Re: X2U-238: Shot in the Dark 2
In reply to _General Hammond (msg # 94):
"Actually, Sir, I do." Kaspar responds, gesturing for everyone to move closer and join in the conversation,
"As you point out, flying this Ha'tak back to Earth would take a year, even assuming we could get that much naquada -- which we probably could, if we mined and refined if from here, in the weeks it would take to outfit and supply this ship for that trip. You must remember, Sir, that the Green Slime ate everything of an organic and near-organic nature. There are no food supplies aboard, no sheets on the beds, no mattresses, no freshwater reserves, no laundry detergent, no cleaning supplies ... no toilet paper!"
"And then, even if we do fly it back to Earth, where are you going to hide something the size of a small Egyptian pyramid? No, I really don't think that flying this Ha'tak back to earth, at this time, is the way to go."
"However, moving the Ha'tak to the mine site is an excellent idea, both for defense of the site as well as ease for us to continue mining it for our own naquada needs. But, after moving the Ha'tak, I suggest we render it immobile by removing it's propulsion engines - shipping those systems back to earth for study and retro-engineering. We keep the power systems active and convert the Ha'tak into an SGC facility, on this planet. An embassy, of sorts, as well as a cultural exchange center with the First Ones."
"We keep this gate here, rig up an iris, move in a command team, place some security troops, store supplies in the spaces made empty by removing the flight engines, turn one or two of these cargo bays into vehicle bays for land rovers and lorries and mining equipment and such. Then set up the Diplomats and the Scientists, and we have a fully functional base, complete with functional shields and defensive energy weapons."
"I think the Ha'tak would make an ideal, ready-made base facility. And, it would remain in the possession of the SGC, available for study whenever wanted."