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Chapter Two - A Weapon Against Evil

From the command chair of the Daedalus, Colonel Caldwell watched the view screen, as they neared the newly discovered space hazard.

"-Anything yet?"

Novak double-checked her readings. Even though the alien mater appeared much larger then originally described by Sheppard's team, it still wasn't registering. "No. Sir."

"Send out a probe."

The probe was launched; Caldwell hadn't expected it to vaporize in close proximity to it.

With a baffled look, Novak turned round to face him. "Probe destroyed Sir."

"Contact Atlantis."

After a few minutes wait, they got a response.

"Dr Weir on the line Sir."

"No results from the probe Dr. Weir." In response to his call, Dr Weir's voice echoed around the hull of the bridge.

"So you don't know what this is either?"

"Not yet Doctor. But it does appear to be getting bigger.

"– Recommendations?"

"My philosophy is shoot first and ask questions later. I don't like uninvited guests and I have been given clearance to use force when necessary."

There was a pause. Before Teyla's voice came online.

"Colonel. Imagine for a moment that this thing is not anything that can be identified, because it prefers not to be. Wherever there is life it brings death. Because it is evil, absolute evil.

"-One more reason to shoot first Teyla."

"Evil begets evil, Colonel. Shooting will only make it stronger."

"I appreciate your concern, but I have a job to do. Dr. Weir."

"It's your call Colonel."

"Ma'am."

Caldwell already knew his responsibilities and carried them out. "Fire weapons."

A barrage of weapons was launched. But, like probe, they disintegrated on impact.

"Sir. Object is changing shape!" Novak shouted, as the mass black cloud lit up like a ball of fire.

"Fire again!"

--

Back on Atlantis, everyone in the briefing room listened to the transmissions; up to the point, contact was lost with the Daedalus. It ended with a loud crackling noise in the background.

--

Elsewhere in the Pegasus galaxy, onboard a Wraith hive ship, Michael woke with the sudden awareness of darkness approaching.

--

With no word from the Daedalus, Elizabeth, John, Rodney, Ronon and Teyla continued with the briefing; all hoping the crew survived the mission.

Teyla introduced a big heavy-duty bound book and placed it down in front of Dr. Weir. "Forty-eight days; that's how long we have before this thing becomes unstoppable."

"Why Forty-eight days?" Elizabeth asked.

"According to Dr. McKay's calculations. The darkness will reach Atlantis by then, and our only means of stopping it will be gone."

"On the assumption that it stays on its present course and speed." Rodney interrupted.

Teyla continued and turned the cover of the book, the picture underneath looked all too familiar to John. "The ancients had the only weapon that could defeat this evil...."

"The control chair?" He asked.

"No. That is a key to the weapon."

"…Four keys, gathered around a fifth, the Supreme Being the ultimate warrior, created to protect life. Together they produce, what the Ancients call the light of creation, able to bring life to the farthest reaches of the universe…"

"…But if evil stands in that circle."

"Then what?" Asked Ronon as Teyla turned to the next page.

"Then light turns to dark; life to death. Forever."

TBC

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