"Hello, Brunnhilde," I greeted the Asgardian, handing her the coordinates to the gate leading to the race's underground base, where the quantum mirror and other examples of alien technology were stored. Many races, like Earthlings, brought numerous useful artifacts to their planets, and many were wise enough to place gates underground. Alas, this race was destroyed by the Goa'uld, as were many human societies that had exceeded the permissible threshold of using atomic energy. It is extremely sad that I was unable to help them in any way. And yet, it was at this base that the Ancients' most valuable artifact was stored—the Quantum Mirror, an invention designed for the study of parallel dimensions.
I was curious about how this technology worked. Did they create a quantum rift in space and simply insert a mirror into it, creating a stable "gate" with a navigation system on the other side? Or did many universes come up with this idea simultaneously, each creating their own quantum mirrors? In a way, if Rick from "Rick and Morty" had invented teleportation technology in every universe, wouldn't all those universes have simply become duplicates? And what's so interesting about exploring such worlds? I still believe the Ancients created a gateway with some kind of device, threw a mirror in, and got rid of the unstable gateway, using only the stable one.
"Sarekh, your call requesting a meeting caused a stir," Brunhilda began. "Tyr wanted to argue with Thor again, claiming you'd bring something interesting. Thor, having learned from bitter experience, decided not to participate."
"What a mess you have there," I chuckled, leading Brunhilda to the laboratory storage unit and handing her a stone inscribed in Ancient. "It fits the notches on the Ancient communications control device quite well," I explained. "It was a research base for a certain race. Unfortunately, they were destroyed by the Goa'uld. They were traveling through the gate, collecting various artifacts, apparently attracted the wrong attention, and were exterminated."
"It's sad," she said in a dry voice, but there was genuine regret in her eyes.
"But here's the crown jewel of the collection," I said, leading her to a darkened mirror and pressing the bottom button, bringing up an image of another room. "A device for traveling between realities. I've already played with it a bit. On the other side is a similar mirror. The connection is maintained by touch, and the remote is used to jump between realities. My theory is that the Ancients created localized spatial rifts and moved the mirror through them. It's like a gateway, but between realities."
Brunhilde began scanning the device with her wrist device. "Interesting, my equipment isn't designed for anything like that."
"Yes, that's why I made it a surprise," I replied. "Sorry, but I don't want to use the communication systems, have all this stuff end up in archives, and then have replicators connect to them and learn about the ability to travel to other realities. Thanks, the Goa'uld have enough of a bad reputation without being hated by the multiverse. Or rather, for the multiverse to hate me."
"That's interesting, but how does that help us?" asked Brunhilda.
"You guys have no imagination at all? Go to another reality, find the Asgardians, and combine their scientific potential. The result would be two Asgardian civilizations working on the replicator problem. Even if nearby universes have almost identical sets of scientists, that means any scientific problem gets double the number of specialists working on it."
It seems that the "grays" haven't thought of something like this.
"And if we learn to control the display, then perhaps we can create some kind of Multiverse Alliance."
"You have a terrible way of naming things," I retorted. "The names of your ships, the planet you named Sarehan… even the Goa'uld didn't stoop so low."
"Nothing," she said with some hope. "I hope you'll name some ship or class of ships after me."
The Asgardian turned away.
"I'll still need to call in a research team with equipment. Granted, I shouldn't explain what I found, since you're so worried about information being intercepted. But I need to know what you'll ask for in return."
"I'm glad you're starting to know me well enough to anticipate my actions," I smiled. "What do you think I'll ask for?"
"You're too smart to ask for beam technology, knowing you won't get it," Brunhilde suggested. "The same goes for weapons and ships, unless they're Goa'uld technology, of course, but at this stage of development, you don't need that. More likely, you'll ask for some technology or development that will help you with something."
"That's how the exchange works," I agreed. "And so you pay for not being prepared to explore every planet in the available address. In fact, this address is in the Abydos Cartouche, meaning this planet was colonized by the Goa'uld. The benefit of exploration is that you can find such Ancient toys."
"So, technology. What kind?"
"The only technology that matters in our world, the one that controls so much in a strategic and tactical perspective, is the technology of producing Stargates and their software codes for connecting to the universal network."
Brunhilde was stunned for a few seconds. "I can't make such decisions."
"You can negotiate," I continued. "I'm offering you the opportunity to make contact with a complete analogue of your civilization, which will improve your technological capabilities in the war against the replicators, giving you... Honestly, I don't know how many scientists you have, but you'll have twice as many. What technology can you offer me in exchange for what I'm giving you?"
"You know, there's this device called a multicooker. It cooks food really well, and it comes out delicious."
"Stop, Brun, are you kidding me?" I asked in shock. She tilted her head.
"What are you talking about? A slow cooker really is a very useful technology," she continued playing.
"And an even better technology is a hyperdrive with a speed of at least 25-50 light years per hour."
"No," the Asgardian immediately replied.
"Neutronium generator?"
"You don't have neutronium, and no."
"A cold fusion reactor?" I thought. "Oh, no, I'll find that somewhere myself. A Stargate is the most important thing I'd like to have, unless, of course, you have propulsion technology that doesn't use hyperspace. It's probably better than hyperspace."
"Not exactly," Brunhilda replied. "He's extremely dependent on precise astronavigational charts. He also has to work a certain amount of time and rest a certain amount of time."
"Excellent. Tell the High Council I'm willing to consider other options, but the Gate is my primary one. That's what I want. Of course, I could agree to an orbital Goa'uld shipyard, but I don't think there are any such projects. I can't develop one myself, because you'll literally do what they ask of you, and it will be my fault."
"And that's bad?" she asked.
"Actually, it's called an 'Italian strike'—doing what your superiors tell you to, not what's necessary to maintain production efficiency. If you do everything your superiors ask, everything will be destroyed. Or what if I asked the Asgard to develop a shipyard? Wouldn't councils spend months debating, 'This is an obvious use of Goa'uld technology, but those stupid snakes didn't think of it. By adding an antigravity crane, we won't give the Goa'uld any power?' I can imagine such conversations, considering my 'invention' is naquadah batteries, which any race familiar with naquadah should be able to invent. So it's safer to ask for a Stargate."
"The Goa'uld have an antigravity crane," Brunhilde said. "But I do understand your logic."
"Everyone understands my logic except my wife. She thinks I shouldn't shoot an intar when I meet someone."
The Asgardian wasn't listening anymore. It was a shame.
Access to transport technology of this level is a huge advantage. It will allow us to establish colonies where no one will know, the addresses will be hidden. Baal's dream of a secret Empire will be realized by me.