Thanks to Rudy Pena for the quick beta

Second chapter, enjoy!

USS Ticonderoga

Cau system

2100 hours

January 25, 2016

The Ticonderoga had arrived in the system not so long ago. First order of business was to find a place to hide while the short range sensors, which were fortunately not damaged at all, scanned the planet. The AI had found the origin of the distress signal; it was located inside a large mountain. The planet was home to a reasonable advanced civilization, nothing comparing with earth nowadays but at the level of the US around 1970, some satellites, even one or two spacecraft. From what the sensors could detect the weapon systems could be compared to those at the beginning of WW2, nothing that could do any damage to them.

"Sir, I have finally found the name of the planet. They call it Cau, and there is only one nation, it's called the Cau Republic." Thrace said.

"Friendly?" Grant asked.

"They seem to be at peace for two hundred years. The last war ended in the unification of all the nations in the Cau Republic. It seems that close to all 700 million inhabitants are happy about their government; at least I can't find any terrorist groups or large issues like civil rights or anything. Perhaps we should send in some raptors to take a closer look, the sensors can only do so much from this far out." Thrace said. The Ticonderoga had taken its place in the asteroid belt of one of the systems gas giants. The gas giant actually shared many similarities to Jupiter. The asteroid belt was capable of hiding them from the primitive sensors of the Cau but also lowered the efficiency of their own sensors.

"Send in two raptors; make sure to them that they are not to be seen." Grant said.

"Yes sir." Thrace said. She ordered two raptors to commence scouting the planet but to remain unnoticed by the locals.

"Sir, we are picking up some strange reading from the planet, it looks like someone is signing in our direction." A young Tok'ra said.

"Any sing that they've spotted us?" Grant asked.

"I can't find anything to suggest that. Perhaps they were studying this area of the gas giant and saw us arrive." The Tok'ra suggested.

"Perhaps they're just trying to signal the other system we found, it is in the general direction of where those signs are going." Thrace suggested.

"Let the AI run a decoder, perhaps we can find out what those signals mean." Grant said.

Thrace summoned the AI which was constantly helping out repairing the ship. The AI received the order and started running a decoding program.

Several hours later the AI returned with the results of the program. The signal was directed at them and a sort of first-contact transmission was sent and being repeated.

"Colonel, what do you want to do? Do you want me to compose a reply?" the AI asked.

"For now we'll pretend we don't hear them, make sure you can send back any kind of message if necessary and ask the raptors for an update." Grant said.

The AI sent a message to the raptors and compiled a dictionary in the code the Cau used. When the raptors sent back their gathered data it was immediately forwarded to Thrace's console.

"It looks like it has already been made public that their SEL program, that stands for search for extraterrestrial life, has found an unidentified object in the asteroid belt of the planet they call Aria. Aria being the gas giant we are currently orbiting. In other words they have found us. One of the raptors reports that the Cau people are a pacifist people and that they seem to want peaceful contact with the aliens." Thrace summoned as she read through the files.

"Any other kind of reaction? Increase of their military DEFCON or anything like that?" Grant asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Their military isn't that large, a few hundred thousand soldiers and reserves, well equipped and trained though but nothing some our troops can't handle." Thrace said.

"Okay, keep an eye out for anything else; if that was all I'm going to my quarters, you have the bridge Thrace." Grant said before he stood up from his chair and walked towards his quarters. When he arrived in his quarters he took a cup of coffee from the pot he had brewing in his own small kitchen and sat down at his desk. He took his tablet pc and started reading all the casualty and damage reports before he went to bed to catch up on some sleep.

0543 hours

January 26

Grant woke up to the sound of his radio; someone was trying to reach him. Muttering something in ancient he put in his earpiece and opened the channel to the caller. "Yeah?"

"Sir, this is Lieutenant Cole, the watch officer. We've got something interesting going on out there." The lieutenant said enthusiastic.

"Define something interesting lieutenant."

"A dozen ships arrived in system just a few minutes ago, we had to pull the raptors back to prevent discovery. There is some communication going on between the arrivals and the Cau but they seem hostile, they've activated their weapons and launched fighters and transports."

"Alright, I'm on my way to the bridge, sound general quarters and have the vipers prepare." Grant said as he got dressed and walked out of his quarters.

Less than a minute later Grant walked on the bridge and took his seat at the command chair. Thrace also just arrived and took the XO's position to the right side of the Colonel. The AI also appeared.

"Sir, the signal has changed, they are not sending out a first contact signal but more something like a 'don't shoot we are friendly' signal, but this time it is focused on the new arrivals." The AI said.

"What are they doing?" Grant asked.

"Not much but it seems that they are arming their missiles." Tico said.

"What classification would you give those new arrivals?"

"Nothing we can't handle. Their technology seems to be Goa'uld tech, but only up to the level of an Al'Kesh bomber, no shields but they do have heavy armor instead. Most of their systems are isolated so hacking won't help us much." Tico said. The fleet consisted of two enormous cruisers making up the core of the fleet while ten smaller destroyers surrounded them. Even though the destroyers were smaller then the cruisers they easily dwarfed the Ticonderoga.

"Move us out of the asteroid belt and make sure they can see us. " Grant ordered.

Not a minute later a signal was received from the planet, directly aimed at them.

"Sir, that signal has been focused on us again. They are requesting help; the new arrivals seem to be hostile to them and are threatening to destroy them if they do not surrender." Thrace said.

"Move us in closer to the planet, raise the shields to full strength but do not yet arm weapons nor launch the Vipers. When you've done that I need you to open a channel to that force in orbit."

"Sir, our shields are only at 20 percent, it will take time to recharge them to higher levels." Thrace warned.

"Just hope we won't need to use the shields. Move us in between the fleet and the planet." Grant said.

"Sir, I have the commander of the enemy fleet on the line." A Colonial lieutenant said.

"On screen." Grant waited a few seconds until the screen showed an old looking man, he was looking angry for the interruption. "Unknown fleet, this is the Tau'ri federation vessel Ticonderoga, please state your intentions."

"What is it that you want, before nightfall this planet will be ours. I suggest you do not intervene." The man said.

"We won't allow you to conquer an innocent race without a reason. If you attempt to do so we will use deadly force to stop you." Grant said.

"How dare you to threaten the Aschen Federacy, we will make you unto dust!" The angry commander replied.

Grant along with others on the bridge was stunned by that revelation, the Aschen hadn't been heard of after the failed negotiations more than a decade ago.

"Sir, their fighters are moving towards the planet and they have aimed their weapons at us." Thrace reported. She obviously missed the shocked faces of most Earth personnel.

"Aschen fleet, stand down or be destroyed, this is your last warning." Grant said to the commander. He leaned over to Thrace. "Thrace, get the vipers launched and send them after those fighters going towards the planet."

"This is YOUR last warning, pack up your fighters and get out of my sight!" the commander hissed in anger.

"Sir, four fighter squadrons are incoming, CDBR 18000 meters and closing in fast." A lieutenant said.

Grant was annoyed by the stance of the enemy. "Arm all weapons and task the railguns to anti-fighter duties." Grant ordered.

"Vampire Vampire Vampire, enemy has launched missiles, 200 plus. Other weapons are opening fire and fighters are engaging!" Thrace said. Alarms started blaring all over the bridge.

"Return fire, all weapons. Tell the vipers to destroy the enemy fighters."

As one the nineteen operational railguns started firing taking down missiles and fighters alike. The enemy fighters turned around in shock by the devastation caused by such a small ship. Only a dozen missiles got through the defense screen. All the missiles impacted the shields harmlessly. Within a minute a defensive screen was established.

"Screen established and our vipers have engaged the enemy fighters, they have been joined by Cau fighters although they are more of a hindrance than help." Thrace said.

"Launch missiles and re-task idle railguns to fire on the enemy capital ships."

Six nuclear missiles sped fourth from their silos on top of the Ticonderoga. While the missiles were en-route to their targets streams of railgun rounds flew by them already damaging the enemy ships. Four missiles were intercepted by point defense systems and the fifth malfunctioned and detonated prematurely wiping out a large portion of the enemy fighters and causing an EMP blinding the enemy ships. The Ticonderoga however was protected against EMP assaults and had no trouble with it. The sixth missile got through the now blinded defenses and detonated against what Grant assumed was one of two cruisers. The cruiser was incinerated and two nearby destroyers were destroyed. The other cruiser suffered moderate damage and kept on fighting. The remaining eight destroyers split up in three groups, one group of two remained behind with the damaged cruiser while the other two groups each flanked the Ticonderoga.

Grant knew they were trying to surround them and ordered the Ticonderoga to close in on the remaining cruiser. As the Ticonderoga closed in, more and more weapons were fired at it. When the Ticonderoga was at point blank range it opened fire with all its railguns and a dozen conventional missiles. They targeted hostile gun mounts and the power core. When the Ticonderoga passed underneath the cruiser exploded violently. The shock of the explosion rocked the Ticonderoga and took the shields down about ten percent.

"Sir Shields are at 7 percent, we are getting reports of minor hull breaches." Thrace said.

"Launch more missiles, target the enemy weapons. If we take those out they won't be able to harm us."

"The vipers are reporting hostile forces landing, they are unable to intercept." A lieutenant said.

"We can't send any marines right now, but as soon as this battle is over we'll send down a number of marines."

The Ticonderoga continued pouring railgun slugs into her targets, only three destroyers were remaining. The other five destroyers had been destroyed, their debris scattered in orbit over the planet Cau.

"Life support is failing on target Delta five, Delta two is heavily damaged and Delta nine has a reactor overload." Thrace reported.

"Destroy Delta two and nine but leave Delta five. Get a boarding party ready to board that destroyer. Have the rest prepare to intercept those forces that landed on the surface." Grant said.

"Beaming systems are off-line, we only have four raptors. We can't send that much people over there without risking them being cut off." Thrace warned.

"We have no other way to get our people over there."

"The Cau Republic is still trying to reach us, what do you want me to do about them?" An officer asked.

"Put them on." Grant said reluctant.

"Hello, is anyone out there? Can you hear us? This is General Meiron of the Cau republic army, can anyone hear me?"

"General Meiron, this is Colonel Grant of the Tau'ri Federation ship Ticonderoga. What can we do to help you with sir?"

"Ah, finally, thank you for responding at last, we've been trying to reach you all day long. On behalf of the People of Cau I want to thank you for taking care of those Aschen. I wouldn't know what we'd have done if you hadn't shown up."

"You were lucky; we reacted to an automated distress call sent out from your planet." Grant said.

"I don't know anything about any beacon, unless you mean our SEL program?"

"No, about a week ago we started receiving an automated distress call from this planet. It has something to do with the protectors of your planet thousands of years ago. It was an automated distress call; it probably detected those attackers and determined they were a big enough threat to you to warrant a call. We arrived here a day ago, did take some damage though."

"Well, I think we need to talk person to person soon. My government has authorized me to invite you to open diplomatic ties between our peoples, is there anything you need?"

"Well, we are currently mopping up the last of the attackers, once that is done I'd like to have a place to land my ship, repairs would be much easier if we're not in space."

"How big a place do you need?"

"Just a few square kilometers of flat terrain will do."

"Can you track the origin of this call?" when Grant positively replied he continued. There is a city, about 200 kilometers north of here, it is our capital, several kilometers to the south there is a clearing, it used to be a military base but it has since long been abandoned and destroyed. If the terrain suits you, you can land there."

Grant nodded to Thrace who had the computer ran a simulation for landing viability which quickly determined it viable. "It seems that our ship will fit. I think we need about half an hour to get things done here after that it'll take about ten minutes to land the ship and another ten before anyone can leave the ship. I'd advise you to stay at least a hundred meters away until you see anyone exit the ship itself, I'll explain later."

"Very well, we'll have a greeting party stand by as soon as the ship is ready. I will be waiting for you colonel. General Meiron out."

The connection was ended and Grant turned towards his XO. "I've ready quite some first contact reports from SG-1, never did it go over so smoothly. This must be a first."

Right at that moment Shaw entered the bridge, wearing full combat gear and a Colonial battle rifle. "Sir, you wanted me to board something?"

Grant just pointed his finger at the last remaining destroyer. "Take all four raptors and bring me back some useful Intel or perhaps the keys to that thing. It doesn't have any air as their life support is down so make sure you have breathing gear packed." Grant said. Shaw walked off but was stopped by Grant. "And get back here in thirty minutes, I want my chief of security present when we bring the ship down to meet the locals, we have an invite." After giving a salute Shaw walked away to join the boarding crews.

Down in the hanger bay, the four raptors were already waiting for the soldiers. Six marines per raptor, each group forming a team of five with one extra specialist. Within minutes the raptors took off and set course for the derelict warship. Several auxiliary airlocks were quickly located and holes were burned through the hull. Minutes later all four teams were on board the ship and their sensors indicated no oxygen but no radiation or poisons so only simple breathing gear would be required. Small shield generators were place to cover the new holes in the hull and the raptors left to pick up new teams from the Ticonderoga.

Since the teams had boarded amidships two of the teams went forwards while the other two teams went backwards. It was a giant ship and nobody knew what kind of internal defenses there could be so they were all alert. All over the ship bodies were spread out through the corridors, most had died from lack of oxygen but some had died due to injuries sustained in the battle with the Ticonderoga. Within ten minutes the auxiliary control room and the bridge had been found. Unfortunately Shaw didn't have time to investigate them properly as the Ticonderoga would soon be going down to the planet. She left the ship to her second in command.

"Sir, Major Shaw's raptor is aboard, we are ready for descent." Thrace reported.

Grant flipped a switch on his command chair and addressed the crew. "Crew of the Ticonderoga, in a few minutes we'll be entering the planet's atmosphere, although this has been done many times I want all repair crews to stop working and get away from any hull breaches and weak areas. Once on the ground you can continue your repairs." Grant flipped the switch again turning the PA of. "Colonel Thrace, this isn't just your first time but it is also mine, take us in, nice and steady."

The Ticonderoga moved lower and lower, quickly picking up speed as the planet's gravity started to pull the ship in. As they entered the atmosphere flames appeared around the shields. The lower the Ticonderoga got the more flames appeared around it. As they moved through the atmosphere they trailed a long trail of flames and smoke showing everyone they were coming in. it took the Ticonderoga two rounds around the planet to reach an optimal approach before they finally slowed down till they only moved with the speed of an old Boeing 747. They could have made a steeper descent as the 303 and 304's used to do back when the program was still a secret but too many risks were involved with it. Just before they reached the landing site they flew over a large lake, at only a few hundred meters above it the heat of the still glowing shields evaporated much of the lake, and it did cool the shields down. Nevertheless several bushes caught fire as they passed over. The movement of air caused by the ship quickly extinguished the fires. Reaching the landing site, the ship's thrusters brought forward momentum back to nothing and gently lowered the ship down to the soft grass. The ship sat down and sank half a meter due to its weight before finally turning its engines off. After a minute the glowing shields disappeared and several hisses could be heard of systems cooling down.

"Colonel Grant, we're down." Thrace said proudly, she hadn't been at the helm for a week and she had already made one of the most dangerous maneuvers known to her.

"Congratulations Colonel, perhaps we can attempt not to evaporate that lake the next time, overall you did a damn great job." Grant stood up and walked up to the screen. "Now power down all systems and have the repair crew continue their work, signal me when it is safe to exit the ship. Have a detachment of marines stand by, side arms only and full dress uniforms for the officers." Grant walked off to his quarters to put on his uniform.

Ten minutes later Shaw, Thrace, Grant and several other officers had assembled near the lower airlock. This was one of the few airlocks that were close enough to the ground to step out without requiring a ladder. Four marines were waiting for them outside the ship wearing only side arms while eight marines were just inside the ship fully armed and out of sight.

As the party left the ship several military trucks approached them. Although most of the trucks carried soldiers, no weapons were aimed at them. One of the vehicles looked more luxurious and less military then the rest. The trucks stopped twenty meters away and the soldiers quickly exited them and took position around them, still not making any hostile moves. The doors of the luxurious car opened and a man in an impressive uniform exited. He walked over to the officers and was accompanied by who seemed to be the commander of the local forces.

"Colonel Grant I presume?" Meiron asked.

"And you must be general Meiron." Grant said as he gave the general a salute. "Sorry about that lake back there, we hadn't thought about the side effects of a planetary entry with a ship as big as ours."

"That's okay, some archeologists wanted to pump it dry anyways, there are convinced that there is some kind of treasure down there, you just saved everyone a lot of money, we can only be thankful for saving money and our freedom from those monsters." Meiron said.

"We only did what was right. Please let me introduce to you my XO Colonel Kara Thrace, my chief of security Major Shaw." As grant introduced the other officers General Meiron shook everybody's hand.

"Before we continue I have a favor to ask you." Meiron said.

"Sure, what is it?"

"We would like your help with driving of the invaders, we noticed that your fighters are very advanced and we hoped they could help execute bombardments and perhaps some support of your soldiers." Meiron asked.

"Sure thing." Grant motioned one of the marines to come closed and asked her for her radio. "Lieutenant Cole, the General Meiron has requested our support in dealing with the invaders, send the vipers and have two platoons move out with the raptors."

"Yes sir, the first vipers are launching momentarily." Lt. Cole replied.

And less than a minute later two vipers sped out of the hanger bay, some of the Cau soldiers were shocked by the speed of the fighters, the ships AI had compared the Cau fighters to Spitfires and B-17's.

"Impressive fighters you have there, Colonel. Tell me, what are they called"

"We call them Vipers, they are designed by a people known as the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, we are currently on a joint mission with them and several other allied races."

"So there are more races out there?"

"Yes there are general, fortunately most of them are friendly. Together with our allies we try to fight those that would act as enemies rather than friendly."

"I would like to learn more about your people and your mission and so does my government. If it is alright with you I would like to move towards a better suited area in the capital city where talks can commence between our two peoples."

"That'd be lovely. I do hope I can take my escort, not that we don't thrust you but it is just procedure." Grant replied.

"Of course. Unfortunately my car is not big enough to accommodate all your officers and escorts, would some of them mind following in one of the trucks?"

"I think that will be possible. Thrace and Shaw, you're with me, the rest of you find a place in those trucks, and be friendly." Grant, Thrace and Shaw walked with the General to his car while the other officers and soldiers found a place in the trucks that were going back with them. Two trucks remained as security personnel for the ship and to troubleshoot if anything came up.

The trip to the capital only took ten minutes, most of the route had been cordoned off and local police and military were patrolling the roads near the route. An honor guard had been assembled at the entrance to the general assembly building, their version of the Capitol. They were lead to a large room housing what appeared to be the Cau republic senate. Above the seats for the senate an area was visible through glass windows, Grant could see primitive cameras and what he assumed were people of the press. He and his officers were seated on a long table obviously quickly set up to host their visitors. The four guards stood in back in their black uniforms wishing they wore the summer variant instead of the winter version. Throughout the senate security personnel were spread, most carried weapons although concealed but some had holstered their side arms on their hips.

General Meiron walked forwards to where a seemingly important person was seated and brought a sharp salute. "Mister President, I would like to present Colonel Grant of the Tau'ri Federation Ship Ticonderoga, His XO Colonel Thrace and his Chief of Security Major Shaw along with several other senior officers." General Meiron said as he pointed to each of the officers. "Colonel Grant, meet President Henry Melios of the Cau republic.

The President stood up and walked over to the table where the officers were seated. They all stood up as he approached them. "Colonel Grant, On behalf of the Cau Republic we thank you very, very much for destroying that hostile fleet. I heard your ship needed to set down for repairs, if there is anything you need just say so and we will try to get it for you." The president said while shaking the Colonel's hand. "Please Colonel; tell us more about your ship and your home world."

"First off I'd like to thank General Meiron, president Melios and the Cau republic for its warm welcome." Grant said. He had to wait for a bit as the senators clapped. When they finally settled down he continued. "I am from a planet called Earth. The Ship, the Ticonderoga is also built by the government on that planet, the newly created Tau'ri Federation. Although the ship is Tau'ri federation the crew is not completely. The mission the Ticonderoga was sent on is an experiment with people from different races and planets. About 22 years ago we discovered to workings of a device known to us as the stargate. The stargate has the ability to transfer someone to another planet instantly. Since the first time we opened the gate we've been exploring the galaxy trying to find ways to defend our planet from threats such as the Aschen that attacked you here today. We've had to fight several wars in those 22 years but most have been won. Unfortunately some are still ongoing, one of those wars led to an all out attack on our home world not so long ago. Eventually the attack was defeated but at a heavy cost. It was during that battle that a distress call was intercepted from this planet. See, we as the Tau'ri have made quite some friends out there and one of those friends, the Asgard had this treaty. The treaty was called the Protected Planets treaty. It was a way to ensure the safety from an enemy that once ruled the stars. The Asgard had chosen most of the planets in this treaty but a few were admitted per request of one of their allies long ago that ally had probably installed an automated warning system on this planet."

"As soon as the battle for Earth was over the Ticonderoga received additional crew and several quick upgrades before it set course to this planet. Unfortunately we didn't know there was an ion storm surrounding this sector of space and a hyperspace barrier –we use hyperspace as a means of FTL travel- pulled us out of hyperspace right in the middle of it. The ship took some serious damage to its most advanced systems in that Ion Storm and was basically crippled as any powered system would be destroyed. Eventually we exited the Ion Storm and scanned the surrounding area. We found two systems. This one and another one with a lot of ships present. We chose this system as it had less chance of detection or hostile encounters. We were observing your planet when the Aschen fleet arrived and showed hostile intentions against your people. It was a hostile action against an innocent and undefended race and our rules state that in such case the commander is authorized to intervene, preferably peaceful but if necessary with force. And we all know how that ended. And now we are here." Grant concluded.

"That is an impressive story Colonel Grant. I am sure the Senate wants to ask you many questions so if they can all come in one by one with their questions so that it won't be a madhouse." President Melios said.

The first senator stood up and walked towards a microphone. "Colonel Grant, could you share some more light on the technological capabilities of your ship?"

"Of course sir. The TFS Ticonderoga is a Deadelus class battle cruiser. The primary task of the Deadelus class is to defend Earth and its allies to any kind of threat and to explore the galaxies. Currently the Deadelus class is the only class currently in service. A second more powerful class of ships is being built. The Deadelus fields several advantages over its predecessors, the Prometheus class. The Deadelus class has incorporated many Asgard technologies and has taken a look at the designs of our allies' ships. Except for the ships of the Asgard themselves the Deadelus class is the most powerful ship known to man and still operated. Systems of the Deadelus class include Asgard Beaming systems, Asgard Plasma beam weapons, an Asgard Hyperdrive, Asgard shields and an Asgard core. Unfortunately most of these systems have either been destroyed or damaged with our arrival here. Fortunately the Deadelus class also fields some Earth designed weapons and systems, like railguns and missiles of which several nuclear and enhanced with Naquadah or Naquadria. Normally a Deadelus class ship would carry 16 earth designed F-302 fighter interceptors. For this mission the Ticonderoga received its fighter complement from one of our allies, the twelve colonies of Kobol. These fighters are called Vipers and because they are smaller twenty could be taken with us. As we speak the Viper compliment is performing air raids on Aschen strongholds on this planet per request of General Meiron. I hope that answers your question with satisfaction?"

The Senator was a little beaten back by the elaborate answer. "Yes, yes it was."

Another senator walked to the microphone to ask his question. "Colonel, you mentioned other races and civilizations like the Asgard and the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, can you tell me more about those?"

"I can tell you a lot about the Asgard, but for a detailed answer on the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, I'd like to give the word to Colonel Thrace of the Colonial fleet." Grant said.

"The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are spread out over twelve primary planets named Caprica, Picon, Virgon, Saggitaron, Scorpia, Tauron, Leonis, Libran, Gemenon, Canceron and Aquaria. Since long there has been war among the different colonies. Usually those wars are about religion and greed. Since the creation of a robotic kind that later rebelled all the twelve colonies are combined. First to fight the Cylons in the first war and later again to fight in the second war, which was won with the help of the Tau'ri. Since the second war the colonies have been expanding their sphere of influence and colonizing other planets." Thrace said.

Grant stood up as Thrace sat down. "The Asgard are an old and intelligent race. When they had the choice to enhance their lives via cloning or remain human and have a chance at ascension they choose cloning. Unfortunately up till a few years ago that decision to clone themselves had led them to nearly die out. It was only with the help of the Tau'ri that they survived. The Asgard were the original protectors of the protected planets treaty, most of the planets were added to keep them safe from the Goa'uld but some were added per request from the Ancients, a race that lived thousands of years ago. These days the Asgard are rebuilding from a long and terrible war in their home galaxy and rarely show up in large numbers. Only in order to defend friends and allies they will send out their mighty ships."

"Furthermore there are many other races, several of those are forming an alliance, most notably for this alliance are the Tau'ri Federation, The Free Jaffa Nation, the Nox, The Asgard, The Colonies, the Tok'ra and several other smaller nations spread throughout three galaxies."

"Colonel Grant, you spoke of enemies, can you name a few?"

"A lot of our enemies have already been defeated; the Free Jaffa Nation was built on the remains of the Goa'uld Empire. The Cylons have capitulated and have moved to the Asgard home galaxy where the Asgard will keep an eye on them. Right now we are just starting a war with a new group, they call themselves the Vanir and are in fact a lost tribe of the Asgard. The Vanir have allied themselves with the Wraith, and because of that alliance Earth was attacked recently. Currently our fleet is repairing the damage done and will soon set of to fight the Wraith and Vanir in the Pegasus Galaxy. And I think we just declared war on the Aschen."

"I might be ahead of things here, but is it possible for a nation like the Cau republic to join this new Alliance you spoke of?"

"As a matter of Facts, the Cau Republic is already part of it, the Tau'ri Federation currently administrates the Protected Planets treaty, and therefore all planets in it are seen as Tau'ri Federation planets and the entire alliance will protect this planet if necessary." Grant said. It caused some shock but also joy. These people seemed to be very welcoming and open to outsiders, not something usually seen in the Milky Way galaxy.

At that moment one of the marine's radio started crackling. "Colonel Grant, please come in."

Grant motioned the marine to give the radio to him after he apologized to the senate. "What is it Cole?"

"Sir, the marines at the Aschen invasion point report massive civilian and military Cau casualties and request permission to bring those most in need to the Ticonderoga." Cole replied.

"Give them the all clear, no weapons use the raptors and free up as much as possible beds. Make sure the local commanders agree, I'll make sure the leaders agree." Grant replied.

"Yes sir. Cole out."

Aschen invasion point

1900 hours

Command center

One of Ticonderoga's raptors just arrived to pick up a new group of wounded. First out of the raptor was a team of medics; they'd start working triage on site. Last to exit the raptor was Major Shaw. She just returned from the meeting with the Cau senate. Now she needed to lead her soldiers from the Cau local command centre. The command centre was nothing more than a few tents grouped together. A kilometer ahead laid the battlefield. The Aschen forces had conquered a small town with about ten thousand inhabitants. The local garrison was quickly overwhelmed but troops from a military base an hour away were immediately dispatched. When the local garrison was destroyed the Aschen forces turned to the population and started killing indiscriminately. The air was filled with dust and the stench of dead bodies. Shaw could hear many different planes and quickly noticed the noise of a group of vipers. A few seconds' later four vipers flew over information before launching missiles at targets in the city. A young Cau Lieutenant walked up to Shaw and introduced himself as the commander's aid. She followed the lieutenant into one of the larger tents and met there with the commander. The commander and his officers were all standing around a large table with an equally large map on it.

"Major Shaw I presume?" the commander asked.

"Yes sir." Shaw said as she saluted the man.

""I am General Vorlog of the sixth Mechanized division, I must really thank you, your raptors are saving quite a lot of lives and your vipers as you call them are a miracle."

"Yes sir, they are. What can you tell me about the enemy?"

"They started out at the strength of an infantry division, about ten thousand men. Since this morning they have lost almost 2000 soldiers while we've captured about 400. Since I arrived they haven't left that city and have begun to dig in. it is taking quite some time to root them all out. It appears they rather die than surrender. Right now it is a house to house fight which is taking heavy casualties on my forces. Because there are still some civilians in the city we cannot use large scale artillery bombardments or airstrikes."

"We, might be able to find out where the civvies are and where the hostile forces are, I'd need at least one raptor for it but it is doable. In the meantime I want to use my troops to clear out hose buildings and give sniper support; we have quite some experience with that."

"That would be very great Major, please do whatever you need."

Shaw gave a salute before heading off. One hour later the vipers started precise bombardments and the troops of the Ticonderoga moved into the city to escort the civvies out and to destroy any remaining Aschen pocket of resistance. When it turned dark the soldiers became even more effective using night vision equipment. Before dawn the Aschen force was destroyed. Several hundred more had been taken prisoner but most were either buried under the rubble of destroyed houses or killed by soldiers. Casualties on the Cau side only decreased as time passed. Shaw's troops lost about a dozen soldiers, usually by collapsing buildings or a lone sniper that managed to hit its target for once before being blasted to bits by missiles launched by vipers.

Please let me know your thoughts and comments, for those who know how I normally respond, someone told me it wasn't allowed to post reviews at the end of every chapter so I'm going to personally answer them.