Stargate Atlantis

04x11

Retaliation

Blue streams of plasma collided with the orange tint of the Aurora's shields, while orange octopus shaped objects collided with the blue energy barrier surrounding the Daedalus class ship, attempting to evade the drones the ship rolls 360 degrees before coming head on the Aurora with full military thrust firing two streams of superheated gas at once. On the command deck of the Daedalus class Odyssey Major Marks strains his eyes as the lights flicker intermittently.

"Shields at 15% sir," Marks called over the cacophony of battle as the bride flashed blue as something impacted the shields. "10%, I can't keep them up much longer sir."

In the command seat Colonel Davidson acknowledged Marks report before reaching the arm of the command seat. "Shepperd, how much longer, we can't keep this up."

Shepperd's voice came with a slight electronic distortion due to the signal amplification. "We've nearly finished the evacuation, five more minutes,"

The deck rolled to the side as the inertial dampeners failed to completely compensate some of the crew were nocked clean across the bridge. Marks pulled himself up to his console.

"Shields are at 8%, I'm using the ZPM to try to recharge them but I can't get enough power to them." Marks cried out as he frantically used his controls to keep the energy barrier that was all that protected the Odyssey from the onslaught of the Replicator built Ancient warship.

"I can't give you that Shepperd, 2 minutes max."

To Davidson's left an officer called out that the Aurora's shields was about to collapse, Davidson desperately called out to whoever was in control of the weapons to take them out.

The Odyssey rolled desperately to avoid five drones, two overshoot and turn to head back towards the target while three hit head on causing the Odyssey to loose directional control flipping over before running head on the Replicator warship, four streams of plasma impacted the orange barrier while the next hit dead on impacted the front of the Aurora. Causing an explosion with enough concussive force to force the Aurora downwards as a barrage of plasma streams take on the ships formidable hull armour causing massive damage as the Odyssey flies past the aft section of the Aurora firing another barrage directly into the engines causing the entire ship to go up. Just in time two as the two drones that missed have just re-entered range but power down as their power source doesn't exist anymore.

As sparks rained down from the ceiling Davidson wiped some sweat from his forehead.

"Shepperd report,"

"All natives have been evacuated back to Atlantis sir, we're heading out now,"

Davidson rolled his eyes muttering 'now they're done'. "Marks, damage report."

"Shield at 5%, life support operating at 45%, hyperdrives just spooling up, plasma beams are online and ZPM is at 65%."

Back in Atlantis Shepperd, Teyla and Ronan arrive to see McKay up in operations, however McKay has clearly spent far too long up as he is sagging against the dialling console to the irritation of the technician there, with dark circles under his eyes holding a now cold cup of coffee in his left hand.

"Shepperd, the next planet on the checklist is PX9-87G, you have ten hours till the replicator ships arrive, dial it up." McKay staggers up to the deep space sensors as the 'gate is dialled out; Shepperd briefly looks up in sympathy as they enter the wormhole to the next planet.

McKay phased out until in incoming wormhole started to open.

"Report?"

"Dr McKay the wormhole is coming from M3M-9Y8, and we're receiving Lieutenant Cadman's IDC," Chuck reports looking a lot livelier than the head of science.

"Let them in" McKay watches from the balcony as Cadman enters the city followed by a group of refugees that she beckons into the lost city of the Ancients, but to the horror of the people there the wormhole starts to destabilise, the liquid blue event horizon flashing white and phasing out before failing. In a blink of an eye Cadman dashed up the stairs into the control room, before she can get there McKay is already at the dialling console.

"Dial them back," he turns to look up into Cadman's eyes before turning to the subspace communication panel. "Get the Daedalus and Apollo on the line, and find out what happened"

"Lieutenant, report,"

Cadman looked briefly startled before answering.

"The Replicators arrived early, from what I heard from the Daedalus and Apollo the light cruisers arrived before the Auroras, I think they're onto us."

"Dam it," McKay swore. "This is the second time this has happened."

He once more sagged against the console.

"Colonel Carter still in negotiations?" Cadman asked concern in her face as McKay nodded in response.

"Dr McKay we have a channel to Colonel Caldwell," one of the technicians told him looking up from their console.

McKay nodded in response so the technician manipulated the controls causing Caldwell's voice to come through over the speakers.

"This is Daedalus to Atlantis, reporting that all refuges and Cadman's team are on board, we're withdrawing now, Daedalus out." McKay smiled in relief, this wasn't the first time the replicators had shut down the planetary stargates, he glanced up at Cadman to see the relief in her eyes at her team's survival.

The sound of steps clanging on metal came from overhead as Colonel Carter came down the stairs clearly in a far better state than Dr McKay, she rubbed her eyes before looking up at her head of science.

"Dear god, McKay how long have you been up!" Sam asked her eyes wide with surprise and concern.

McKay turned to her looking to all observers to be a walking corpse rather than a human.

"'bout 48 hours since I took charge up her, can't remember how many hours before," he responded groggily while leaning heavily on one of the raised consoles.

"Get some sleep now, that's an order!" Sam cried out looking at her subordinate as he prepared to fall over into unconsciousness.

"Before, I go I should report that Shepperd's has gone on to PX9-87G to continue evacuation efforts, I took Major Lorne's team off rotation when he showed up with half of them being dragged back with serious burns. I've enlisted Lieutenant Johnson to keep order on the West pier, according to reports some of the refugees are showing signs of discord and lastly, and probably the most importantly the replicators seem to be aware that we can only track their Aurora class ships, their smaller ships seem to be ahead of their Aurora's in order to keep us on edge. Lieutenant Cadman's team are on board the Daedalus due to damage to the stargate."

"Okay, Rodney, you've done a good job go get some rest," Sam said raising a hand to calm placing it on his shoulder. Rodney for once agreed without protest and turned to leave the control room before stumbling; Cadman raced forward and caught him. Before McKay could process she manoeuvred him so she supported some of his weight, she turned back to Carter.

"I'll get him to his quarters Colonel, if that's alright?"

Carter nodded as Cadman half-dragged McKay down the stairs, before turning to Chuck.

"He was doing a good job at running things, till he started to lapse into unconsciousness." Chuck smiled wryly up at her.

Sam in return groaned and ribbed her eyes.

"Is there any process on shutting down the replicator attack command?"

Chuck looked down at the floor shaking his head.

"No ma'am, Zelenka reports that even with the Wraith's help they've been unable to succeed."

Sam let out a breath of frustration, what she wouldn't give for an Asgard right now.

The Daedalus and Apollo speed through hyperspace at a speed just above their maximum recommended safe velocity, especially with the damage inflicted during battle with the replicators. Their ships were based on Ancient designs, while not their latest versions used in the siege of Atlantis, but powerful enough to pose a serious threat. Both of the human cruisers were armed with the latest Asgard weapons they installed on the Odyssey to combat the Ori ships. However the replicator ships were bigger, with more powerful shields, thick hull armour and the ability to fire multiple omnidirectional weapons that can swiftly overwhelm their own Asgard designed shields. Only the Odyssey equipped with a ZPM can hold out long enough to take them out, the Daedalus and Apollo had to tag-team the enemy ships.

Caldwell surveyed the ships bridge; there was heavy damage, scorch marks from overloads. They were heading back to Atlantis as the ship was badly overcrowded and the already damaged life support systems were operating at over full capacity, and levels were building up.