Speedrun 6

"Master... We might have an issue," Mai's voice conveyed her concern through our connection, a few minutes after our first successful planet relocation.

"What's the problem?" I inquired, puzzled, looking up from the gate modification I was working on.

"Approximately 35% of the planet's living organisms have perished after the translocation process. Moreover, there has been a significant loss of planetary mass, and numerous sinkholes have emerged across its surface," her response came swiftly.

"That's strange... What about the Quantum Mirror and the energy weapon I left behind?" I probed, seeking to confirm my suspicions.

"Gone," she confirmed after a brief pause to scan through the surface of the planet.

"Did you determine the cause?" I asked, however, I already understood the reason.

"Yes, it appears that the mineral you identified as Naquadah couldn't maintain its composition within our dimensional laws," she paused again and continued, "Its atomic structure destabilized and dispersed. The deceased organisms also contained Naquadah within their systems."

"I had a feeling something like this might happen," I sighed, shaking my head in frustration. "Seems the extraction system serves more than just a WP sink. How stable is the biosphere?"

"I've managed to stabilize and sustain it," she swiftly reassured me, "Though, without my intervention, it would likely have collapsed within a few months."

"We'll need to introduce species from other planets or accelerate evolution to fill the gaps," I muttered with concern. "For now, speed up time within that solar system, try to maintain ecological balance, and eliminate the parasitic entities that serve no purpose."

"Understood," she replied, ready to execute her tasks. But just before ending our connection, I interjected, "Before you proceed, did you receive the data on Naquadah from the replicator? I want to conduct an experiment."

"I have," her response echoed within my mind.

"Excellent, replicate a sample and inform me of the outcome," I instructed with a nod. A pause of silence ensued as she carried out my request. Soon after, her voice filled my thoughts once more.

"Replication was successful, and the material appears stable," she reported, her tone tinged with confusion.

"Just as I suspected," I mused with a contented grin. "This confirms that mana-generated materials don't rigidly adhere to a universe's natural laws. Otherwise, items I've crafted with mana would disintegrate in worlds devoid of magical support. However, this raises another question: Is this phenomenon exclusive to the items I've created with mana, or does it extend to regular magical items as well?" Contemplating the matter deeply, I found myself pondering. "I doubt my mana is anything inherently special, so could it be due to the replicator inheriting the Rule Breaker System through me? It was created by me, so it is a possibility," With that idea in mind, I turned my attention back to our mental link and sent a message, "Mai, remind me to conduct several tests once I enter a dimension with ambient mana."

"Understood, reminder set. Anything else, Master?"

"Actually, yes, there is. How are your energy reserves holding up? And what was the total cost of the recent translocation?"

"With your earlier order to provide values to the second decimal, the numbers remain unchanged," she replied, eliciting an eye roll from me.

"Fine, forget about that instruction and provide values to the tenth decimal," I deadpanned.

"Understood, parameter updated. The current energy charge is at 4.2712021379%, and the translocation's cost accounted for 0.0007905156% of our total energy reserves."

"Hmm, that seems rather substantial, isn't it? Several septillion points of mana, if I recall correctly," I commented, genuinely surprised by the figure.

"Would you like me to present the exact numerical value?"

"No need, the percentage will suffice," I replied with a sigh.

"Is there anything else I can assist you with, Master?"

"Nothing, for now, you can proceed with your tasks."

"Very well, Master. Have fun~!" With a playfully cheery farewell, she severed the connection, resuming her activities as I returned my focus to the Stargate before me.

The Earth-based Stargate team demonstrated great diligence in their exploration, not only documenting numerous worlds but also delving into the mechanics behind the functioning of the gates. They decoded the symbols adorning the gates and even devised their own control system. Granted, given their available technology, the system they devised was less than ideal, but it managed to get the job done.

Drawing from their data, employing advanced triangulation mathematics, and conducting various tests, I discerned the methodology employed by the gates to locate each other across the expanse of the ever-expanding universe. Curiously, there wasn't a centralized network overseeing the location of each gate; rather, each gate functioned independently, a design choice that had its merits.

In a manner akin to Earth's utilization of the base 12 numerical system, also known as the Duodecimal system, wherein the knuckles of four prominent fingers were counted during finger counting, or the hexadecimal systems used in modern computer frameworks, the Ancients had adopted a 38-symbol numerical system for the Milky Way galaxy's gates, with each symbol corresponding to the coordinates of specific constellations.

Leveraging this knowledge, one could translate these symbols into spatial coordinates relative to the galaxy's center and effectively establish a wormhole to a designated location—assuming a gate existed at those precise coordinates.

However, there remained a mystery: even sans a central controlling unit, gates somehow detected incoming wormholes. This was evident from instances in the show, when the Earth team, responded to unscheduled gate activations before they even happened. The question loomed: How did two separate gates, oblivious to each other's existence, manage to establish a connection?

The answer to this question presented itself in two distinct parts.

After deciphering the gate's method of pinpointing spatial coordinates, I incorporated the schematics of Earth's gate controller, enhancing and adapting it to my current circumstances. This improvised system allowed me to experiment with various theories, particularly my endeavor to initiate a wormhole to my current spatial coordinates.

Despite my heightened spatial awareness granted by [Spatial Sense], the disturbance caused by the gate's attempt to establish a connection with another gate was incredibly subtle. It created an exceedingly minuscule tear in the fabric of reality, so small that even conventional electromagnetic waves couldn't traverse it.

Nevertheless, my experiments confirmed my hypothesis: the gates emitted a signal prior to forming a connection. This indicated that all gates were actively awaiting incoming wormholes, prompting my quest to discern the frequency at which they operated.

This observation aligned with instances from the show. For example, the Goa'uld used their mother ships to invade planets and intercept incoming wormholes through the gate within their vessels. There was also the occurrence in which a Goa'uld fighter jet attacked the main cast, destabilizing the wormhole and making it connect to the secondary gate on Earth located in Antarctica.

Despite several attempts, my [Electromagnetic Spectrum Manipulation] yielded no results, implying that the gate's listening frequency didn't belong to the electromagnetic spectrum. My working theory was that it employed an undetectable subspace signal.

Armed with the idea, I unpacked my replicator and used the schematics for subspace relays and receivers. I aimed to fine-tune existing technology rather than reinvent the wheel. After adjusting the sensor frequency threshold, I developed a communication satellite-sized probe capable of detecting a broad range of signals and relaying them to my watch. After multiple tests and sensitivity adjustments, I grinned in satisfaction as I obtained my first results.

However, my satisfaction was short-lived, as the signal transmitted by the gate proved indecipherable, resembling a corrupted text file. It appeared that the Ancients employed encryption methods to obscure the data sent through the gate.

Engaging in this scientific pursuit offered a welcome departure from my usual magical endeavors. My efforts to understand and manipulate Stargate mechanics also contributed to significant improvements in skills such as [Engineering], [Handiwork], and [Mathematics].

"Testing this with different gates is essential to ascertain if the subspace signal remains consistent or exhibits variation," I muttered, my focus on the Stargate before me. I employed my watch to initiate the dialing sequence, targeting an uninhabited world chosen at random from my... "borrowed" list.

Although I had the capability to replicate a Stargate, the resulting copy would be identical to the one I already possessed. Consequently, the subspace signal would likely remain unchanged, hence the need for another gate.

You might also wonder why I'm dedicating time to this research. I possess coordinates from previously explored worlds, and considering I've deciphered how gate symbols convert to actual coordinates, I could simply warp to those worlds. Instead, I'm modifying gates, investigating their connection process, and striving to intercept and manipulate the signal responsible for forming links.

The straightforward reason is that Earth's Stargate database is woefully incomplete. Scouring all of space for habitable and intriguing planets is not only impractical but also inefficient. The galaxy's vastness is astonishing. In fact, it is so vast, that if I hurled an object unaffected by external forces in a random direction in space, it would likely drift onward for eternity without encountering anything.

Returning to the topic at hand, the Ancients, the creators of the gates, didn't merely scatter them across the Milky Way. They employed specialized ships to seed even other galaxies. Now, let's talk about the fun part: How could an advanced spacefaring race distribute gates across billions, if not trillions, of solar systems in a reasonable time frame?

The short answer was that they didn't.

The long answer was basically three words: Automated Self-Replicating Spaceships, or ASS for short.

(A/N: The original name was "Seed-Ships," and while they weren't exactly self-replicating, they were designed for the task of seeding worlds with Stargates. However, even with their 50-million-year head start, it's improbable for them to seed 38 galaxies, that we know of, particularly since they lacked hyperspace drives.)

The Ancients probably dispatched a single ASS, which traveled to a designated location, created a gate, generated another ASS from available materials, and continued. This process should have perpetuated indefinitely, or until space became so crowded with ASS that rear-ending one became nigh impossible.

However, that was not the case.

In the "Stargate Universe" spin-off, where a Stargate team got stranded aboard the exploration vessel called Destiny, which followed the ASS's footsteps to catalog gate-seeded worlds, unveiled a critical flaw: these ships weren't as energy-efficient as the Ancients presumed.

In addition to Destiny's incredibly long existence, maintenance issues, and crew's energy consumption, the vessel faced severe energy problems throughout the series. This suggested that the other vessels encountered comparable issues.

The Ancients did indeed possess formidable batteries, known as Zero Point Modules (ZPMs), capable of storing immense energy almost indefinitely. However, across the series, ZPMs exhibited seemingly erratic lifespans, some depleting after a single use while others functioned flawlessly for millions of years.

But, once again, I digress.

In essence, I aim to develop a system that can identify Stargates not just within this galaxy, but throughout the entire universe.

This plan also held the potential to help accomplish the primary quests within this world, eradicating the Goa'uld, Replicators, and the Wraith, all of which promised substantial amounts of WP as rewards.

I already have preliminary plans in mind, involving a fusion of magic and technology, with a star serving as the primary energy source. If successful, this system could potentially help me locate even Destiny, or any other similar ship, and retrieve their data on seeded worlds. This will help find habitable worlds with interesting flora and fauna. If I'm unable to locate that ship or those ships, I might need to design a system capable of rapid and efficient exploration and cataloging of worlds.

"Hmm, using replicators and nanites in conjunction with shrinking and enlargement enchantments might be a viable option," I muttered to myself, simultaneously channeling my mana through the event horizon of the Stargate before me.

Manipulating mana through a wormhole presented a few challenges. The rift, in reality, was designed to transport energy from point A to point B, and it interfered with my precise mana control. Approximately 70% of the mana that traveled through the gate lost its direct link to me and dissipated into the surroundings. Thus, it required some mental agility to encase the receiving Stargate within a cocoon of my mana and teleport it to my location, while simultaneously sealing shut the wormhole from my end.

With two Stargates now under my control, I resumed my testing, but not before swiftly replicating another advanced gate controller.

During my experiments, I made a significant observation: the connection signal from the first gate to the second gate was distinct from the reverse direction. What's more, both gates were attuned to subtly different subspace frequency ranges. This puzzling discovery initially caused confusion, as the gate network theoretically shouldn't function as it did.

However, a breakthrough occurred when my frustration with my inability to understand the phenomenon reached a boiling point. In a fit of anger, I kicked one of the gates with force, causing it to hurtle through space. As I observed its trajectory, an idea sparked in my mind. Utilizing the subspace probe, I tracked the changing signal as the gate moved, and the answer became crystal clear.

"Spatial coordinates influence both the sending and receiving signals!" I exclaimed, a realization dawning on me. I couldn't help but berate myself internally for not grasping this sooner. "One of the crystal controllers inside the gate must be responsible for tracking its spatial coordinates," I muttered, a tinge of annoyance in my voice. I swiftly returned the gate to its original position, observing the signal reverting to its previous state. To confirm my theory, I swapped the positions of the two gates, resulting in a corresponding switch in both listening and connection signals.

"This solidifies it," I stated with a grin. "Now, I just need to decipher that signal to use it for my own purposes."

This revelation prompted me to realize that both the sender's and receiver's spatial coordinates were embedded within the signal. Consequently, I embarked on the task of designing an algorithm to reverse-engineer the encoding process. With enough samples, this endeavor was feasible, albeit a bit time-consuming.

Harnessing my full mental capacity and deploying ten additional Stargates, which I replicated and propelled through space, I dedicated approximately 10 hours to the intricate process of coding, decoding, and debugging. Through relentless effort, I crafted and programmed a theoretically fully operational prototype capable of encoding signals using the same methodology employed by the Ancients.

Ensuring that I had a contingency plan, I stored away all but one Stargate in my inventory. Then, with a mixture of anticipation and a hint of anxiety, I stationed myself beside the briefcase-sized device. Activating the mechanism through my watch interface, I maintained vigilant surveillance over the Stargate before me, leveraging all my senses and specialized equipment to ensure a smooth process.

The instant the briefcase emitted the signal, it promptly notified me of a successful connection, sending a wave of relief over me. Simultaneously, the Stargate before me sprung to life. Generating an event horizon within its inner ring—a precursor to a forming wormhole—without the characteristic turbulence typically associated with gate activations. The gate pulsed a few more times before the event horizon dissipated, and the gate powered down.

With this breakthrough, I successfully developed a fully functional Subspace Stargate Pinger, or SSP for short. This device possessed the capacity to send and receive a diverse array of encoded signals via subspace.

Yet, the final piece of the puzzle remained: an automated system to open spatial gates, transmit signals to specific coordinates, and systematically document gate locations. This task could be considerably accelerated with the inclusion of temporal magic and the deployment of numerous SSPs, possibly reaching hundreds or even thousands.

With a clear goal in mind, I gathered all my equipment into my inventory and warped myself toward a single-star solar system, preparing to construct a Dyson Sphere to fuel the energy requirements of my Stargate Mapper.

(Tales of Demons and Gods – Olivia's POV)

"Initial scans indicate the presence of a cave entrance approximately ten meters ahead, My Lady," Serena reported, her tone annoyingly composed.

"Serena, there's nothing there! No cave, no mountain—just sand!" I snapped in frustration. I had been sprinting at full speed through this seemingly endless desert for an entire day, yet the dunes around me remained unchanged. My temperature regulation enchantments were useless against the unnatural heat, and I was covered in a miserable mixture of sweat and sand, with even my undergarments not spared.

"Environmental data from past, present, and future timeframes all suggest the existence of a mountain range with a distinct ornamental entrance ten meters ahead. I assure you, I've made no mistakes. Perhaps you should consider opening your eyes... My Lady," Serena's unhelpful response carried an undertone of annoyance that matched my own.

"Damn it, Serena!" I exclaimed, my frustration getting the better of me. In my little fit, I stamped my foot into the sandy ground, inadvertently cracking its surface. "Do another scan!" I demanded, my irritation causing me to overlook the subtle changes beneath my feet.

"I regret to inform you that I cannot comply. Another extensive scan is currently beyond my capabilities for the next few hours," she swiftly replied.

"Ugh!" I grunted, turning my attention to Sky, who was nudging me with its nose. "What do you want now?" I snapped, causing the poor pup to recoil in alarm.

Recognizing my outburst, I sighed and leaned down to pat Sky, my tone now apologetic. "I'm sorry... I'm just trying to figure a way out of this mess, and nothing's working. Should we contact Mai to get us out?" I asked, offering a wry smile. Sky shook its head and emitted a bark, its claw gesturing downward.

Initially puzzled by Sky's communication—my earring's translation enchantment rendered her bark as "Crack"—I followed her clawed indication and suddenly understood what was unfolding.

"For fuck's sake! Have we been trapped in one of those illusion barriers, all this time!?"