Area 51
United States
Nevada
Earth 2005
Two ranks of pristinely uniformed American soldiers snapped to attention, a ripple of blue uniforms and gleaming metal. Their boots echoed in the underground facility buried on the inhospitable edge of the Groom Lake flats relatively close to the surface but protected by an array of alien devices. The soldiers were lined up left and right beside a podium bearing the mark of the United States Air Force, and behind it was a huge dark window behind which nothing could be seen.
General Landry made his way forward to the podium around the two dozen or so guests in the room, most in some form of uniform or other formal dress. Each of them watched him as he assumed the podium and prepared his speech.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Area 51, everything you may have heard on the internet is entirely true."
A few chuckled, but most of the room had no idea.
"I would like to greet the people in this room who come to us from afar, General Franklin most of you already know." The older officer nodded at the mention. "But I'd like to formally welcome General Ryan, formerly of the Destroyer Alexander and Ambassador Vir Cotto of the Centauri."
Now that had been a shock, Earth force was practically livid when President Sheridan had announced the short Centauri representative was going to be visiting Earth. So far only the senior members of the ISA knew the whole truth about the gate and Emperor Mollari had been told relatively little. Landry had been informed by General Ryan that there was a Cold War brewing with the Centauri and relations were at an all time low. Earth had it's hands full with the Drakh right now, but there seemed little doubt as to what the next war would be.
Which made Vir's presence that much more remarkable.
However of all Centauri Vir was perhaps the one most open to the possibilities this gate offered. He was not a power grabbing manipulator like most of the Centauri government had turned into, and while unquestionably loyal to his people he had shown doubts about the way Centauri Prime was heading. If the Emperor had any sense left he would listen to Vir, and the Ambassador would spell out exactly how big a mistake it would be to attack the ISA when it had allies with this level of technology.
"While we were expecting General O'Neill to be here he has unfortunately been detained in Washington, ironically a very Earth bound problem involving Iran. As operational commander of the SGC it therefore falls to me to conduct these proceedings." He stepped to one side to provide a view of the dark window. "May I prent, the Odyssey, latest ship to join our fleet."
The lights behind rose showing the docking bay through the window, inside lay a silver and grey warship of purposeful appearance and quiet determination. It bore the same basic design as the preceding ship, Daedalus, but had been modified to incorporate the systems tested out on the earlier ships. Its weapons were in purpose built housings giving a cleaner and leaner look to the hull and improving their firing arcs, the design now bristling with small calibre weapons and a handful of larger cannons.
There was a general round of applause as Landry stepped down. "The Launch commences in fifteen minutes, which gives us all enough time to step outside, if you'd care to follow the airmen we'll show you the way up."
They began to move through the base toward the surface access, General Landry moving to catch up with a few of the guests.
"Doctor Weir." He smiled. "I'm sorry I couldn't talk when you arrived."
She laughed lightly. "I understand how time consuming it is to run a major civilian and military facility, no need to apologise."
Weir had arrived with a small group of team members to report in person the activities of the Wraith and what secrets Atlantis had yielded. They were due to return with Colonel Caldwell who was also present for this event.
"I understand Atlantis is safe." Landry remarked. "A relief for all of us."
"You can say that again." Weir exhaled. "Got pretty close for a while there."
"Have you seen any signs of the Wraith since the battle?"
"None, Wraith activity across the known worlds seems to have stopped, but they'll be back." Weir said. "I guess they're rebuilding as we speak."
"Then it's a good thing we are too." Landry said firmly. "With the Odyssey and her sisters we will have a solid battlegroup to engage Wraith ships two or three to one with a solid chance of success."
"I hope so General, Wraith ships might not be as well defended as a Goa'uld ship but they have plenty of firepower and no reservations about using it." She shook her head slowly. "We are responsible for bringing the Wraith out of hibernation early, we need to do something about it."
"Eighteen burning Hive ships are a powerful message." Landry replied. "We will not abandon Atlantis, or Pegasus to the Wraith. I promise it, and I know General O'Neill feels the same."
The group stepped through a camouflaged doorway onto the surface, wincing a little under the hot desert sun as they gathered at the side of the hangar bay doors similarly disguised to look like empty desert. While the area was still fairly popular with UFO fanatics most people had concluded it was all one big joke and written off the sightings as secret Air Force jets, which ironically was true. Area 51 remained a useful test centre, but the real construction work was taking place in a number of World War Two era navy yards quietly reactivated and expanded along the coast. Three 304 class ships were under construction there, with a fourth a week or so away from completion at Area 55 in Utah. Coupled with the new Earth Alliance ships behind the Moon and the satellite gun platforms Earth was going to be in safe hands.
"I've been looking forward to this all week."
Landry was confronted with the smiling face of Michael Garibaldi, celebratory cigar already lit.
"Mr Garibaldi, glad you made it."
"I wouldn't miss this for anything, besides I heard my team lost which blew my other plans for today. Lousy Dodgers."
The Odyssey and her sisters contained a lot of technology donated by Garibaldi's people and incorporated with reverse engineered Goa'uld and a little Asgard tech by the Area 51 team. The trials of pure EA tech on Daedalus and hybrid tech on Prometheus had proven generally successful allowing a fully integrated system to be deployed on these new ships. They used a hybrid Goa'uld/Earth Alliance crystal computer systems and combined Tachyon and laser targeting systems from Earth Force with subspace scanner multiband sensor suites from Asgard and Goa'uld sources, and even more secretive Asgard systems usually monitored by a member of that race on Special deployment. They had Asgard based shields and a Naquadah fusion reactor heavily enhanced and modified by the Area 51 team to the point that it held little in common with it's Goa'uld original design. She used an Asgard based Hyperdrive and a brand new design of Ion engine combining Hebridian and Earth Alliance principles into a fast and efficient system.
But on top of all that were the weapons, twin sixteen inch rail guns running on either side of the main hull equipped with a wide selection of ammunition types were probably the most potent of the ships guns, especially with a volatile Naquadriah round currently under development. She retained the missile batteries of her predecessor with Earth Force EM Launch rails and extremely high end ion engines. She also mounted three dual purpose Laser/pulse cannon turrets; one on the upper forward hull and one on the side of each flight pod pylon. These guns used the hybrid system trialed on the Prometheus and while much smaller than the main Earth Force laser guns thanks to a better power distribution system they were equal to an Omega class' forward batteries. The pulses they fired were an even more impressive technology mixing Human and Goa'uld tech to create an entirely new class of weapon, one which could outshoot the biggest regular pulse weapons on Earth Force or Goa'uld ships and it was believed 1 perhaps 2 full salvos could bring down a Ha'taks shields. They did however consume a great deal of the ships reserve power and had a nasty recoil.
Point defences came in the form of multiple rail guns and a full interceptor grid fully tied into each other and capable of operating together against incoming fire or fighters. The icing on the cake was a squadron of the latest F-302B interceptors armed with Pulse cannons and EA engines, plus the usual power and sensor upgrades and a carefully shoe horned in hyperdrive. It was hoped to give these fighters shields based on a modified Abbai design, but for now their lightning speed and tiny sensor profile did enough to keep them alive.
Another Air Force officer in dress blues joined the pair, providing a quick salute to Landry.
"General Ronson, good to see you." Landry returned the salute and then shook hands. "How's Washington?"
"As boring as Jack says they are." The officer chuckled, "Luckily I've been spending most of my time at Vandenberg." Ronson was landry's opposite number, while Landry commanded the SG teams and the Gate itself Ronson was responsible for those Starships under the United States flag, initially it had been one ship but within a few months it would be a solid battle group. Both of them answered to O'Neill who was in line for a rapid promotion to Major General with his new job.
"You've met Colonel Caldwell?" Ronson waved the powerful looking officer over.
"Not yet." Landry returned a salute. "I heard about your command of Daedalus, she's had a hell of a career."
"Thank you sir, she's a good ship and the best crew on the planet." Caldwell said. "That's where the credit belongs."
"There's talk of a unit citation." Ronson announced. "The President wants to pin enough gold and silver on you to bankrupt the treasury."
"Well they deserve it sir." Caldwell nodded. "Anyone who fought at Atlantis went above and beyond."
An airman interrupted to whisper something in landry's ear before departing.
"They're ready." The SGC commander informed the small group. "General Ronson, if you'd join me up front."
The two officers stepped forward and called the group to attention, focused on the area where the ship would rise from.
"General Ronson." Landry stated formerly. "As general Officer, Stargate Command I hereby transfer responsibility for the United States Ship Odyssey BC three oh four dash two to your command."
"As General officer, United States Deep space command, I accept this vessel into service." He snapped a textbook salute which was answered by Landry, formally bringing the Odyssey out of construction and into active service.
There was some brief applause as the two General's stepped back to the group, and then the ground began rumbling as massive pistons and hydraulic systems began to retract the massive bay doors.
"Quite a ceremony." An immaculate female voice said simply. "It seems no matter where you travel Pomp and ceremony exist, one of those facets of civilization found on a thousand worlds in a thousand galaxies."
Ronson and Landry looked to the speaker, a mature female in black clothing. If she was warm in this heat she revealed no sign of it and retained a closely guarded expression. Most notable was the lack of hair under her lace headwear.
"Ahh, ahh, hello." The small man introduced as Vir stepped forward. "May I introduce Lady Morella, wife to the previous Emperor." He paused. "The previous, previous Emperor. Lets just say one of the Previous Emperors, Turhan." He bobbed his head and shrugged slightly. "I was waiting for the right time for introductions, after we'd had a little to drink to help smooth the passage of democracy, as Londo liked to say."
Vir seemed nervous, perpetually so in fact, and being one of only two Centauri in this universe surrounded by humans wasn't really helping. Nor was his company, he found Lady Morella more than a little bit disturbing especially after their last meeting.
She was however afforded great respect by both Centauri and the ISA, as a wife of the last Emperor to be actually liked by most of the ISA worlds she wasn't tarred with the same brush most Centauri currently were. Vir also fell into this category, labelled as 'mostly harmless' by the former League and Narns.
"Lady, I hope your visit here has been pleasant." Landry said in his best courteous voice.
"It has, and I thank you." She replied. "I found these projects interesting, and your dedication to removing the oppression facing the people of the galaxy admirable."
The SGC staff, Garibaldi and even Vir seemed rather surprised at that.
"But I wonder, why is it secret? This is a noble endeavor and one that does not need hiding."
"It is for the needs of our society my Lady." Landry answered. "Our people are not ready to know that aliens exist, we cannot predict how they would react to know the dangers we face on a daily basis and how close we come to destruction from time to time."
"You worry they will live in fear." Morella considered. "But do they not live in fear anyway? Fear of each other? Perhaps replacing that distrust of your different subspecies with the knowledge of a greater threat would unite your world?"
"It is our ultimate goal, to bring humanity together not just on Earth but wherever they live." Landry nodded. "We have seen one example now of how it can be done from your universe, we are confident we can do the same here, but not until we are positive we can defend ourselves."
"Then I will tell you now General, this matter you call 'disclosure' will not be a decision you make, it will be forced upon you."
Landry frowned. "My lady?"
"Make your preparations General, your people will find out the truth soon, you must be ready to assure them they are safe." She lowered her head and turned away. "please excuse me, I must speak with General Franklin, I must talk to him of his son."
As she moved away Vir drew closer to Landry.
"Lady Morella is something of a rarity in my people, well in any people. She is a seer, a prophetess, she can tell the future."
Landry gave him a sceptical look. "How is that possible?"
"Nobody knows." Vir said with an innocent expression. "A few have the same gift, but it is very rare. But Lady Morella is never wrong, at least not so far. When she says something, listen."
The hum of engines started up as the hangar doors fully retracted and the Odyssey powered up. Garibaldi was smiling widely as he clapped his hands together. "Ever seen one of these up close?" he asked General Ryan.
"This is the first." The portly Earth Force officer replied. As aide to General Hague and a leading figure in the Clark resistance Ryan had made a lot of friends and enemies, but his long campaign of evading capture and raiding infrastructure with minimum casualties had marked him out as a particularly skilled officer. He had been given General Lefcourt's old job at Deep Space exploration command making him Captain Gideon and Anderson's superior officer.
"Rare to see a ship this big up close." Garibaldi was still grinning. "We help build them, both the technology inside and the construction process. Lets these guys build them in about a third of the regular build time."
"We've benefited too." Ryan acknowledged. "I just oversaw the first Earth Force hybrid cannon trialed on the Alexander. Total success, the Drakh won't know what hit them." He chuckled. "Those things pack a hell of a kick, we've had to install small scale inertial dampeners to take the recoil. Each turret costs a fortune, especially something as big as an Omega forward gun. You should see the cost of putting them on Warlocks."
"How about shields?"
"Well that's harder." Ryan admitted. "We can install the system and projectors but powering them is trouble. Our newer ships like the Victory class have the raw power to run them but the others will need dedicated reactors, I'm here to try and squeeze some more Naquadah for trials, IPX is screaming for more of the stuff."
The hum intensified and slowly a shape began to emerge from beneath the desert.
"I give you the Odyssey." Landry grinned. "Lady Morella, would you care to do the honours?"
The ship hovered at the edge of the hangar and with precise movements turned to bring its bow to face the group a few feet away. Landry handed the Centauri noble a bottle of Champagne and stepped back. Having being already informed of the custom by Vir she gripped the bottle and regarded the ship looming in front of her.
"May the fates bless this ship, her crew, and her mission." Then with remarkable strength she hurled the bottle at the cruiser before Landry could rig it to the more traditional apparatus alongside. It shattered in a spray of white foam and green glass, the crowd cheering and clapping as Odyssey rose slowly at first before pointing her bow skyward and accelerating away.
"Hell of a pitch." Garibaldi grinned. "She should sign for the dodgers, middle aged Centauri aristocrat would probably be the best player on that damn team."
"She'll make a good ship." Landry told Ronson.
"We sure need her." The other General agreed. "Emerson's the man to command her. I better get going, Prometheus is on stand down and I have a briefing with Lionel."
"Then I won't keep you. Take care General."
Caldwell also began to move away. "I need to go too, we'll see the Odyssey out then we're heading back to Atlantis, I'm sure Doctor Weir would like a lift?"
"Wouldn't say no Colonel." The slender female smiled. "Good to see you General Landry."
"Next time, call me Hank."
As Caldwell stepped back for his ship to get a clean lock with the Transporter he brushed against Lady Morella. In that instant the Centauri woman caught a glimpse of his future. She stepped quickly back as white light took Caldwell and the Atlantis team.
"Phew." Ryan grinned. "Glad IPX doesn't know you guys have one of those."
Vir watched the shape of the ship vanish into cloud cover. "Only humans make something that square with that many guns."
"That man, he commanded the sister ship of that vessel." Morella asked.
"Yes, the Daedalus, luckiest ship they have."
She shook her head. "Not for much longer. I saw their future. I must get him a message, a warning before it is too late."
High above Caldwell materialised directly on the Daedalus bridge, Major Foster greeting him as he arrived.
"We have clearance to leave sir, coordinates for Atlantis laid in, hyperdrive ready, all stations closed up and manned."
"Very good Major." Caldwell took his seat. "Mister Miguel, do you have Odyssey on scanners?"
"Aye sir, coming up on our starboard side."
"Major, match course and speed. Put us alongside."
The Daedalus began to move, lining up so it intercepted the brand new ship and fell into formation alongside as they left orbit and passed the Moon. The two ships were more than just trinium blocks with guns, they were the first signs of a new galaxy, one build not on oppression or domination but on freedom. For the first time in thousands of years the galaxy saw warships built to bring freedom, not destroy it.
"Caldwell to Emerson, welcome to the club."
"Glad I made it without the usual humiliating initiation ceremony." His opposite number joked back.
"That happens when you get back." Caldwell chuckled. "Did I tell you what happened during the Daedalus acceptance trials?"
"Finding a whole new universe of people to piss off? Yeah, you mentioned it." Emerson replied.
"And taking out a planet killer." Caldwell added. "That was my favourite moment, don't forget about that."
"Do they have to lower your chair so they can squeeze your head into that ship?"
Caldwell burst out laughing. "Nice comeback. All I'm saying is our trials turned into a battle, and the Prometheus' first flight was a crisis in it's own right, so watch yourself Colonel. Things don't usually go to plan."
"Acknowledged Daedalus" Emerson confirmed. "Thanks for the tip, and the send off."
"Call it a guard of honour. Good luck Colonel, and this is a family we have here. Welcome to it. We'll see you next month." Caldwell stated. "Have fun."
"God speed Daedalus." Emerson replied. "We'll see you then."
The two sister ships parted ways and flashed into hyperspace in different directions and onto different paths to destiny.
Lucien Vessel 'Free Trader'
"Prison again." Mitchell grunted. "This officially sucks."
Once more the team had been disarmed and placed in cells, this time in pairs rather than one whole group separated by thick walls. For his sins Mitchell was with Vala.
"Pity about Tostig." She shrugged. "I knew I should have taken out a second insurance policy."
"You mean sleep with more of the crew?" Mitchell scoffed. "You mean we're on a ship where you haven't worked over the entire crew yet?"
She gave him an icy stare. "It got us out last time didn't it?"
"yeah but this time our guard is a woman, and I don't think she plays for the other team." Mitchell said carefully.
"Well then, it's up to you to seduce her and get us out." Vala said. "Get to work."
"Me?"
"Yes, what are you waiting for?"
"A thunderbolt to fall from the sky and shut you up so I can think this over." Mitchell snapped. "There has to be a way that doesn't involve me looking like a fool."
"Well you were a fool to get caught so easily after I worked so very, very hard to get us out. You owe me. Now get naked and start dancing in front of the bars."
"Not going to happen."
"Either you get naked and seduce the guard, or we are tortured and executed. Your choice."
Mitchell glared at her.
"Well?" Vala pushed.
"I'm still thinking which would be worse." Mitchell answered. "Damn it, damn it to hell in a handbasket!"
"I'll give you directions." Vala grinned incredibly wide as Mitchell gave in. "I know what women want to see, do as I say and it'll work perfectly."
"If this doesn't work…" Mitchell snarled as he began undressing. "I am going to get cranky."
Vala's smile did not falter.
Five minutes later she was yelling like a drill sergeant at Mitchell. "More swing in those hips, imagine you've got rhythm!"
Mitchell had held back from remove all clothes, but Vala still had him dancing around in his underwear. He felt a massive fool, but if it got them out it was worth it.
"Over here!" Vala yelled. "Guard! You have to see this, it's horrible!"
"Do you mind!" Mitchell retorted.
"Just dance, let me do the rest." Vala grinned at the sight. "trust me."
"Never again." He muttered.
They were rewarded by the sound of footsteps in a corridor outside, Vala shouted louder. "Over here, get me out! Quick!"
The pace of the footsteps quickened, growing closer.
"Dance!" Vala ordered. "Dance like you've never danced before!"
Mitchell put as much effort into it as he could, pushing back the feelings of total embarrassment and focusing on the goal.
"Turn around!" she said quickly. "Shake your ass, do it!"
Mitchell obeyed, and the footsteps skidded to a halt behind him at the gates.
"Oh….My…"
Mitchell froze solid. He hadn't been on the team long but he knew Samantha Carter's voice when he heard it.
"It would appear we have arrived at a bad time." The low voice of Teal'c observed. "Shall we return later?"
"Get me out of here." Mitchell stood up slowly. "Right now."
"Galen… well he freed us." Carter said haltingly, her eyes still fixed on the bizarre sight.
Mitchell forced himself to turn around and noticed Jackson and the Mage were also stood there, Jackson completely failing to find words and just filtered through a variety of frowns trying to find the appropriate one.
"Very well." Mitchell stood straighter in his best imitation of dignity. "How did you get out?"
"Well, mostly by magic." Galen smiled.
"You palmed the guards key." Vala said. "I saw you while her head was turned, very sly move."
"Well, yes, having the key made life easier." The Mage admitted. "Fortunately I've put a little hex on the security system, the computer still thinks we're in the cells and the guard is fast asleep."
"You knew?" Mitchell stared daggers at Vala. "You knew he had the key, and you still made me do this!"
"Well, we don't have an entertainment cube in here, so I had to make my own fun." Vala was trying very hard not to laugh. "You were better than I thought, if you wanted more instructions…"
"We're leaving." Mitchell yanked on his clothes. "If anyone on base finds out…"
"Not from me." Jackson blinked. "I think I'm blind."
"Not funny." Mitchell snapped. "Now lets get our guns and get out of here before something else goes wrong."
The team recovered their guns and ammunition quietly enough, again their full equipment had been kept in one lightly guarded place, a sign of overconfidence on the part of the ship's Captain. By now Carter was as familiar with the inside of a Ha'tak as Teal'c was and they had no trouble finding their way through the ostentatious ship.
"Alright, we're back." Mitchell paused outside the corridor to the secure store room. "And this time we have surprise."
"Been a day for surprises, hasn't it Samantha?" Vala hinted mischievously.
"Watch your fire inside." Mitchell ignored the comment. "We don't want to damage the vials, otherwise we have to get more and I'd rather just gate out straight away."
"What about the Ancient facility." Daniel asked. "We can't leave it to the Lucien Alliance."
"When we get back we can have Landry call in help, Prometheus maybe able to secure the planet. Hell I bet ISA will send half their fleet when they learn the cure is here."
"We just have to make it home." Carter nodded. "I'll watch your back."
"Already seen it." Vala remarked, then activated her stolen staff weapon. "I'm just going to kill people, they tried to cross me."
"Were you not going to cross them?" Teal'c asked.
"Beside the point." Vala said with wounded pride. "They used me to go into a place full of deadly diseases with no warning. I consider that bad business practice. I still have a lot of years left in me."
"The seedy nightclubs of the galaxy can rejoice then." Mitchell commented. "Their in house entertainment will be back soon."
"You know," Vala smiled. "After your performance I can find a job for you in one of them. Between the singing monkey and the bearded lady."
Mitchell bit back a comment, trying to avoid getting drawn in. "Lets go."
The swept around the corner and drooped the two guards with Zat fire before they had a clue what was happening. The team took positions and moved by pairs into the store room, Vala and Galen bringing up the rear.
"Teal'c, Carter. Watch the door." Mitchell ordered. "Everyone else spread out, make it fast."
The store room was bigger than expected and crammed with boxes. To search through every single one would take an eternity but fortunately both Vala and Galen had some scanning technology to help the process.
"This one." He put his hands on a box. "It contains a sample of the virus and the cure."
"We should take them both." Dainel said. "Keep them out of Lucien hands."
"Sounds good." Mitchell agreed and Galen took the small box. "Ring room."
Vala darted forward, making a very noticeable jingling noise as she ran. "Don't even think about judging me!" she snapped.
"She helped herself to a selection of jewels." Galen smiled. "I know a woman who would get on very well with her, a thief by trade but shall we say less generous with her favours. I met her…" he stopped. "Oh dear, we've been discovered."
"Vala! Wait, they're on to us!" Mitchell shouted.
She made it out of the doorway and into the corridor before stopping and turning.
"If you think I'm going to fall for…"
She was cut off as a burly guard tackled her and vanished down the corridor.
"Contact!" Carter called, and seconds later energy rounds began impacting around them.
"Return fire!" Mitchell shouted dropping down beside her and firing a burst from his rifle, ricochets sparking on the bulkheads.
"I see two squads blocking the corridor to left and right." Teal'c reported. "Unlike Jaffa warriors they are aware of how to use cover."
"Keep their heads down." Mitchell ordered. "Vala?"
"They took her that way." Carter replied. "Do we go after her?"
Much as he didn't like her, Mitchell didn't really want to leave her here. "I can't see how we can."
"I might be able to set something up." Galen announced. "I need ten minutes, can you keep them at bay that long?"
"Worth a try." Mitchell said, loosing another burst. "Conserve your ammunition, I doubt they'll rush us so just keep them pinned."
The clatter of automatic fire mingled with the sizzle of energy blasts as Galen found a calm centre and searched for the appropriate solution.
"They warned me about you." Jerrel sneered. "Said you would be nothing but trouble, but I still gave you a chance to serve."
Vala stared the Lucien Alliance Captain straight in the eye, she had been carried roughly to the Pel'tak, the main bridge, and now stood under guard facing this lecherous former slave.
"You took less convincing than most." She said proudly. "I didn't even have to charm you."
"Well, if you want to try and bargain your way out of this you better think of something very inventive."
"Well," she stepped forward. "If you close your eyes and…"
As she drew his attention she snapped a kick into his groin area and jumped back, snatching a staff from a distracted guards. In three swift moves she had the guard unconscious on the floor and was working on the next.
The second guard jabbed his staff at her, allowing Vala to neatly side step and swing her own. He ducked and with a whirl of black hair she altered the trajectory of her swing to loop around and slam into the back of the guards knee. His stance buckled and Vala reversed her staff bringing its weighted end into contact with the warriors temple, neatly dropping him to the floor.
Her escape attempt halted with a click.
"That hurt." Jerrel snarled, an Earth made hand gun acquired from some Jaffa rebels in his grip.
"That was the idea." She dropped the staff. "Well I suppose we need another way to work this out?"
"Not this time Vala." Jerrel kept the gun on her. "Your friends surrender and hand other the product, or you all die. Starting with you."
"They won't do it, they actually have morals."
"We'll see. Now get on the ship wide speakers and tell them my terms."
"Ready yet?" Mitchell yelled over the gunfire.
"Ready." Galen confirmed. "When I step through the door each of you must find immediate cover. Fast."
The mage moved with the sort of stateliness most associate with wizards and as he entered the corridor his team mates broke contact and headed to a row of boxes away from the door. As the fire stopped the Lucien troops began to break cover and move forward and capitalise on the situation, coming face to face with Galen. Understandably they opened fire.
The barrage of energy was stopped by Galen's personal shield, rippling and bending the heat and light around his black robed form as he silently focused his energies and raised his black staff. With a final word he dropped its base into the deck and released a massive storm of lightning. The blast wave rushed out on a circular pattern with a gust of wing and electricity flinging the Lucien soldiers back and bouncing them off the walls. The effects lasted just seconds, but it was enough.
"All clear." Galen announced.
Mitchell led the team out, stepping over the dozen or so bodies. "Magic?"
"A little elemental sorcery." Galen smiled. "Not my usual field of expertise, but it served it's purpose."
"I expect the ring room is well guarded by now." Carter mentioned. "I have a plan."
"A good one?" Mitchell asked.
"Well, better than your last plan." She stifled some laughter, he wasn't ever going to live that down. "We go to the secondary control room and shut down life support in that sector, it'll force them to evacuate. Then we set it up to turn itself back on after five minutes just in time for us to show up and run."
"They will likely have guards on the planet." Teal'c suggested.
"We'll have surprise. Again." Mitchell said. "We can handle them."
"And Vala?" Daniel asked. "We can't leave her, though there's a good argument there."
"Leave it to me." Galen said. "Take this vial, I'll keep the other." He handed over the cure. "If I do not return make sure Matthew gets that sample to his people."
"We'll wait as long as we can."
"Appreciated, now we all have somewhere to be. Be seeing you."
Using their knowledge of Ha'taks the team made it to the secondary control room with remarkable speed, finding it completely unguarded. On the way they heard Vala announcing in very bored tones that she was to be executed if SG-1 did not surrender. For their posturing the Lucien Alliance were surprisingly similar to the Goa'uld in many ways.
"Teal'c and I will try to override the systems here." Carter took a look around. "We'll need maybe five minutes?"
"Alright, Jackson come with me, we'll secure the corridor and keep trouble out of your way."
Carter immediately set to work, moving coloured crystals back and forth trying to discern the correct sequence.
"Colonel Carter, you should be made aware of this." Teal'c said "We are not alone."
She peered around from the edge of the panel she was working on to see Teal'c was right. Sensors showed three separate Ha'tak class ships in place over the Ancient facility.
"That's not good."
"It is likely there is a very large contingent of soldiers on the planet below."
"Colonel, we might have a problem!" Carter called.
Mitchell ducked back through the doorway and had the screen pointed out to him. "Company?"
"They're probably getting ready to clear out the whole facility." Carter guessed. "Even if we find a way to stop this ship the Lucien Alliance could still get away with the Shadow Virus."
"We need to get word to Earth and warn them as a priority." Mitchell ordered. "Alright, new plan. Get us communications control and try to find an ID on those ships, we need to get Prometheus or Daedalus out here to hunt them down."
"I do not believe that is necessary." Teal'c pointed to the screen. "General Landry has sent help."
Odyssey
He had been right, Colonel Caldwell as ever had been completely right. There was no such thing as an uneventful shakedown cruise, it was like a curse that every SGC vessel would have an eventful first journey. He hoped the ship after this one did better.
"Three Ha'tak class ships." The first officer Major Marks warned. "Signals indicate they're Lucien Alliance."
"Right on top of the underground base SG-1 deployed to." Emerson grunted. "So much for equipment failure."
"We're being hailed."
"Lucien vessels, this is Colonel Paul Emerson of the Earth vessel Odyssey, we are here on a peaceful rescue mission."
"Colonel, I am Captain Jerrel and I have your people in jail." A lean man appeared on screen and spoke curtly. "You will stand down and not interfere with our mission."
"Captain, what reason do you have to detain SG-1?"
"The Lucien Alliance does not explain itself to you." He sneered. "Back off or watch them all die."
The screen cut out leaving Emerson fuming. "Already, pull back ten thousand clicks." He looked across the bridge. "Sensor status?"
"Operational sir."
"Try and get some readings from inside that ship, look for radio signals or battery power signatures. Anything made in the USA."
"Or Taiwan." Marks remarked. "Beginning scan."
"Then let's see if we can't figure out a way to get our people out past their shields."
"It's the Odessey." Carter recognized. "She's supposed to be on trials."
"Hell of a trial, can she take three Ha'taks?" Mitchell watched the ship adjusting its position relative to them.
"Maybe." Carter guessed. "If she was fully armed she could do enough damage to knock them out before her shields failed."
"Problem is when you say knock them out, you mean us."
"Unfortunately yes sir, any weapon that can rapidly knock down a Goa'uld shield would also cause critical damage to the ship within." She shrugged. "General O'Neill liked the idea of one shot kills."
"Assuming the vessel is fully armed." Teal'c added.
"We need to get them a message, any chance Carter?"
"Shouldn't be too hard."
"We have to let them know we found the cure for the Drakh Plague, then find a way to get it to them."
"And also let them know not to utterly destroy this ship." Carter added. "I might have a way to bring down their shields from here, but they're going to know about it."
"We'll make sure you're not interrupted. Ready Teal'c?"
"Indeed Colonel Mitchell."
"Get them a signal Carter, then work on the shields. We need to get that cure out, and with the shields down we can beam up Vala and Galen too."
"I'm on it." Carter ducked back under the panel.
"Well then," Mitchell grinned. "Turning into a pretty eventful first mission."
"Indeed it is." Teal'c answered, then followed him out to reinforce Jackson.
"The Earth ship has considerably greater shield strength than us." Jerrels helmsman reported. "It's weapons are unknown, but we do not detect any Naquadah enhanced bombs."
"Our records show the Tau'ri ships are woefully under armed, we are quite safe here." Jerrel grinned at Vala. "You better hope your friends surrender, if not I will take great pleasure in your death."
"You threaten like a Goa'uld." Vala sighed. "Without the glowing eyes and voice of doom it just sounds tacky."
He chuckled coldly. "You should have just taken the money and done the job."
"You cheated me."
"You'd still be alive. Probably."
"Well, lets see what happens next. I don't think the Tau'ri respond to threats, even from actually threatening people, unlike you." Vala smiled. "You're going to get your arse kicked."
"One ship." Jerrel smiled. "Against three? I don't think so."
"Their ships are better than you might think, I've been onboard one."
Jerrel took a moment to consider that. "Tau'ri are primitives."
"Their ships aren't so simple, they've incorporated a lot of advanced systems from Goa'uld to Asgard."
"Really?" Jerrel grinned. "Thank you Vala."
She blinked. "For what?"
"For giving the Lucien Alliance another business opportunity. We're going to take that ship. Open a channel."
If Vala wasn't tied up she'd have punched herself. "Aw F…"
"Message Colonel." Major Marks reported. "Lucien flagship."
"Well we better hear it." Emerson grimaced. "Patch it through."
The leering face of Captain Jerrel once more appeared on screen. "Earth vessel, we have a new deal for you."
"A deal?" Emerson was not impressed.
"You want your people back safe and well, am I correct?"
"That's right, and we are willing to negotiate."
"Very good, negotiations are always preferable to violence." He grinned. "Especially when you are outnumbered."
"What do you want Captain?" Emerson said pointedly, he was losing his patience with this man.
"Simple, your ship."
It took Emerson a long moment for the incredulous request to register. "You want the Odyssey?"
"I would prefer a Ha'tak, but for your people a fair trade. We let your SG-1 leave, and your crew can gate home safely. If you refuse we kill your team, and then probably take your ship by force."
"Just what the hell…"
"Five minutes." Jerrel interrupted. "Make the right choice."
The image blinked out leaving Emerson fuming in the centre of the bridge.
"Orders sir?"
Emerson slowly turned to face the crew. So much for a training cruise. "Battle stations."
Carter pushed the last of the coloured crystals into place and was rewarded by the panel lighting up with a hum. She tapped the radio at her shoulder twice to let Mitchell know she had a channel open, then stood and activated the system.
"SG-1 to Odyssey, come in Odyssey." She broadcast.
There was a burst of static, long enough for her to have a flow of doubts about whether she had wired it correctly or whether the Luciens were jamming her, but then the static cleared and an English speaking voice answered.
"SG-1, you have no idea how glad we are to hear from you."
"Feeling's mutual, we were just looking for a ride home."
"Call us General Landry's Taxi service." The other voice chuckled. "We can beam you out if you are all in the same location, but the shields need to come down."
"I know, we're working on it but if we try and bring the shields down the Alliance will be on us in force."
"Then I guess we need a way to keep the crew busy." From his tone Carter knew the Odyssey commander was grinning. "Do what you have to Colonel, we'll keep these guys occupied."
The message ended and Carter immediately raised Mitchell on the radio.
"Colonel, I've made contact. The Odyssey is going to draw the Lucien attention while I bring the shields down, then beam us all off."
"Thanks Carter, so I guess it's going to get bumpy?"
"I would say so sir, yes."
"Great, captured, poisoned, humiliated and now caught in a space battle. What a day."
Carter chuckled. "Don't worry sir, sometimes we have to do something really dangerous. This counts as pretty average."
The sirens sang out again, but this time it was because of the danger outside.
"I'm starting now." Carter began pulling out wall panels, she'd have to open nearly a dozen. "Even with the Odyssey we can expect some attempt to stop us."
"We're ready. Good luck Carter."
"Yes sir." She went to work. "Hell of a way to earn a living."
"Fools." Jerrel dismissed. "But if they want to die who are we to deny it."
Vala looked over to the main view screen and watched the Odyssey line up for battle. The angular vessel was turning fast and angling in from a flank so the Lucien ships couldn't concentrate fire. She had to appreciate the spectacle, but was also acutely aware that the chances of seeing a ship like that coming into attack and then surviving were not good. She had recognized Prometheus as a tough little ship and that was apparently just a prototype, this new ship outside was a lot bigger and bristling with weapons.
"Mind if I go down to the planet?" She suggested.
"Scared?"
"Smart." She replied. "I don't like looking down the barrels of a dozen very big guns, no matter where I am."
"You're not going anywhere." Jerrel scoffed. "All guns fire at will, launch Gliders and signal the Al'kesh to attack."
"You have Al'kesh?"
"This is a big investment, we have everything." Jerrel said dismissively. "A little Asgard technology will be worth a lot on the open market, I imagine Ba'al will pay well for it.".
"Captain, there is a power fluctuation in the shield grid!" an officer warned.
"What? How?"
"Interference from the secondary control room."
Jerrel snarled. "It's them."
"Scared of a bunch of primitives?" Vala smiled.
"You shut up." He snapped at the raven haired woman. "You, take a team down there and just kill them."
"Yes Captain." The warrior stood to attention before rapidly departing.
As the Earth ship closed in the first orange rounds streaked out, much to Jerrel's satisfaction.
Odyssey
"Enemy vessels locking on." Marks reported. "They're firing."
"Evasive Starboard." Emerson ordered, he'd been waiting for them to take the first shot and now was legally clear to open fire himself. "Interceptors engage the central ship, try and keep one of the Ha'taks between us and the others."
Marks shifted the Odyssey's heading and swept around the nearest ship, the interceptor batteries hurling streams of white out to catch the fire from the enemy ships. Emerson didn't know how they worked, in fact neither did the Earth Force scientists who had provided the system, explaining it was reverse engineered Ancient technology. All Earth Force knew was that they did the job, and that was enough. The SGC ships were such a patchwork of widely different systems it was a miracle they could fly at all, but it seems ingenuity and adaptability was something Earth was becoming famous for in two galaxies.
The problem was two fold, first interceptors degraded over time and needed to cool down, certain applications based on Asgard principles had helped this process keeping the Odyssey's interceptors firing for longer than the usual type but they still wouldn't last for ever. The second problem was numbers, they had enough mounts with enough of a rate of fire to knock down all the rounds from one Ha'tak and about half the shots from another, but with three enemies they were going to need their shields.
Marks brought the ship in a fast loop doing a good job of avoiding most of the incoming rounds, but as they moved closer the Lucien gunners had a better target.
"Shield impact! They're holding!"
"Lock onto the nearest Ha'tak." Emerson ordered. "Heavy rail guns, two round standard pattern, fire as you bear."
The warship performed a sharp turn, throwing off the aim of the Lucien gunners. A pair of heavyweight Morbidium rounds dropped through the breach and an instant later were slamming into the nearest Ha'tak. Its shields rippled in gold energy and the ship itself was pushed half a mile sideways before its engines recovered.
"Damage to target shields, looks like we took about a quarter of their strength." Marks reported.
"Outstanding Major." Emerson beamed. "Drop more rounds into the chute, I want an eight round Salvo pattern, lets finish this one and go on to the next."
"New contacts, Al'kesh!" Marks called. "Five of them coming in from the far side of the planet."
"They're going to try box us in." Emerson guessed. Normally he'd send fighters to handle the Al'kesh, with each fighter hauling a MK VIII ship killer they'd make quick work of the corvette sized vessels. Unfortunately while he had two launch bays full of fighters he didn't have pilots to fly them.
"Give us some distance." He ordered. "Recalculate firing solution and stay on that Ha'tak. Keep us moving and don't let them pin us! Pulse cannons, you got the Al'kesh. Rail guns watch for Gliders."
The Odyssey swung around and broke contact with the capital ships under a rain of multicoloured energy bursts. The shields glowed as heavy bolts struck it where the interceptors failed and the Lucien gunners got lucky. The warship was silhouetted in orange and white, striking out in every direction as the Lucien forces closed in and tried to surround the hard fighting cruiser.
"Company." Jackson warned. Beyond him heavy boot steps banged down the corridor.
"At least fourteen." Teal'c cocked his head. "Most likely former Jaffa."
"You can tell that from just listening?" Mitchell asked.
"Yes I can." Teal'c smiled with what could have been pride. "I was well trained in the service of Apophis."
"Well that's neato." Mitchell slapped his shoulder. "Take cover by the bulkhead, I'll support Daniel. Watch for us running this way with bad guys on our heels."
Mitchell headed around the edge of the corridor and knelt down opposite Jackson, both armed with assault rifles. While an archeologist by trade Jackson had been forced by circumstances to take a more open minded view to blowing stuff up, mostly through watching the practical examples provided by O'Neill, over and over again.
"Ready?" Mitchell whispered loudly.
"More or less." Jackson replied. "If it helps you're doing a good job."
"Really?" Mitchell grinned. "thanks."
"If we get out alive I'll be really impressed." He took the safety off the rifle. "I mean really because this is pretty bad."
"This is a bad situation?" Mitchell looked over. "Worse than that time you went to hell."
"It's right up there, like I said if we live I'll be impressed."
The conversation ended as the first troops came into view, dressed in good old fashioned Jaffa battle armour and armed with staffs. Mitchell reacted instantly, opening fire on the leading warrior with a deafening burst of fire not helped by the enclosed space. Two warriors dropped as the armour piercing rounds went clean through their breast plates and out the other side, followed by a third as Jackson joined in. The Jaffa did not dive for cover like other Lucien soldiers, instead they flattened themselves against a wall and opened a rapid fire from their staffs.
Mitchell winced as a staff blast impacted near his head, feeling his skin tauten with the heat. He quickly changed his magazine and fired again. Beneath them the ship lurched.
"What was that?" Mitchell yelled.
"I'd guess about two hundred megatons!" Jackson shouted back. "Lets hope our friends outside don't get enthusiastic and vaporise us all accidently."
Mitchell agreed with that, only in this job could a guy get accidentally nuked.
Odyssey rolled hard as a fresh torrent of fire came in from the Lucien flagship, rotating to bring her least damaged shields to bear, a broken wing from a glider bouncing of the energy field and spinning crazily away as the warship continued firing.
"Al'kesh at six by twenty, heading straight in!" Marks called.
"Forward batteries fire at will!" Emerson commanded, his ship shaking from multiple hits. "I want them out of my way."
The former Goa'uld bomber rose up over the Odyssey bow and began a barrage from its turrets glancing off the forward shields. In response it was transfixed by a red laser beam that pushed into it's shields and cored straight through, slicing the bomber apart without much trouble. The Al'kesh shattered under the enhanced energy weapon and its shards were flung in all directions as the cruiser sped on.
"Rail guns armed and ready, auto loaders set."
Emerson would have preferred some Naquadah tipped rounds, but sheer brute force would have to do. "Let 'em have it."
The Odyssey made a last second correction, cut two more gliders out of the sky, then opened fire with its twin rail guns. The massive rounds were the size of a small car but thanks to the materials used weighed as much as a decent sized building. Even without a nuclear tip they were moving fast enough to cause a lot of trouble for anything in their way, and Emerson was sending eight of them at the nearest Ha'tak at nearly point blank range.
The Lucien vessels shields stopped the first couple of salvoes, but the last pair of rounds went straight through and crashed through the heart of the Ha'tak, leaving exit holes the size of the Prometheus. With its insides shattered the Ha'tak fell dark, little more than a broken husk.
"That's a kill." Marks confirmed. "Remaining ships are closing in."
"Stay mobile and go for the next one in line." Emerson said. "leave the flagship, keep it at bay but nothing too destructive."
The Odyssey blazed past the wrecked Ha'tak, it's fire never slackening, and lined up on the second enemy vessel.
"You know there are a few words I could teach you to express your feelings right now." Vala offered. "Some are very colourful, you just need to pick up their entertainment broadcasts and…"
He gave her a vicious stare, telling her he was as mad as she hoped. "What is their weakness?"
"Excuse me?"
"The weakness in that ship we can exploit."
"It's a new design, how should I know."
"I just lost a ship, and the second is preparing to jump." Jerrel said darkly. "How do I stop them."
"My professional opinion?" Vala smiled. "You're screwed."
The ship jolted as a laser beam scored its shields leaving gold energy ripples in its wake. Odyssey raced by the viewer in a flash, barely registering as the flagships weapons tracked it towards the second Ha'tak.
"I suggest you wave goodbye to your associates."
Jerrel struck her with a back hand, snapping Vala's head around.
"I take it you ran out of witty comments then?" she chuckled. "You should have left this place alone."
"Bring the hyperdrive online." He ordered. "We're leaving."
"No." a new voice caught his attention. "No, you're not going anywhere."
Jerrel saw the speaker was a man in black robes, holding a staff in one hand and a selection of control crystals in the other.
"Glad you could join us." Vala grinned.
"Had to take a little detour to the engine room." Galen smiled. "Now Captain, about your people on the planet and things you are not ready to play with."
A staggered volley of pulse and laser beams lanced into the side of the escorting Ha'tak, it's shields rippling and buckling under the strain. The Odyssey's shields were slowly collapsing under the strain and it's interceptors were running hot, but the vast debris field in it's wake was as much evidence as anyone could want to prove how well humanity had integrated the knowledge of others into a working starship. With the exception of Asgard vessels and perhaps the very biggest Goa'uld command ships the new 304's were the most fearsome ships on the block.
The intense return fire peppered the Earth ship as it broadsided the former Goa'uld vessel, rolling to bring the maximum number of guns into their arcs and then lining up for an alpha strike. The rail guns spoke again, the two rounds impacting the weakened shields and overpowering them, leaving the Ha'tak to rely on its armour alone.
"For one good Naquadah missile." Emerson grunted. While mostly battle ready the Odyssey hadn't been outfitted with their top of the range enhanced Nuclear missiles or rail gun warheads meaning they couldn't simply obliterate the enemy vessel. "Pulse cannons, she's all yours."
Marks rolled the huge ship like an F-15 and brought their upper hull to face the Ha'tak, interceptors still working hard and Gliders sweeping back and forth, many bursting into flames as point defences found their targets. The triple pulse cannon turrets snapped around and fired a salvo on the Lucien ship, highly compressed orange bolts trailing a comet tail of plasma sliced through the hull and dumped super heated material through the vulnerable interiors. Massive plumes of fire burst from the Ha'tak hull and debris was flung in half spherical patterns as the hull bent and ripples as shockwaves passed through the metal.
"Energy fluctuations." Marks warned. "She's going critical."
"Move us away, fast." Emerson ordered. "Maintain fire."
The Odyssey snapped an overhead turn, firing another salvo of pulse rounds on the dying Ha'tak as it pulled sharply away. The Gliders and last Al'kesh also moved quickly away as the Ha'taks core disappeared in an expanding cloud of energy and fire reaching out to engulf the warship and completely destroy it. As quickly as it flared the light vanished leaving molten hull fragments and residual plasma glowing as it escaped from conduits.
"That's two." Emerson nodded. "Status?"
"Shields below ten percent, interceptors at fifteen." Marks warned. "We can take that last Ha'tak but we have to do it fast or we'll be defenceless."
"We wait for SG-1." Emerson said plainly. "Once they're safe we'll finish the job."
The bridge shook again causing sparks to fly at the rear of the bridge as another high energy bolt slammed into the shields.
"Maintain evasive action, and deal with that last Al'kesh." Emerson ordered. "Then lets hope our people have some of that legendary luck on their side."
"Run Away!" Mitchell shouted. "Go!"
Jackson skittered back to the next bulkhead as staff blast filled the air around him. He slid to a halt and was instantly laying down suppressing fire. "Go!" he called in turn, and Mitchell began to fall back.
The Lucien forces had sent more people than expected, and with a full scale battle outside probably more than was wise, reducing damage control and gun crews to root out SG-1. Captain Jerrel seemed to take things rather personally. Of course having hostiles onboard was probably reason enough to send a security team, so in retrospect Mitchell shouldn't have been too surprised.
The leapfrog continued, Mitchell setting up covering fire while Jackson retreated, then his team member returning the favour as they inched back towards the control room. The Lucien forces were dogging their heels, advancing at the same rate Mitchell and Daniel were retreating and accepting the losses as they moved closer. One of them was thrown down by five rounds from Jacksons rifle, two more dropped to their knees and returned fire forcing the scientist to duck behind cover.
"Need some help here!" he shouted out.
He was answered by more blasts from Mitchell, but the former Jaffa warriors pushed on, three more collapsing but a dozen more charged forward, rushing into the gunfire as Mitchell faltered.
"I'm out!" he dropped the rifle and withdrew his sidearm. "Jackson, just run!"
As Jackson prepared to bolt for the control room a large shape crossed his path. It was Teal'c, the large warrior stepping out into the middle of the corridor into full view of the Lucien forces with a Zat gun in each hand. With complete calm he opened fire with both weapons, a constant stream of blue energy coursing along the corridor catching the Lucien warriors by surprise. Within three seconds the corridor was silent, with just the click of the Zat guns closing up.
"Whoah." Mitchell stood up. "That was nice shooting Tex."
Teal'c responded with his customary raised eyebrow.
"He has his uses." Jackson smiled. "Thanks."
"You are welcome Daniel Jackson." He paused. "More warriors are coming."
"We can't hold here, we'll pull back to the control room." Mitchell ordered. "Take positions by the door."
He picked up a Zat from the nearest Lucien soldier and then followed the two older team members back to the room Carter was working in.. She was sat on the floor surrounded by crystals and open panels.
"How's it going Carter?"
"Nearly ready." She said. "Let's hope Odyssey is ready, we'll only have a few seconds."
"She still out there?"
"Yes sir, and she's taking names. We're on the last ship, the other two are history."
"Well that just rocks." Mitchell grinned. "Okay people, another couple of minutes. Let's try and give these guys something to remember us by."
"Our shields are almost gone." Marks said from his station, a hail of sparks rainning down on him as damaged life support conduits hissed in the background. "We can't last much longer, either we end this now or we have to withdraw."
"We're giving them a few more minutes." Emerson stated firmly. "Boost power to interceptors, and keep us mobile."
The Odyssey dipped again, avoiding half a dozen of the rapid fire rounds from the flaship, Jerrel had clearly decided not to leave despite the odds of his survival. Emerson guessed it was a stupid thing for him to do. With two Ha'taks and five Al'kesh plus two Dozen Gliders reduced to embers and salvage Jerrel must have been sure the items stolen from the Ancient Facility had the value to make these losses balance out, otherwise he was going to be making one hell of a loss on this venture.
"Shield fluctuations in the Ha'tak." Marks noted. "They're going to come down any second."
The main bridge would take control very quickly after Carter worked her magic, they had to do this quick.
"Ready transporters, prepare to transfer shield power to the interceptors." He huffed. "Then we'll handle this guy."
The Lucien soldier slid on his back through the doorway, half a dozen bullets in his chest.
"They're getting closer!" Jackson yelled.
"Well Duh!" replied Mitchell. "Carter, talk to me!"
"Nearly there!" she had to shout above the gunfire, staff blasts starting to impact close to where she was working.
Mitchell dropped the last clip from his sidearm and resorted to the Zat gun, dropping one more Lucien guardsman. There was a clink, and three white metal orbs bounced heavily into the room through the doorway, stun grenades.
"Uh oh." Jackson grimaced. "This isn't nice."
Mitchells world turned white, he forced his eyes shut and raised his arm expecting his senses to be scrambled by the device. But they weren't, and the light quickly faded leaving him still apparently conscious. He opened his eyes again and made sure his team were all similarly healthy and stood around him.
"SG-1, I'm Colonel Paul Emerson, welcome to the Odyssey."
Mitchell registered the officer stood before them in standard olive flight suit, and that they had exchanged one ship's control room for another.
"Now that's timing." He grinned.
"Yeah." Daniel agreed. "Good timing."
Teal'c suddenly raised a concern. "Where are Galen and Vala Mal Doran?"
"Who?" Emerson asked. "We thought it was just you guys?"
Mitchell turned to the grand window, the Ha'tak still firing on the other side. "We still have people on there, we have to get them."
"With respect we've been in the thick of it for fifteen minutes, we can't take much more." Emerson said pointedly. "If you need us to stay we have to do something about those guns."
"Carter, can we take out the Ha'tak guns without destroying the ship?"
"If we knock out the shields with Rail guns the laser cannons should be precise enough to do the job, but I'd have to fire the rounds at the exact velocity needed to overload the shields without punching straight through and causing massive damage to the ship."
"Colonel Emerson, with permission?"
The ship's commander nodded. "Odyssey stands ready, weapons control is over there."
The ship jolted as the Ha'tak gunners found their range.
"Maybe a little evasive action?" Mitchell suggested.
Emerson smiled. "You read my mind, Major Marks, make it happen."
"You will return those crystals." Jerrel said, gazing furiously at the robed man.
"Of course." Galen smiled. "As soon as Vala is released and you return all that you have stolen to the facility below."
Jerrel looked at the two guards who had staffs trained on Galen. "How about you hand them over an in return you get to live."
The mage smiled. "Ever herd the expression 'bitten off more than you can chew?'"
Jerrel nodded to the guards who charged their weapons.
"Or the term 'Technomage?' No actually, perhaps not that one." He cocked his head in thought. "Perhaps the term 'Angel of Death' may be appropriate."
"Will somebody kill this pretentious fool." Jerrel snapped. "His voice is getting on my nerves."
Finally able to do violence the two guards fired their staffs, only for the blasts to be absorbed by Galens shield. They fired twice more before the Mage unleshed a push of gravity and sent them hurtling out of the Pel'tak and down the adjoining corridors.
"Don't test me Captain, I am losing my patience." Galen stepped forward. "You will surrender this ship and leave, or I will kill everybody on it."
Jerrel held his ground. "You haven't shown me anything that a Goa'uld can't do."
"You don't want to see what I really can do." Galen lowered his voice. "Order your people to stand down."
"No."
"Last chance."
"You really don't scare me, in fact take away your…"
Galen moved fast, pressing his hand against Jerrel's chest. There was a moment of pain, and then a cold feeling in his chest slowly spreading.
"You have been infected with a Nano virus, not dissimilar to the one you were going to steal." The Mage said conversationally. "It can't be transmitted to others, and works fast. You have ten minutes before your eyes melt and your brain runs out of the holes. Care to negotiate?"
"Good bargaining chip." Vala commended.
"Thank you, it does tend to get to the point." Galen nodded. "Stand down Captain, or die in a very unpleasant fashion."
"Never!" Jerrel snarled. "I won't walk away from this!"
"Well, that much is true." Galen remarked. "I hope you weren't planning an open coffin."
The ship shuddered a little as a pulse cannon blast caught it's shields, dimming the lights for a moment.
"Better think fast." Vala said. "I don't think you've got long left."
"I can shut this ship down myself." Galen leaned in. "But it would be very showy and not very subtle, it would be easier if you did it. Killing people puts me in a bad mood."
Jerrel dropped to his knees, wincing in pain.
"Order it, now." Galen leaned in. "Or I will make it much, much worse."
"We're ready." Carter announced. "Rail guns rigged for a crippling shot, after that their hull will be wide open."
"Our shields have got a few more hits in them," Marks said. "Enough to handle this."
"All right then." Emerson stretched in his chair. "Line us up, Colonel Carter you are clear to fire at will."
The view from the bridge window altered as the Odyssey came about, the perfectly clear material looked like simple glass but was in truth a sophisticated Asgard composite material which existed in a state between solid and liquid, a mystery to anyone who examined it.
"Locking on." Carter confirmed. "Rounds loaded… wait, their shields just went down."
"Confirmed." Marks reported. "And their weapons, I'm reading a general power down."
"Hold fire." Emerson stood. "Comms, open a channel."
"They're already hailing us sir, putting it through."
The screen to the side of the bridge blinked on revealing a familiar bald man and a dark haired woman.
"Good to see you two made it." Mitchell held a genuine smile. "You convinced them to surrender?"
"Just a question of making my point clearly." Galen smiled. "They are withdrawing from the base beneath us, might I suggest you send some people down there to make sure they abide by my terms?"
"We have a team on board, and I'm sure General Landry can send more teams through the gate." Emerson commented. "I'll get a message to him."
"Galen, do you still have it?" Jackson raised the obvious question. "Do you have the cure?"
"I do, we can take it home as soon as possible." He smiled. "Once we're secure here we can return to the planet and begin mass production, then finally we can bring salvation to Earth." He paused. "The other one."
"I'll have a team join you there." Emerson nodded.
"Thank you Colonel, and congratulations on your ships test flight, I'd say it succeeded."
The message ended and Emerson made ready to secure the ship and the site.
"Well, I guess we did it." Jackson said. "Nice work Colonel."
"You can call me Cam." He grinned. "Or Shaft."
"I think I'll go with Cam." Daniel frowned a little. "Yeah, definitely."
"We should take a sample of the cure back to the SGC straight away, just to be safe." Carter suggested.
"I'm with you on that." Mitchell confirmed. "Colonel Emerson, mind sending us down to the planet?"
"Not a problem." The Odyssey commander smiled. "Pleasure working with you SG-1"
"Likewise Colonel."
Within a few seconds the Transporter flashed again, and Mitchell smiled widely to himself.
"Hell of a first day
