THE PLOT

Colonel Chekov is trying to convince a Chinese Ambassador that the Goa'uld mothership that exploded (see Descent) was in fact one of their submarines. The Ambassador says that they have intelligence to say the submarine that exploded was still in port when the incident happened and they don't believe the story. He also says that it is worrying that the Russians seem to be in league with the US over something. Two more ambassadors, British & French come over. They also say that the stories to explain strange events the US come up with are worrying, they also know something is up otherwise they would not have been called to the Pentagon. Hammond & Major Davies enter the room and the meeting starts. Davis says that they are here to tell them about a secret USAF project called the Stargate Program.

Davis tells the gathered ambassadors that the stargate is used to visit other planets, no one believes him. Chekov tries to back him up but to no avail. It comes out that the Russians know all about the program and that they also operated a program of their own after recovering a gate from the bottom of the ocean.

Flashback to Nemesis.

The Chinese Ambassador says that the sub explosion was a cover story for these events but is told that it was in fact for a different event, the explosion of an alien ship. The British Ambassador is really sceptical. Senator Kinsey arrives and apologises for being late. Kinsey assures all the ambassadors that everything they have been told is true. They are coming forward with this information now due to SG-1 putting the Earth in danger. The ambassadors are told about the Goa'uld and their ships.

Flashbacks to Serpents Venom, Exodus, The Sentinel & Summit.

The French ambassador says that if this is all true then the US has placed the whole world in danger. Kinsey explains that he wanted the program shut down but no one listened. Hammond argues that it was in fact shut down and the Earth was nearly invaded. Only SG-1 defeated Apophis. (Politics, Within The Serpent's Grasp & The Serpent's Lair.) Kinsey says that since defeating Apophis all that has happened is a more powerful & ruthless Goa'uld has taken power, Anubis.

Flashback to Revelations.

The ambassadors are told that he has twice tried to destroy Earth.

Flashback to Fail Safe.

Hammond says to all the ambassadors that they need to work together and Chekov adds that it will need never before seen co-operation between the nations and secrecy. The Chinese ambassador says that the people need to be told before alien troops are marching through the streets and that they don't keep secrets from their people.

Hammond & Davis say that it may not come to that, they have destroyed a Goa'uld fleet before. While our technology may not be as advanced, it does work.

Flashbacks to Exodus & The Sentinel.

It is explained that progress has also been made with creating new technologies, first with the X301 then the X302.

Flashbacks to Tangent & Redemption I.

The Chinese ambassador is furious that the US has been operating an aircraft of such capacity, it radically alters the balance of power on the planet. All the ambassadors want to know if there are other technologies they should be aware of. They are told about the X303.

Flashback to Prometheus.

It all comes to a head. The ambassadors want the stargate to be placed in neutral territory with multinational teams operating through it, Hammond will not agree and Chekov says the Russians will follow the US. Kinsey says that perhaps he can help. He puts forward the suggestion that the stargate is operated by a civilian operation, the NID. Hammond says it is ludicrous and the NID should not be trusted.

Flashbacks to Chain Reaction, Touchstone & Shades Of Grey.

Kinsey says that Hammond and O'Neill are not competent enough to run the program and produces their records, he lists the number of times SGC has been taken over by alien forces and/or put the planet in danger. He tells everyone they can't afford to let Hammond role the dice any longer.

Flashbacks to A Matter Of Time, Message In A Bottle, Menace & Foothold.

A break is taken. Chekov tries to convince the Chinese that it is worth leaving things as they are, the US spends all the money and risks all the men while they reap the benefits later. Davis informs Hammond that Kinsey has recently been moved to a new position, he is now directly in control of the NID. Hammond says he has an ace up his sleeve.

The meeting starts again. Hammond says that whoever runs the program will be Earth's ambassadors. While they have made enemies they have also made friends.

Flashback to The Fifth Race.

They ambassadors say that they will consider Kinsey's proposal and talk to their governments. At that moment Thor transports into the room. He tells them all that the Asgard are in debt to SGC and SG-1. They would prefer Hammond to remain in charge. Before leaving he says that Prometheus will be fitted with Asgard shields and weapons. With Thor's recommendation the ambassadors have little choice but to leave things as they are, for the time being.