Chapter 35

  “We come from a coalition of worlds called the Lantean Commonwealth. We came to this world in order to open diplomatic relations with your people with the expressed interest in your world joining the Commonwealth.”

  Amos and his companions had set foot on the enchanting world of Orban. The vibrant greenery unfolded before them, intermingled with the solemnity of ancient pyramids, sprawling electrical towers, and the resilient presence of concrete buildings, creating an awe-inspiring panorama as they navigated the lively streets. At their side, Karlan, the esteemed leader of Orban, guided Amos, Reva, and Freyr through the pulsating heart of his thriving capital.

  “Your world boasts such splendid architecture,” Freyr remarked with wide-eyed admiration, taking in the grandeur that enveloped him.

  “Thank you,” Karlan replied, a note of pride in his voice. “Our ancestors were brought to this realm millennia ago from the planet Earth by the Omeyocan—an advanced race of extraterrestrial beings who sought to protect us from the malevolent Goa’uld. Yet, our sanctuary was uncovered, and the Goa’uld unleashed a merciless campaign against our people. In the end, we rose to resist them, reclaiming our lands and banishing the darkness that once loomed.”

  “You fought the Goa’uld, and won?” asked Amos, moved by Karlan’s revelation.

  “We did,” explained Karlan, his face looking up with pride. “Afterwards our people dedicated themselves to understanding the wonders of science, steadily advancing Orbanian technology and infrastructure at an impressive rate.

  The small group soon found themselves in the heart of the city, beneath the towering pillars that supported the magnificent forum of Orban. This vibrant gathering place, the pride of the Orbanian people, offered a sweeping view of their beloved capital. As they stood elevated above the sprawling metropolis, their spirits soared, and a sense of unity filled the air, binding them to the grandeur and history of their home.

  As Reva took in Orban’s rich architecture she couldn’t help but inquire more about their technological prowess. “What type of technology does Orban specialize in,” she asked, mesmerized by their sprawling capital.

  “We specializes in several technologies, actually,” boasted the proud leader. “Our city is powered by advanced naquadah generators that we designed by ourselves. One reactor alone could power our capital city for several generations,” said Karlan. “We also specialize in nano technology and, until recently, used our nanites in order to drastically enhance our learning capabilities.”

  The group sat down on an open bench on the edge of the forum and admired a group of small children running and playing as a young woman acted as their chaperon.

  “Not too long ago, we made contact with our homeworld and opened up diplomatic and trade relations with their people. Although we were able to work out a trade agreement concerning our naquadah technology, they expressed ethical concerns in regards to our nanites.”

  Amos, careful to shield his origins and the circumstances that had led them to Orban, leaned in with a probing curiosity that belied his cautious demeanor. “Karlan, what is it that they felt was unethical about the use of nanite technology to expand your intellectual faculties?" Amos asked tactfully, his voice measured, each word thoughtfully chosen.

  Karlan cast his gaze downward, his posture betraying a flicker of shame as he contemplated the weight of his answer. After a hesitant moment, he looked up, the shadows of unspoken truths lurking in his eyes. “As I mentioned earlier, our nanite technology possesses the profound ability to exponentially elevate our capacity for learning by meticulously cataloging every sound and sight we encounter. However, the price of this enhancement is steep. A select group of Orbanian children is chosen at birth to endure a procedure that introduces millions of nanites into their systems. As these children grow, they develop an extraordinary aptitude for information retention, gaining cognitive abilities that mirror those of an adult long before they reach puberty.”

  Amos, Reva, and Freyr looked at Karlan stupified. “You mean you developed the technology to turn your children into super geniuses?” asked Amos.

  “For lack of a better word, yes,” replied Karlan.

  Reva squinted at Karlan unable to see the clear lapse in ethics. “I don’t see what the ethical dilemma is,” she said, "your children would be blessed with advanced knowledge if you continued using this technology.”

  Karlan's foot kicked at the stubborn clumps of dirt as he leaned against the weathered shoulder of the park bench, his gaze shifting upward to meet Reva's eyes. “It wasn’t the way we accumulated knowledge that posed the issue,” he mused, his voice low yet laden with weight. “It was how we distributed it. The Urrone, as they had come to be known, were birthed into a world where nanites coursed through their veins, awakening their intellect and enhancing their learning from an exceptionally young age. In the tender years of their upbringing, they would be guided by experienced mentors, immersing themselves in the intricate fundamentals of our technology through observation and experimentation. When Urrone reached a certain age, however, they underwent a procedure called the Averium. In order to educate the remaining populace, Urrone children had their nanites surgically removed and then redistributed throughout the general population. The resulting surgery would leave the Urrone children with severe brain damage.

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  “My god,” said Amos, taking in the severity of Karlan's words. He had wondered why his people had cooled in their relation with the Orbanians, this would explain why.

  Karlan looked over and pointed at the group of children who had passed them earlier, “Now we have schools that teach our children and young adults instead.”

  Reva, always the one teeming with the most questions, looked at Karlan and asked, “I still don’t understand. If the problem is with the extraction process why not use another way to extract the data. Instead of submitting them to a dangerous surgery, try downloading the information wirelessly.”

  “Wireless technology? My people don’t have such technology,” said Karlan. “You’re suggesting that our people leave the nanites inside of the Urrone and we simply remove the information while leaving the nanites inside of them?”

  “Perciselly!” exclaimed Reva.

  Amos turned his body to meet the Orbanian leader, further pushing Reva’s point, “Karlan. We are also in possession of nanite technology. However, our nanites don’t just store data, they heal. If we were to work together and combine our technologies th–,”

  “Then we would make better nanites that would have no need for an Averium,” Karlan finished, his mind rallying with new possibilities.

  “Exactly!” affirmed Amos, clearly possessing the same mind.

  Karlan guided the explorers through the bustling heart of the capital, their footsteps echoing against the imposing fa?ade of a grand brown structure that stood as a testament to Orbanian ingenuity. He gestured towards the towering doors, inviting them into the sanctum of innovation where the most distinguished minds of their civilization awaited.

  “These are the vanguards of our nanite technology,” he announced, hope and pride swelling in his voice. “They will guide you through the intricacies of our technology and collaborate with you to weave your nanites with ours.”

  The Orbanian scientists, statuesque and composed, adorned themselves in immaculate white attire, exuding an aura of authority and knowledge. The room of scientists looked like Lanteans. Their ornate turbans, a distinctive mark of their culture, the only thing setting them apart.

  As Amos, Reva, and Freyr established their workstation within the state-of-the-art Orbanian laboratory, Freyr couldn’t suppress his awe at the sophistication enveloping him. Every tool was a marvel of precision, every equation penned with the clarity born of mastery. The Orbanian minds were undeniably a notch above those they had encountered on Taranis and Arkology. Yet, thanks to the glow of the Ancients’ wisdom, Amos and Reva still radiated a brightness that eclipsed their Orbanian piers. Their knowledge a living testament to the brilliance of the Ancients.

  Their team worked tirelessly for several weeks blending Amos’s medical nanites, Reva’s Replicator nanites and Orban’s Uronne nanites. “What happens if the nanites run out of space,” asked Freyr.

  “They will simply self replicate another batch,” said Reva, “They’re so small and their storage capacity so vast it would take one hundred lifetimes before the human body would run out of space.”

  “What about their healing capabilities,” raised Amos, “Will they heal at par with the medical nanites running in my system?”.

  “Quite better actually,” said Reva.

  An Orbanian scientist standing next to her elucidated Reva’s point: “We were able to upload all the Orbanian medical data found in the Orbanian archive as well as all the diseases and illnesses found in the Lantean and Asgardian database. Not only will our nanites be able to cure all of those diseases, they should also extend human longevity by several decades.”

  “I’ve also taken the liberty to add matter conversion technology to the nanites. When a new disease is discovered all one has to do is upload the molecular formula into the nanites and the nanites will be able to synthesize a cure,” proclaimed Reva triumphantly.

  Amos was encouraged by these words and the science teams worked eagerly to finish their revolutionary product. Yet Amos was concerned, due to past experiences at the SGC, that these new nanites would be hacked and compromise the security of their users.

  “Reva, what firewalls and security protocols do we have in place for these next generation nanites?” Amos inquired.

  Reva, who was busy finishing the final coding for the next generation nanites, turned to Amos and said, “Don’t worry about security, my love. As soon as the nanites enter a new user’s system they are locked to their genetic code. Just like your nanites, DNA will function as their security protocol. In addition, I’ve also included a secondary Lantean encryption that should prevent any rogue agents from hacking the nanites.

  “Very good,” said Amos.

  “Being good is my reason for being,” said Reva bubbly.

  After several weeks of work, the next generation of Orbanian nanites were complete. All they had to do was be tested.

  Amos, Reva and Freyr were back on board the Skidbladnir preparing to revive Sha’re. What better person to test their new medical nanite technology on besides their previously dead crew member.

  “Ok here it goes,” said Amos. “Bring her out of stasis.”

  As the glass door of the stasis chamber hissed open, Sha’re stumbled forward, emerging from her crystal coffin in no better condition than when she had entered. Her body ached and her skin felt cool and clammy; her face bore the wild look of someone lost to confusion and fear.

  “Here, Sha’re, eat this!” Reva urged, urgency lacing her voice.

  The Orbanians had concocted a small cookie designed specifically to deliver the nanites within her. Amos had likened these new treats to the Earthly indulgence known as a Twix—sweet, layered delights he savored during his time on Earth. Each cookie boasted a variety of flavors—Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Strawberry, even Peanut Butter. Yet, in terms of effectiveness, these delightful wafers vastly outshone the metallic sludge Freyr had provided Amos at the onset of their extraordinary journey. With a cautious glance, Sha’re popped the brown wafer into her mouth, the flavor bursting forth as she chewed, the nanite-infused morsel leaving a trace of hope in its wake.

  “It tastes good,” she said as she devoured the Orbanian treat. “What is it?”.

  “It’s your ticket to a new life,” said Amos. “We’ve been working tirelessly with alien scientists to perfect this technology which will hopefully keep you alive.”

  As soon as Sha’re had swallowed the last bit of the sweetened wafer her disposition began to change.

  “I feel better. Much better,” said Sha’re, her health rallying. The crew of the Skidbladnir began to rejoice as Sha’re quickly regained her well being.

  “This is an extraordinary development, I must inform the Asgard Science Guild,” said Freyr as he walked towards his console.

  Sha’re was back to normal. No longer did she feel death haunting her every step. For the first time since being resurrected, she was alive! Now, she was free to join the crew of the Skidbladnir until she was reunited with her husband Daniel Jackson.

  The crew made their way to the planet’s surface to report their results. As they entered the city, Karlan noticed them afar and ran towards their current location.

  “Did the new nanites work?” inquired Karlan, an effervescent look on his face.

  “Yes. They did,” said Amos, triumphantly. “Karlan, I’d like to introduce you to Sha're. She's a member of our team. Recently, she had fallen ill and was placed in stasis. Now she is perfectly healthy thanks to your new nanites.”

  “This is great news!” said Karlan, gazing up and down Sha’re’s beautiful form.

  There’s still one more thing we need to test with this new nanite technology before we tell the rest of your people,” said Amos, a mischievous grin forming on his face.

  “…And I know just the place to test it.”