"The elementals have engaged the enemy," Jarro reported needlessly. The hologram showed the battle in great detail.
A blue lance lept out from one of the Earth vessels, impacted the flat side of one of the elementals…and utterly destroyed it.
Nella blinked in surprise. "Their weaponry is impressive," she said as more of the block-like elementals swarmed around the four alien ships. Most were moving too fast to target accurately, but the Aschen commander saw two more winged by the blue plasma and subsequently explode.
"As are their shields," Jarro added, studying the telemetry the elementals were relaying back to their command ship. "Their shield matrix is quite complex, far more so that whatever they have powering it."
"Pull back," Nella ordered.
Jarro typed a quick series of commands into his console and the elementals responded immediately, breaking free of the engagement and fleeing Earth orbit towards a rendezvous position near to the second planet's orbital zone.
"What have you got?" Nella asked.
"The computer estimates that five elementals are necessary to defend against their primary weapons…two for their lesser."
"Maneuverability?"
"We will retain the advantage over their three larger ships, but we will be at a disadvantage to their fourth. Smaller as it may be, it appears to be constructed of more advanced technology. We have little data on its shields, the elementals had a hard time targeting it."
"Countermeasures?"
Jarro inclined his head in thought. "Possibly, but a simpler explanation would be its narrow profile coupled with mobile attack patterns."
"Similar to our own," Nella said. "How do its weapons compare?"
"Inferior in power to the others, but with a much higher firing rate. It is possible that we are looking at a prototype craft…or an ally."
"That complicates things. How many elementals do we have left?"
"One hundred sixty four from the first wave," Jarro reported.
"Engage twenty clusters of five. The remainder will remain in singles to keep their smaller ship occupied. All ships will maintain mobile attack patterns."
"What of the others?"
"Patience, Jarro. We need a complete assessment of their capabilities before we commit the bulk of our forces."
"I agree, but have you considered the possibility that they might have summoned reinforcements from elsewhere?"
"That is always a possibility," Nella reprimanded him. "Regardless, we will proceed according to protocol. Once the elementals reconfigure have them execute a micro jump into attack position."
Jarro nodded and began imputing the necessary commands.
"This is weird," Sheppard said as the attackers retreated just as the battle began.
"I agree," Bra'tac said, rubbing his chin. "Be on guard. I do not believe they have given up yet."
"What are those things?" Ford asked.
"Whatever they are," Rodney answered, "the Asgard beam weapons on the 304s cut them to ribbons."
"You think that's why they pulled back?" Ford asked.
"Not that I'm a military strategist," Rodney said irreverently, "but yeah, I'd say that's a distinct possibility."
"You know, I think I liked it better when you were a galaxy away," Ford told him.
"Oh yeah, then why'd you come?"
"To see my Grandma and Grandpa," Ford told him.
"Really? You didn't strike me as the sentimental type."
Ford shook his head dismissively. "I was crazy for not shooting you when I had an excuse."
"Enough!" Sheppard interrupted. "We've got bigger things to worry about."
"Indeed," Bra'tac echoed as he pointed at a specific point on the hologram. During the battle a number of vessels had appeared alongside the command ship outside the system…there were 26 of them, and they appeared to have the same dimensions as the original block that split up into the pieces that had attacked them."
"Oh, that's not good," Rodney said quietly.
"Aye," Carson echoed, "but you're forgetting the bio weapons already on the planet. Unless you get me…us, to some sort of medical facility, we're not going to be of any use up here."
"That will have to wait," Bra'tac said as the blocks disappeared from Venus orbit and suddenly were upon them again. The pilot of the Alket accelerated the ship to attack speed.
"Here we go again," Sheppard said, putting one hand on a bulkhead for support. The forward viewport swung around on the tail of what looked like several blocks stuck together. Four golden globs of plasma lept out from the Jaffa ship and impacted its rear shields just as an Asgard beam struck it from the other side.
The blocks' shields held…and their five beams targeted the Kerensky simultaneously in response.
Likewise the Asgard shields on the 304 held, which began a brief slugging match between the two ships. Two more, nearly simultaneous beams from the Kerensky succeeded in destroying the multi-craft, but the Russian ship was under attack from seven more of them plus several of the individual units.
Two quick blasts hit the Alket's shields as the Jaffa vessel swung around behind the Kerensky and targeted one of the multi-crafts attacking the Phoenix. As they did, a dozen more individuals tracked toward the Alket, lighting up the Ancient shields and the space around them with their brief, yet elongated energy blasts.
"They have adapted their attack," Bra'tac commented as the pilot swung the ship to and fro, trying to shake off their pursuit. "That first engagement was merely a test of our abilities."
"If we can just keep from getting blown out of the sky," Sheppard said, grabbing Jennifer by the arm as she started to fall due to an extreme turn to port, "the 304s look like they can handle them."
Bra'tac inquired the Alket's battle computer for the status of the allied vessels and received holographic stats around the ships. A thin bar above each ship indicated their shield strength…all of them were below 50%."
Another of the multi-craft exploded under the Phoenix's guns and Bra'tac did a quick assessment of the battlefield. There were 16 of the multi-craft left, 54 of the singles, and rapidly depleting shields on the Tau'ri ships. Even the Alket's shields had been diminished by 25%, and given the kill rate they were managing it was going to be a close call as to who was going to come out of this conflict as the victor.
Three of the multi-craft coordinated their attack on the Sun Tzu and fired their enhanced beams at a single point on the 304s shields. The Asgard designed matrix absorbed most of the energy, but the beams lasted long enough to overload that particular square meter of the energy field and allowed the last wisp of their weapons to hit the hull.
A small explosion mushroomed out from the port side of the ship as the hole in the shields resealed itself almost instantaneously. Two crewmen, however, were in that particular section of the ship and died from decompression before emergency bulkheads snapped into place behind them, preserving the rest of the ship's internal atmosphere.
Bra'tac took note of the damage and the alarming fact that by combining their craft together they had increased the power of their shields and weapons beyond the expected cumulative effect. He suspected it had to do with the internal blocks being retasked to 'generator mode' while the outer ones used the energy provided to enhance their shields and weapons.
If that were true, then any more combinations of blocks would result in even more firepower and tougher shields. In the pit of his stomach he got the feeling that whoever this enemy was, they were playing with the Tau'ri and had yet to show their true strength.
Another momentary shield breach occurred on the Phoenix just before a swarm of yellow lights flowed past its hull and slammed into the enemy blocks…
"Yes!" Sheppard said, fist pumping the air as the drones passed right through the enemy shields and tore the blocks to shreds.
Bra'tac settled back into his seat, letting out a sigh of relief. The Tau'ri had activated the Ancient weapons platform in Antarctica…but how many of the pesqua did they have left?
Concerned, Bra'tac used his knowledge of Ancient systems and queried the outpost below for their current weapon count.
589 remained.
As the last of the enemy craft exploded Bra'tac's eyes lept to the ships sitting just outside the star system. None of them moved. Perhaps they were rethinking their strategy. That was good, for it might give them the time they needed.
"Hail the Tau'ri," Bra'tac ordered, standing up.
Colonel Ronson's image appeared again. "Yes?"
"I need to speak with stargate command immediately."
"May I ask why?"
"There are many more ships on the edge of the system. I believe this attack has been nothing more than a probe into your defenses."
"More ships?" Ronson asked, clearly worried. He rechecked with his crew. "Our sensors are clear."
"They are massed at the very edge of the system," Bra'tac said, relaying their sensor data to the Phoenix. "Time is short. I must use your stargate immediately if I am to rally reinforcements."
"Patching you through now," Ronson said after looking at the sensor data. A moment later General Landry's image appeared.
Bra'tac nodded in greeting. "I need to use your stargate to summon reinforcements, and time is short."
"That can be arranged," Landry said, also clearly concerned. "I hear from Colonel Ronson that you've also requested a sample of the bio weapon?"
"Yes, but that will have to wait. Your world is due for another attack, and I must leave at once if we are to return in time."
"Very well," Landry agreed.
"Dial Chulak immediately," Bra'tac told him. "We will be in your gateroom within sixty seconds."
Bra'tac severed communications then turned to his crew. "Aid the Tau'ri as you are able, but do not stand toe to toe with this enemy. Flee if you must, for you do neither them nor me any good dead. Hit and run. Become a nuisance. Survive to inflict more damage later."
The assembled Jaffa nodded. "Understood my Lord," the pilot said.
Bra'tac put his hand on his shoulder. "This is the Tau'ri's world. They may defend it to their deaths. You will not. Fight bravely, but more important, fight wisely."
He turned to the Atlantis crew. "Any of you that possess the Ancient gene will come with me. All others will travel to Atlantis via the stargate."
"Lorne has the gene," Sheppard said, "but he's still unconscious."
"Come," Bra'tac said, walking swiftly off the bridge. The others fell into step behind him.
When they got to where Novak and the unconscious crew were Bra'tac knelt over Lorne and placed his hand on his forehead.
"What the…?" he said, waking up with a start.
"Be still," Bra'tac said evenly. "Your world is under assault. We require your assistance."
"Okay," Lorne said, not sure what was going on.
Bra'tac stood up and moved behind a control console. "I will follow you shortly," he said, activating the Asgard beaming technology.
Sheppard and the others suddenly found themselves beneath the window of the SGC command center staring into the kawoosh of the activating wormhole. It settled into a stable event horizon and Bra'tac beamed down in front of it at the foot of the ramp.
"What are they doing here?" Landry's voice asked over the speakers.
"They are coming with me," Bra'tac said, waving them forward.
"Security!" Landry said quickly, with the assembled armed guards snapping to attention.
Bra'tac looked up at the control room angrily. "Your world is under attack. We have no time for games!"
"Colonel Sheppard is under arrest," Landry said evenly, "and the others aren't supposed to be here either."
"There is no time for this!" Bra'tac yelled. "Order your guards to stand down or I will take them by force," Bra'tac said, his forearm jewelry melting and covering him head to toe in armor. He slowly raised his forearm towards one of the nervous guards pointing a weapon at him…
"Stop," Landry yelled. "Security teams stand down."
Bra'tac's armor retracted and he waved Sheppard forward. "Go," he said, nudging him through the gate.
"I should stay," Carson said as the others went through.
"Me too," Jennifer added after pushing Rodney through and stepping back down the ramp.
"I require you as a gunner," he said to Carson, then turned to Jennifer. "And you will have better luck with the medical equipment in Atlantis once the Tau'ri have provided us with a sample of the weapon. Now come, time is short," he said, glancing back at Landry once, then gently pushed the two doctors through the gate.
They emerged through the opposite gate and met the others in the cold forest environment of Chulak.
"What are we doing here?" Sheppard said, shivering.
Bra'tac said nothing. Instead he immediately went for the DHD and dialed an eight chevron jump address, imputing the security code to the bewilderment of the others…especially Rodney.
As soon as the gate activated Bra'tac stepped through and the others hurried to join him. The group arrived in the gate center and Bra'tac took off at a run for the control tower, yelling back at Sheppard.
"Those who do not possess the gene will go through first. The rest of you stay here."
"Alright, that's Cadman, Keller, Simpson, Zelenka, and Novak," Sheppard said, organizing them. "Everyone else sit tight. I don't know exactly what Bra'tac has planned, but I'm willing to bet it's something good."
"Where's he going, and what is this place?" Rodney asked, looking at the multiple gates.
"Long story," Sheppard said as the red gate suddenly activated. "Keller, take Zelenka. Cadman, you've got Simpson."
"Jennifer, when you get there…" Carson began to say.
She nodded. "I know where to start," she said, dragging Zelenka's unconscious body into the event horizon.
"Colonel," Novak asked as Cadman dragged Zelenka through. "What in the world is going on?"
"I promise we'll explain everything later. You can talk to Dr. Weir in a moment."
"Alright," she said, hesitantly walking through the stargate.
"What the hell is going on?" Lorne asked, looking around the place.
Off to the side the green stargate activated. McKay glanced back and forth between the two. "Ok, that's impossible."
"Rookies," Sheppard said sarcastically as Bra'tac ran back from the control tower to join them. "Move!" he ordered.
"Let's go," Sheppard yelled, stepping through the gate.
On the other side he nearly lost his breath. Standing before them was a gigantic ship in a breathtakingly huge construction slip. "Is that…"
"The Columnar," Bra'tac said, attracting the attention of a nearby replicator. He had a brief conversation with it in Ancient then walked quickly toward a nearby ring platform.
"Is that the reinforcements?" McKay asked.
"Yes. I require your assistance as gunners," Bra'tac said, motioning for them to step inside the rings. All did so and the Alterra joined them after keying the activation sequence.
"I didn't think it was ready?" Sheppard asked after they were transported inside.
"The primary weapon and most of the armor has yet to be completed," Bra'tac said, hurrying towards the bridge. "The rest of the systems should be operational."
"Drones?" Sheppard asked.
Bra'tac shook his head. "There are no pesqua aboard. Nor are there any auxiliary craft. Such things are added after final construction."
"What do we have to fight with then?"
"To my knowledge the plasma cannons and lox generators are fully operational, as are the shields and hyperdrive. Fortunately, the potentia has already been installed, lest we be delayed further."
"Cool," Ford muttered.
Bra'tac opened the door to a 'transporter' big enough for three people. He, Sheppard, and McKay stepped inside. "Follow us," Bra'tac ordered, sealing the door. The three of them were transported to the terminal at the far end of the bridge, a long high ceilinged corridor that looked very drab. At the far end a solitary control chair sat.
"Ship?" Bra'tac called out into the emptiness as he walked toward the chair.
A hologram of an Ancient woman half materialized walking beside them. "Yes?" she asked.
"Prepare for emergency launch," Bra'tac ordered. "We must go into battle immediately."
It blinked. "Construction crews have already evacuated the slip. It will take 4.2 minutes to open the primary hatch…and I would remind you that not all weapons systems are currently operational."
"What's that?" McKay whispered to Sheppard.
"You've got me," he said.
"Plot course for the nearest ship gate," he told the hologram as he slipped into the control chair. It and nearly everything else on the bridge lit up brilliantly. Off on the far end Carson, Lorne, and Ford stepped out of transporter.
"Sit," Bra'tac said. Along the wall three smaller versions of the control chair rose up out of the floor, along with two more on the opposite side.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Sheppard said, sliding into the small seat and connecting with the ship. He pulled up as much information as he could, some of which appeared as a hologram in front of him, including the ship's name…Nieruie.
"Nieruie?" Sheppard said aloud.
"Yes," the hologram answered.
"Ah…what are you?"
"I am the ship's computer."
"What's with the name, Bra'tac?"
"It means 'exceptional strength,'" the Alterra answered.
"In Ancient?" Sheppard asked.
"Of course."
"Can she…it control the weapons?"
"I can," Nieruie answered.
"Why then do I need you?" Bra'tac said, sensing his question. "The computer is faster and more accurate than a person, but it lacks the wisdom in target choice. I cannot control all the weapons myself. Each of you will take as many as you can, the ship will utilize the rest for point defense."
"How many are there?" Ford asked.
"Ninety nine plasma cannons and four lox generators, which I will man."
"Lox?" Carson asked.
"Lightning," Bra'tac translated as there was a sudden shudder felt throughout the ship.
"What was that?" Lorne asked.
"The moon is opening," Sheppard said, getting a sensor feed through his chair.
"Indeed," Bra'tac said, still impressed by the sight of it. "This shipyard is encased within a hollow moon. I believe that is the sole reason why it has survived to this day."
"Ship…system diagnostic. Are we ready to launch?"
The hologram hesitated a few seconds. "All completed systems are operating at 100%."
Bra'tac closed his eyes in the control chair and the ship's engines hummed to life.
"Here we go," Carson said warily.
"Whoever is attacking Earth," Sheppard said eagerly, "is about to get a big surprise."
"How far away are we?" Lorne asked. In response a hologram appeared over his chair showing Avalona and the distance between it and Kestardra. "We're in another galaxy?"
"Looks like it," Sheppard said as the ship slowly lifted out of its berth.
"Well what kind of a bloody plan is this," Carson complained. "It'll take days, if not weeks, for us to get back to Earth."
"Bra'tac knows a shortcut," Sheppard said sarcastically. "Nieruie, can you give me a weapons simulation for practice?"
"Yes," it said as a targeting proficiency program activated through Sheppard's neural link. Some holographic elements also manifested themselves.
"Me too!" McKay said quickly.
"Me three," Lorne said, less enthusiastic. "Who are we fighting anyway?"
"Don't know," Sheppard said, fighting phantom enemies as he spoke. "They came out of nowhere and attacked Earth with some type of bio weapon, then followed it up with a bunch of legos."
"Legos?" McKay complained. "Seriously…"
"You have a better name, Rodney?"
"Well, now that you mention it…"
"Meaning what?" Lorne interrupted.
"They can fight individually," Sheppard explained, "or they can hook together to increase their strength…at least, that's how it looked."
"You are correct," Bra'tac interrupted. "They did indeed increase their power when connected. I fear their combined might if they number in the hundreds…"
"Ouch," Sheppard said, "I hadn't thought about that."
"That's one big door," Ford said, watching their exit in hologram. They were hovering over several dozen slips…all with partially constructed Columnars in the rib stage of fabrication, but far above them a large oval was peeling up into space. Small bits of debris and dust fell inward and sparkled as they passed through the atmospheric shield that kept the moon's interior from venting into space.
Bra'tac tipped the long ship up into a nearly vertical position and accelerated rapidly out of the facility. Once outside, Ford and Carson both stared back at a barren, char-colored sphere while the other crew members worked through their weapons simulations.
"What's this shortcut?" Carson asked, his jaw still slack from what he was seeing.
"You will see shortly," Bra'tac said as the Columnar launched into hyperspace.
