The Briefing
Shepherd lay where he was, trying to remember the briefing that Hammond had given him.
"The derelict Ancient City on LM9-2K2 in the Pegasus Galaxy was attacked and captured by Next - Generation Special forces, being led by members of FOX-HOUND.
Shepherd had been taken in the night from his home in Nebraska. He'd retired from the Forces. Why did Hammond need him now? He just sat on his prison cell's bed, and listened.
"They're demanding the government turn over the remains of Big-Boss, and they say that if their demands aren't met within 24 hours, they'll launch a nuclear weapon."
Now Shepherd started to care. This is what he'd been trained for; and this was why he'd been kidnapped in the middle of the night. He was the only person that was capable of taking on this mission.
"You'll have two mission objectives. First, you're to rescue IOA investigator Richard Woolsey, and the SGC boss, Hank Landry. Both are being held as hostages. Secondly, you're to investigate whether or not the terrorists have the ability to launch a Nuclear strike, and stop them if they do."
He had begun to think this through by that point. The problem was, getting to the city without being detected. "What's the insertion method?" he'd asked.
"We'll leave hyperspace about 3 miles from orbital range, just outside of their long-range radar."
"And then?" Shepherd asked, wondering how he was going to get in.
"We'll launch a one-man SDV. once you get into the atmosphere, dispose of it. From there on you'll have to freefall into the city's bay."
"Anyone going with me?" Shepherd had said, sounding hopeful.
"As usual, this is a one man infiltration mission. Weapons and equipment, procured on-site. Don't expect any official support."
And so Shepherd continued to rehearse the briefing, over and over in his head, while he lay in his SDV. It was a small, torpedo shaped deployment vehicle designed for use in water, and in space. It would get him through the atmosphere, at least.
He felt violent jerks as the SDV shot out of the Daedalus at high speed. He could see the planet coming closer through the small window in front of his face.
The window turned red as it hit the atmosphere, plunging the ship even further and faster as the gravity took effect.
The flames turned to smoke as it broke through, Shepherd keeping his eye on the altimeter - he was waiting for the 20,000 feet marker.
He shot right past it - now it was safe for the planned HALO jump. He punched a button to his left, splitting the SDV in half while he dodged the parts and began to freefall.
He couldn't open his parachute until he was close enough... if he pulled the cord too early, the terrorists would spot him and the mission would be over before it had begun.
He streamlined himself to fall even faster. He began to sweat violently under his helmet, but kept his eyes open. 15,000 feet.
The clouds cleared, and he saw Atlantis. Since the expeditionary team left it had been completely derelict. Everyone had gone their seperate ways. 10,000 feet.
Shepherd had joined FOX-HOUND, along with Ronan and Carter. He had retired. That was before FOX-HOUND turned to terrorism... they must be hoping to establish a base at Atlantis at which to launch an effective strike against Earth.
Shepherd wondered if Ronan and Carter had anything to do with this... and Big Boss, the leader... well, he could hardly believe O'neill formed the group. 5,000 feet.
He began to slow himself down as the water sped towards him. he looked to his left as the control tower in the city some distance away began to rise above him. He pulled the cord and looked for a bay to the ocean he could land in as the parachute rose above him like a shield and slowed him down tremendously.
He landed on a dock and after detaching his parachute, hid it in a disused cargo box. He hid himself from sight by running into the underground Dock. He switched on his radio. "Hammond, I'm in."
