elf. I hope Kreacher doesn’t fall in love with this one.” Sirius whispered, making Harry struggle to contain the laugh bubbling in his throat at the distinct imagery in his mind.

“Now, I’m tormented by the image of Kreacher making kissy faces at Korr.” Harry whispered back.

Sirius’ face turned green at the thought.

“Why did you say that? Now, I can’t rest easy until these Asgard leave.” Sirius muttered with an affronted look.

“You started it, Padfoot. Now, suffer in silence.”

“Cheeky!” Sirius huffed. “Still, the bloke looks knackered and ready to keel over in a strong draft. Is he in want of a sandwich?”

“I don’t think the Asgard are compatible with our cuisine.” Harry whispered back.

“That’s a shame.” Sirius said before raising an eyebrow. “Not even a ham?”

Harry just shook his head.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.” Sirius said with a self-assured look on the back of the Asgard walking ahead of them. “A people who thought it was a good idea to clone themselves to a state where they burned off their bits don’t deserve ham or tea.”

“Sirius!” Harry hissed.

“What? Tell me I’m wrong.”

Sirius threw him a challenging look.

Harry wisely kept his mouth shut, not wanting to attract attention to their conversation. He was not in a rush to test Asgard's tolerance for humour.

A hovercar was on standby to pick up all of them towards their destination.

“Please.” Captain Rivers guided Naereya and Korr inside the hover car.

“Are you not joining us?” Korr inquired, staring at Harry and the others.

“Of course we are.” Harry answered.

“There is not enough space for everyone in this craft.” Korr stated.

“Ah, the interior is different from what we can perceive from the outside. You’ll understand once you enter, Korr.” Harry said with an indulgent smile.

Korr stared at him for a second with the usual expressionless face before entering the car through the open glass door. The rest of them followed Korr and settled into the cushy white premium seats.

“Your people have mastered space manipulation to such an extent that they can create a stable localised sub-space with minimal energy draw. I’m impressed.” said Korr.

“Actually, this is not a subspace powered by any technology.” Harry said just as the hover car took off into the sky, it easily flew through the city skyscape without so much as a whisper.

“Really?”

Korr slowly raised his hand, and a beam of light shot out of the small crystal piece inside the palm of his right hand. The light scanned through the interior for a moment before flickering out.

“There seems to be no technology powering this sub-space.” Korr made the observation in his natural monotone voice. “How have you achieved this feat?”

“We bind magic to animate or inanimate objects using what we call spells. One of these spells happens to be a spatial expansion charm, the effects of which you’re experiencing.” Harry explained.

“Fascinating.” Korr said before falling silent.

The hover car glided through the city sky, passing over the Emrys river, the Quidditch stadium, the Dragon reserve, the central bank tower, and even the newly built Marauder’s tower, where the Weasley twins set up their shop. Captain Rivers pointed out all the major landmarks to Korr, with Nicholas pitching in from time to time.

Harry’s focus shifted to the warning from the deep space observatories on the planet and on the moon as they detected sub-space signals of a telltale hyperspace window. The orbital ion cannons across the planet remained poised and in full alert. The cannons set their targets on the general area of outer space where they detected the hyperspace window.

Though it was most likely an Asgard starship, being cautious never hurt anyone.

By the time the hover car reached the Senate building, the Asgard ship exited hyperspace and was nearing the cislunar space of Elysium. In the next moment, a beam of light fell from the Asgard ship before the Senate building. Once the light dimmed, two more Asgard were standing there.

“Wicked!” Sirius breathed, impressed by the Asgardian instant teleportation technology.

Harry was similarly impressed and alarmed. The fact that the Asgardian tractor beam could easily bypass the most heavily warded building in Elysium was a cause for concern. His eyes locked in with Nicholas Flamel, and in them, he saw the same concern reflected back.

“Supreme Commander Thor. Councillor Penegal. Welcome to Elysium.” Nicholas said, waving his hand towards the entrance of the Senate building, where reporters from various media houses were present at a respectful distance.

“Greetings.” said Thor.

“Shall we?” Nicholas asked.

Together, they walked into the Senate chambers to chart a fresh course for the galaxy as a whole. It was the beginning of the end of the Goa’uld empire.