A soft knock was heard on the wall of the briefing room, Salmon, O'Neill and MacGregor turned to see Cate and Sydney dressed in black BDU's, flanked by SG1. All of them were covered in dust and dirt, Daniel's knuckles were bleeding. "Dad, ah sirs...we found it." She smiled brightly despite them grime covering her face.
"Found what?" Landry said from behind as he approached, "And would you all mind moving inside so that I can come in."
"Ah sorry sir." Cam and the others filed in, followed by the General. He found his seat while SG1 and the two agents remained standing. Jack looked a little annoyed.
"This had better be good Mitchell, we're in a bit of a situation here." He said bluntly.
"Yes we know Jack, Walter told us as we came up." Daniel answered. "But we found Lorcan's tomb, his real tomb."
"What, that business in Israel was a ...?" Mac began.
"A ruse Admiral MacGregor." Teal'c added, then remained silent.
"But how? How did you know?" Salmon asked.
"We did a bit of back checking." Cate began. "Sydney remembered coming across the name during one of her...previous exploits. Lorcan's tomb was one of the artifacts she was supposed to find, but never did, as the matter concerning that had been dealt with. So after accessing CIA files, we came up with the real location by cross referencing data and some old texts they had in their vaults."
"I hope you had permission to do that" Landry looked at the six of them, Vala grinned in her mischievous way.
"Well of course we did." She winked at him unashamedly.
"So where in the hell have you been then?" Mac opened his arms in emphasis, but his face said he seemed to already know.
"Braemore, a barrow a few miles away. We were able to beam into one chamber, then we had to do some digging to reach the inner chamber. We found his coffin, all his possessions, but no body." Daniel explained.
"So Daniel, how does this help us?" Jack asked him, looking somewhat confused.
Vala hefted her alice pack onto the table, a cloud of white dust falling onto the polished surface, she smiled meekly and reached in and produced a very old manuscript. "A gate address..." She opened the book, to reveal yellowed pages. "...and it's all in Ancient." She pointed to the flowing script.
"Well, there is good news, and bad news. So far, from all the reading I've been doing, and since we discovered and disposed of Nemain, that the Anakim were a race that fought the Nephilim; in fact, they may have even been their Progenitors," Daniel said. Jack just looked blankly at him.
"They created them." Mac muttered to Jack.
"Oh, right. I knew that." O'neill replied quickly.
"Anyway, it seems that the Anakim are pretty much extinct. But the Israeli's who threatened us, they seemed to know about the SGC and the Nephilim, and they also made reference to the Anakim. So, I trawled through the scrolls we stole…." Daniel looked up as he heard a grunt from Landry. "Err…borrowed, and I found information in regards to the creatures. They have come to Earth before, and made contact with the Brotherhood oh Survivors who fought the Nephilim in Scotland. They left instructions on how to contact them in time of greatest need."
"I would say this constitutes greatest need," Landry said. "Now, what's the bad news?"
"I can confirm we have three active Nephilim in the MW, maybe more,"
MacGregor looked at Cate and Sydney. Teal'c let a smile come to the corner of his lips.
"Would it not be a reasonable idea that we prosecute these creatures with maximum prejudice, Admiral, before they can consolidate their forces?" the big Jaffa asked.
"Yes, I do. SG-1, suit and get ready to move out. We will board the Dreadnaught and show them what for," Mac grinned. "Cate, Sydney, you are free to join us if you wish,"
"Eh, admiral?" Daniel interceded.
"Yes?"
"What about the Anakim?"
Jack sighed. "Daniel, do you actually know anything about where to find these Anakim?"
"Hello, Gate address?" Vala sat, wafting papers. Cam sniffled a snigger.
"But…you said that Lorcan's body was here…." Jack said, still not quite understanding.
"Yes," Daniel nodded patiently.
"And if his body was taken off world…." Jack continued.
"Yes,"
"…It must have been the …Anakim?"
"Well done, Jack. The way to contact them is with Lorcan of the Celts' final resting place." Daniel finished.
"Well, both are important. Split the team and do both?" Salmon suggested.
Landry nodded. "That sounds best. Daniel, Vala, Sam, suit up and get ready to head out with SG 14. You will go to this world. Will, if you take Teal'c, Cam and the Spooks, and try and track down some of these Hell-damned creatures, we'll be half sorted,"
There was a chorus of "yes, sirs" and the team moved for the door.
Salmon and MacGregor stayed at the desk, waiting for the perfectly timed knock at the door. Teal'c opened it to see Major Macara in his Lovat green dress, ready to leave.
"The admiral wanted me." Macara said.
"Indeed," Teal'c gestured Macara through, then led the others from the room.
"Welcome back," Jack muttered to Macara as he entered.
"I'm not back, I'm onl…." Macara started.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll have Siler take your kit back to Level 15." Jack let a grin come across his face, before letting himself from the room behind SG-1.
"Yes, sirs?" Macara asked, coming smartly to attention. Salmon, also in beret, threw a quick salute which Macara returned.
"The word has come in. Colonel Hamilton has been killed in action, and the Grenadiers have lost a lot of men. They are ending their tour." Salmon said.
"Hamilton was a good CO. From what I heard, he was loved by his men."
"But not by those who served alongside him on Atlantis. Not to speak ill of the dead, but Hamilton rubbed some people up the wrong way. He commanded the respect of his men, but didn't care if the US or International forces in Atlantis did as well." MacGregor said frankly. "The troops out there just aren't gelling the way they used to. There have been too many fights, not enough off-duty integration."
"In fact, the very opposite. Many officers were taking up a policy of segregation," Salmon added.
"We want a new UK officer who can bring the sides together. Sheppard has complete loyalty from the City Security and most of the Americans. Captain Ben MacGregor is also well respected by the Australians and Americans. We need an officer that all parties can get along with," MacGregor continue.
"With respect, sir, that's not me. You both know my feelings and attitudes on the subject," Macara protested.
"We do, Nathan. Attitudes that have mellowed with time. Hell, on your last tour, infighting was almost non-existent and at a front-line level we were experiencing unheard of cooperation. It doesn't matter what's going on at Home, Nate. It's what is happening out there. We want you deployed there," Salmon said.
Macara shook his head. "I want to stay and fight alongside the men who are in combat on Earth," the major said. "They are more important."
"Yes, they are. But the fighting there narrows in comparison to the threat out there!" Will said, gesturing at the ceiling, getting angry. "Nathan, do what is best for your country, I agree. And at the moment, keeping Earth safe from the Nephilim is."
"Major, I wouldn't like to make it an order that you'd only have to refuse. Go of your own free will," Salmon asked.
Macara struggled for a few moments, fighting inside himself. He couldn't think of anywhere he would rather be, than with F Company and the Atlantis Team. Yamoto, Wacca, Zelenka, Ronon, Sheppard, even McKay.
"Fine. On one condition,"
"Name it," MacGregor said earnestly.
"F Company comes back, too,"
Salmon smiled. "They are already embarked for Cheyenne mountain."
Macara chuckled, realising just how certain the two older men were that he would return.
"One question, sir. How did you manage to get command here? What about 3 brigade?"
Salmon smiled. "Buster Howes was scheduled to take over from me in early 2010. He can handle taking over early,"
Macara nodded, then saluted sharply and smartly.
"Welcome back, Major," Macgregor said as he brought his hand down.
Macara nodded, allowing a small sense of satisfaction to creep through him. He was back; he was going home.
In the space above L9X-391, a single Nephilim Hive remained, combing the wreckage, salvaging what it could. This vessel had no Nephilim aboard, only a Wraith Commander and a horde of Drones. Balor and Timrek had left to gather together what Nephilim they could in the time they had, and left the ship here to scavenge.
A hyperspace Window opened, and two great black, sleek ships appeared. These were the same ships that had entered the Milky Way seeking the Nephilim. Now they had found them.
The two vessels engaged without any hesitation. The Nephilim ships fired its spears of Blue Lightening, causing damage to shields, but not much else.
In return, green fireballs launched from the Anakim ships. These were much more than mere fire, though, and carried, amongst the strange flames, solid warheads, much like the technology the Ancients used to make their Drones.
These missiles impacted on the Hive, causing great gouts of flame and debris. The Hive shook, but continued to fight.
One Anakim ship was struck by repeated blows, and its shields failed. The ship simply maneuvered quickly and fluidly into a position behind its sister, and continued firing.
The Hive, despite its upgrades, couldn't cope with the damage it was taking. The Wraith commander ordered it to come about, and the great ship disappeared into hyperspace.
On the Silver Star, Timral nodded with approval.
"It seems that the Wraith-Cursed One's hybrid ships are tough, but not so much that we can't hurt them," the tall, elfin figure clenched a fist. "Good. Haleth, have the Red hawk return to the Human's home Galaxy. We shall go and contact the humans here," Timral commanded.
"Very good, my lord."
Timral breathed deeply, flushed with the fire of combat. They had sat in Darkness, alone, for too long. Now they would revenge, before joining their people in their Eternal Guardianship.
Woolsey finished typing the last word of his report. It saddened him to see the final casualty list. It also saddened him to know it could be decades before anyone knew the true sacrifice these men had made.
The fifty-three Guardsmen who were killed were reported as having died when their transport Aircraft was winged by a Taliban Stinger missile. The British government had already arranged for one of their older Hercules to be flown into the ground in an area near Kandahar.
The City Security were simply killed in an incident of High Security that their families couldn't know about.
The Abrams crew had been killed by a roadside Bomb, and the Naval personnel, mostly US Navy on the Iwo Jima, with a few Russian and Canadians, had been aboard a Destroyer that went down in the Indian Ocean to as-yet unknown circumstances.
Woolsey understood the need for these lies; he had implemented many of the protocols himself. But it still got to him how there brave men and women couldn't be lauded for their heroic sacrifices.
Woolsey hit save, and sent the document to the main buffer where the status reports for Earth were being stored.
Richard wondered if Elizabeth or Carter had ever found it this difficult, and suddenly felt yet another pang of guilt at ever having treated them so badly over their command decisions.
There was a knock at the door. Sheppard was standing there, his face grim.
"The new troops are about to arrive, sir. The SGC decided to use what little power they had in the ZPM to get them here ASAP." The Colonel said.
Richard smiled without humour. "Very good, colonel. I'll be out in a moment."
Sheppard nodded, and turned from the door way, going to Gate operations a few dozen yards away.
Woolsey stacked some papers, took a deep breath, and then went to greet the new arrivals.
Macara strode from the lift towards the Gateroom. He had his Bergen on his back, his weapon slung and his beret through his rear two belt loops.
His men were assembled in the Gateroom, and in platoons out into the corridor. They were now just waiting for him to arrive.
"Hey, Nate," a voice send, prompting Macara to turn around.
Standing in the shadows, back against a wall, was a soldier in black DUP. Macara grinned, knowing who it was.
"Vic!" the Scotsman said happily.
Major Trang walked over, smiling. Macara could see the scar tissue from his burns that crept up the left hand side of his neck, stopping just below the jawline. It was taut and had the sheen of scarring on it.
"Where the Hell have you been, man?" Trang asked, stopping short of give Macara a full hug.
"I needed to get away from it all, Vic. I couldn't handle it."
"So for R&R, you chose Helmand province. You're mad, Marine," Vic grinned. Now he hugged Macara.
"How have you been?" Nathan asked, looking Vic up and down for any evidence his wounds were still irritating him.
"Back on active duty within a couple of weeks. Then those damn Nephilim can watch out, bro!" the SF major replied. "I was going mad during rehabilitation. I miss going through the gate,"
Macara nodded. "I know what you mean."
Vic shook his head with wonderment. "Straight from A'stan to Atlantis. You are a crazy sonuva…"
"I've had a week in between. I haven't exactly just stepped off the Globemaster."
"True. I take it all those leather necks are waiting for you?" Vic gestured at the RMC.
"Aye. We're heading out now." Nathan said. "When are you heading back through?"
Vic shuffled slightly, the smile fading from his face."
"I'm not. I'm stuck in the MW for the foreseeable future." Trang said, resentment deep in his voice.
"Well, we have to give the Nephilim a chance, don't we," Macara joked. "With both of us out there, we wouldn't be fair on them!"
Trang chuckled, and took Macara's hand. "Good luck Nate,"
"You too." Macara said, before walking over to his men. Trang waited a few moments, before going to find some poor USAF security to pester.
"Welcome back, sir," an Irish voice said. Macara smiled to see Sergeant Major Quincannon at the side of the line of men, keeping order. It had been too long since Macara had seen the F Company WO.
"Good to see you, RSM. Get the men to grab their gear, we're moving out."
"Sir!" Quincannon said eagerly.
Macara walked by several of F Company that he knew well, including the sniper, Bennett, and the senior lieutenant, Hardy. All the veterans of F Coy seemed glad to see him.
Macara walked through to the Gate room, and nodded through the plate-glass to Walter, who started dialing.
Wacca stood with Zelenka and a trio of Atlantis scientists. He had overheard them moaning about the military again, as they stood on parade waiting to leave. The Rock Apes were also ready to go, but they were assembled in a room in the floor below, as there wasn't enough space.
The Remaining Grenadiers were formed up, depleted but still with massive pride in their bearing. 2 and 7 Coy stood at ease, waiting for their replacements.
"Any idea who the Brits are sending in their place?" Radek asked the Australian WO as he approached.
"Not a clue, mate. They didn't send word in advance, this time." Wacca replied. He waited eagerly to see what new Unit was joining them. Black Watch maybe? Riflemen?
Zelenka muttered in Czech, drawing a quizzical look from Wacca.
"What now?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just wondering when we're going to start getting mobs of scientists through every six months"
Wacca laughed out loud at the little scientists indignation. "You never know, mate. The way this is going, we might have to start putting you lot on the front line," the WO joked. Zelenka didn't laugh.
"Really?" he asked, slightly horrified.
Wacca just chuckled again, watching the gate
Sheppard stood with Ronon and Teyla, who was cradling Torren. McKay was at a work station behind them grumbling about wanting lunch.
"Well, just go then!" Ronon snapped.
"Well, erm...I'm curious. I just want to see who the Brits are sending,"
"Since when did Earth's military interest you, Rodney," Teyla asked politely,
"I…well…"
"He just wants to know what new equipment they have sent through for him," Sheppard threw over his shoulder.
"Ah," Teyla said knowingly, shushing a little cry from Torren.
The Gate flared into life. The shield went up, containing the "kawoosh", and then the first soldiers stepped through.
"Marines," Wacca said with a little disappointment. "I thought they had given up on the GTF?"
Zelenka just shook his head. "No new ladies either. Never mind,"
Wacca looked round in surprise, before titling his head and straight up bellowing with laughter.
"Marines," Sheppard stated. "Again."
F Company came through the gate. In a few moments, they were all assembled, and the last figure emerged.
Macara looked around. He marched smartly over to Captain Petersen, as acting CO of the Grenadier unit, and saluted him. "You stand relieved, captain."
"Thank you, major. The post is yours," Petersen said. The Gate dialed Earth, and the captain led his proud, smart unit through, back to the SGC.
"Oh, great. He's back," McKay muttered as the Grenadier left. "Brilliant." He said, walking away to find lunch. Ronon walked down to the stairs, closely followed by Teyla and Sheppard as the Rock Apes filed into the Gateroom.
Sqn Leader Dale approached Macara as the Grenadiers left.
"Your men are to remain here, Sqn Ld," Macara said politely. "I have new orders for both of us," he handed over a data slate.
"Major. It's damned good to see you." Sheppard offered his hand. Macara took it.
"Glad to be back, sir," he said straight away, the 'sir' surprising Sheppard a little as it was said with genuine respect, no sarcasm this time.
Ronon nodded a curt greeting. Teyla smiled and held up Torren. Macara walked over and looked down.
"He's gotten big!" the major tickled the child nose, causing a gurgling laugh. Teyla smiled.
"It is good to see you again, major Macara."
"Sergeant major, fall the men out!" Hardy's voice came from behind. That was followed by a huge voice as Quincannon let the RMC know what-for.
"You know where to go. Move out!"
Macara looked at Sheppard.
"I'll drop my kit then come for a debriefing, sir,"
"No problem, Nathan. See you in a few."
Macara looked round, a smile creeping on his face. He let the mood of the Atlantis expedition filter into him again.
It was good to be back, Macara thought. Back home.
The Ha'tak came out of hyperspace. It was trailing debris and fire, and only some decks had air or power. The vessel had served well under the mismatched upgrades that Frenzy had placed upon it, but now, after months in the Galactic void, it was through.
Nemain guided what was left of the ship to the nearest world, what was left of the sensors reporting a Stargate.
The Ha'tak plummeted into the atmosphere, layer upon layer of hull peeling in the heat of entry. As it passed into the atmosphere and slowed, larger chunks began to break off.
It plunged earthward, getting closer and closer to destruction.
As it did, a lithe, black shape sped away from it, before opening black, leathery wings and gracefully soaring to the ground.