Author's Note: Yay! Thank yous to the reviews people! And those who have been reading! Please enjoy!
Lee K. : Ronon is a second season character and will be showing up later in this book just not right now since it's still in season 1 of Atlantis.
GenoBeast: to my knowledge (Person of a non military background) Yes two officers can date but only if they aren't in the same command chain. For example if Hannah was at the SGC and he was on Atlantis. Then it's all good. But since he is her commanding officer in this instance it's a no no.
Bane x : Don't worry I didn't take it to heart if anything I kicked myself for not thinking about it first! lol but it did inspire new ideas and some use of your input! As to the SGA cannon I may take your thinking and apply it to a later story.
SGASGSGASGASGASGASGA
"Colonel?" Weir called after Everett, as he moved up the stairs after pronouncing he'd save Atlantis. He stopped and turned holding out a piece of paper to her.
"Signed by General O'Neill himself" Everett told her, Weir took the note and read it taken aback by the content. Sheppard stepped forward next to Weir. Hannah had a rough idea what the note probably said. She could assume from Weir's expression it read: "Thanks for the hard work but this is now a military problem so be a good IOA representative and stand aside" but with more O'Neill flair of course.
"Colonel, it's not that we don't appreciate the thought, but if you had read the report on the armada heading this way, you'd know that there's not much we can do about it." Sheppard said to him.
"Oh, I've read your report cover to cover, Major." Everett told him, something about the way Everett spoke made Hannah feel like they were children to his eyes.
"You must have found a ZedPM. That's the only way they could have dialled in from Earth." McKay said.
"It was discovered in Egypt by a group of archaeologists. Damned thing's been under our noses the whole time!" Everett exclaimed showing just as equal surprise as they did at the news.
"Fantastic! Wait a minute - how could you possibly bring the ZedPM back here? You'd need it to maintain the wormhole." McKay said.
"As we speak, it is being transported up to the Daedalus, our new battle cruiser." Everett answered.
"Sister ship of the Prometheus - I thought it was still on the drawing boards" Hannah said, she had seen the early schematics of the ship but thought it had been put on the back burner due to the issues of finding resources to build it. Obviously she was wrong.
"With the ZPM boosting her engines, she should be here inside of four days. That is how long we have to hold this base. Major Sheppard, dial Pegasus Alpha site recall all military personnel. As well, any civilians who'd like to return and help take part in damage control are welcome to do so!" Everett said to Sheppard. He motion they follow him "And when you're done with that, please join me and my officers in the Conference Room. We'll discuss our tactical position based on the information you and your XO sent. Lieutenant O'Neill I also want you in the conference room since it's your defence strategy we'll be employing" Everett told Hannah and Sheppard, They both saluted and Everett continued up the stairs.
"My XO? Defence strategy?" he asked Hannah in a low voice as they followed behind at a distance.
"I forgot to tell you that I may have written something up about strategic defence plans of Atlantis…purely theoretical on if we had more resources" Hannah told him.
"Really" Sheppard said impressed.
"I put on it that you gave it to me as training exercise. As you wanted to keep me motivated into becoming a good leader and soldier" Hannah added so it didn't come off as though she were usurping him. Sheppard looked more impressed than annoyed or angry she was expecting.
"Well I can't wait to review it" Sheppard said with an amused smile. Hannah bit her bottom lip and gave an awkward smile.
They went their separate ways and Hannah walked into the Conference room. Hannah saluted the officers in the room as she was outranked by Captains and above in rank with exception of a couple of sergeants. They were all strangers to her which was not a surprise considering the turnover the SGC had.
Colonel Everett walked up to Hannah and patted her on the shoulder "This way Lieutenant" he told her in the same condescending tone he used with Weir. Hannah followed him to the table near a large plasma screen. The screen had a real time schematic of the city but Colonel Everett opened a tube and pulled out a roll of papers. He laid them flat on the table.
"Now your father says despite your age you are as sharp as a tack and you know what you're talking about here. We are using a combination of your two advisements of strategic defence since we have to hold down Atlantis for the Daedalus to arrive" Everett said, he pointed to the schematics and on them were marked out positions. "This is based on the information we got in your message. Can I assume it's accurate?" Colonel Everett asked Hannah.
"Yes, sir." Hannah answered looking over the map.
"Good" Everett enthused he turned to his left and motioned to a Captain. "Captain, deploy plan Alpha Two." Everett ordered.
"Yes, sir." The Captain said he turned to a sergeant beside him "Sergeant - Alpha Two". The two marines walked out of the room just as Ford came in. Ford stood beside Hannah.
"If you don't mind my asking, sir, deploy what exactly?" Ford asked as he had caught only the end of the order.
"We brought along a few rail guns. They were originally slated for Prometheus to replace their current close-in armament on her next refit. They will deliver an impact velocity of Mach five at two hundred and fifty miles. A standard magazine will hold ten thousand rounds." Everett told him gleefully.
"Woah!" Ford exclaimed like a happy kid. Hannah inwardly rolled her eyes as Ford grew excited. Boys and their toys she thought. She took a step back letting the two men bond over guns and noted Sheppard and Weir's arrival into the room.
"Self destruct has been aborted." Sheppard told Everett.
"Thank you! Did you contact the Alpha site?" Everett asked. Sheppard looked to Weir to answer.
"I asked Major Sheppard to wait until I had a chance to talk with you." Weir said calmly with her hands behind her back.
"Is that a fact?" Everett asked with raised eyebrows. His voice dripped with the same condescension he used earlier. He had a way of making a person feel quite inferior.
"Yes, sir." Sheppard answered.
"Major Dial the Alpha site." Everett ordered. Sheppard turned to leave but Weir stopped him.
"Colonel, you've been here all of five minutes. Now, I have been responsible for the lives of the people on this base, both military and civilian, for the past several months. I'm not about to put those lives in jeopardy until I at least know how you intend to defend this city." Weir told Everett, the tension in the room rose as Weir and Everett stared each other down for power and recognition.
"I don't need to explain myself to you, Doctor, and I don't need your co-operation." Everett told her coldly.
"But you could probably use mine Sir." Sheppard told him, Everett shot him a look "So with all due respect, please answer Doctor Weir's question." Sheppard requested.
" Is that a threat, Major?" Everett asked Sheppard.
"No, sir. I understand you need to establish a clear chain of command, but if you cut Doctor Weir out of the loop, you'll only alienate the people whose trust and respect she's earned - which is everyone on the base, including me." Sheppard said taking Weir's side.
"Is that a fact?" Everett looked to Ford who looked away not wanting a part of the argument. He looked to Hannah who kept her face neutral. She was on Sheppard's side. Weir was their leader and she should have a say. It also didn't help Colonel Everett's case that he treated her with the same tone he gave Weir. Everett returned his gaze to Sheppard and considered him for a moment then shrugged.
"Have a seat." Everett said he gestured the chair next to his, Weir took up the seat and the rest of them moved to the table. Hannah took up a seat next to Sheppard who sat to Weir's right. The doors to the conference room closed and the meeting began.
Everett went over the plans Hannah had sent through to the SGC with her reports and then how he and a group of Tactical advisers came up with their current plan. He gave his thanks to Sheppard's training skills of Hannah for they made his job a lot easier before moving on.
"So we have six naqahdah enhanced nuclear warheads, twelve hundred megatons apiece. They emit almost zero EM and are otherwise invisible to radar. Once deployed, they will detonate by proximity fuse." Everett told them, this was where Hannah's input ended and Everett's started. They showed on the plasma the deployment pattern of the warheads above the planet.
"This apart of your plan?" Sheppard asked Hannah in a near whisper.
"No, this is new" Hannah said back.
"Space mines?" Ford asked a loud.
"That's right. We use Jumpers in stealth mode to place them in a pattern between the armada and Atlantis. Major, we were hoping you could help us with that." Captain Radner said to Sheppard.
"Yes, but I recommend keeping a couple in reserve." Sheppard said sitting forward in his chair.
"Negative. We're only gonna get one shot at this." Everett said firmly.
"We have to consider the possibility ..." Sheppard started
"Four of my men are pilots. Beckett is giving them the gene inoculation right now. Assuming it takes, you will familiarise them with the Jumpers, and they will become our fighter screen." Everett told him.
"Along with myself and Lieutenant O'Neill" Sheppard told Everett. Everett shook his head
"No I have another job for Lieutenant O'Neill. I understand that this base is equipped with a chair weapons platform like the one we found in Antarctica." Everett said.
"Yes, but we have no way of powering it until the ZPM is here" Hannah replied.
"We do now. We brought a Mark Two naquadah generator. Lieutenant I'm told you'll know how to get it working" Everett said to Hannah.
"Mark two?" Hannah asked.
"We found a way to increase the power output by six hundred percent. It won't last nearly as long but it should be able to power the chair for as long as we need it to." Radner told her, Hannah nodded in comprehension, she doubt they could raise the shields but maybe it could be enough to deploy the drone missiles.
"Well it sounds like a plan!" Sheppard said with a smile.
"I'm glad you approve! We know this is a long shot, but like I said, all we have to do is hold out until the Daedalus gets here, and then we can use the ZPM to power the city's shields. Any questions?" Everett asked looking around the table. After a moment of silence he started "Alright then. Now that Doctor Weir has been informed of our plans," he leaned on the table and looked to Sheppard "I would greatly appreciate it if you'd execute my order and contact the Alpha site. Major."
"Yes, sir." Sheppard stood up and headed for the doors that were opening.
"And Major?" Everett called to Sheppard who turned to face Everett "This is the last time I give you an order twice."
"Understood." Sheppard said.
Everett turned to Hannah "Lieutenant O'Neill, Captain Radner will show you to the Mark two generator I'm sure you'll be able to take it from there"
"Yes, Sir" Hannah said standing up, Colonel Everett moved out of the room. Hannah waited as Radner moved to her side.
"Lieutenant it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance" he said with a warm smile.
"How so? Sir" Hannah asked as they walked out of the conference room.
"I had the opportunity to work under your father's command and with SG1 on a couple of missions. They spoke very highly of you" Radner said to her as they walked down the stairs to the gate room. "Now the generator has already been taken to the chair room, I just need to go over the schematics and instructions with you"
"So I don't break it Sir?" she asked, he gave her a smile and handed his tablet computer to her. She flicked through the pages just skimming over all the warnings Radner followed her to the nearest Transporter. She pressed the map and the doors closed reopening on the floor they needed.
"Now just a piece of advice, keep an eye on the power distribution. It's still a little twitchy"
"Twitchy?"
"May overload" he told her,
"Overload and shut off or overload and explode?" Hannah asked looking up at Radner from the Tablet computer. They were at the door to the chair room where Zelenka and McKay were already fiddling with the generator.
"Simulations have shown it can go either way" He said with a smile, he slapped Hannah on the back "But I'm sure you'll figure it" he told her and with that he walked off leaving Hannah slightly concerned.
"Hey hands off" Hannah told the scientists. McKay looked around at her she handed the tablet computer to him. "Read the instructions first" she chided him.
"Ah hello I have the highest IQ in the room I don't need to read instructions" McKay told her full of self confidence.
"That's debatable" Hannah said dryly.
"Fine just to humour you I will skim it" He told her, he took the computer from her hands and flicked through it, Hannah moved in to look at the device. She pulled a panel off the floor revealing the power conduits to the chair. They were looked like fibre optics, Hannah reached in and yanked out the largest bundle of fibres.
"Hey! don't do that" McKay scolded her.
"Why not? I'd like to hook this up as quickly as possible" Hannah said.
"It could have residual electrical charge!" he told her off like she had lost her brain somewhere between the briefing as the chair room.
"Unlikely, what do we do now?" Hannah asked
"Wait you just yanked out whatever you felt was right-"
"Wow chill it's the main power conduit to the Chair" Hannah said interrupting him.
McKay gave an exasperated sigh as Hannah stifled a smile. It was going to take awhile.
A couple of hours later, after much riling and arguments they managed to hook up the generator. Zelenka was monitoring the power to the chair while McKay watched the power from the generator. Hannah stood to the side, it was necessary they knew what they were doing since she wouldn't be here to help them. Not that she really thought they needed her. Radner had dropped by earlier to check on the progress and told Hannah she would be on a defence team on one of the balconies during the battle while Sheppard took up the chair.
"Lieutenant O'Neill report to Armoury 1" came of the P.A.
"Oh that's me, I'll see you guys later" Hannah said.
"What? No! We are about to do a dry run" McKay said.
"Get Beckett, I have orders. Good luck!" Hannah said she ran to the nearest transporter. In seconds she was at Armoury one, a sergeant handed her a M4A1 assault rifle.
"Nice" Hannah commented looking of the weapon and checking it over.
"Thought you might like it" Radner said behind her "You're with my team on a balcony located on the West Pier" he told her. Hannah was given extra ammunition to place on her person.
"When's the call Sir?" Hannah asked.
"Now, the Wraith took out the defence net of naquadah drones. We are sensor blind from the radiation" He told her, she followed him to the Transporter. The doors opened onto the top floor of the main building on the west pier. The floor opened into empty quarters she could see Captain Radner's team standing on the large Balcony that meet the room. Radner walked out first and greeted his men, Hannah spotted Lieutenant Tanabe and stood beside him. He smiled to her leaning in close. "My gun's bigger than yours" he told her in a low voice. He gestured to the rail gun.
"Overcompensating much" Hannah replied cheekily in a low voice. They both contained their chuckles as Radner kept talking.
"Now you all know what you have to do, let's get into positions" Radner said, Hannah took up her station next to Tanabe who made himself at home with the rail gun. They waited for the Wraith to come. Slowly the metallic hum of wraith darts sounded faintly in the air growing louder by the second.
"Sir, we've just detected a wave of Darts inbound." A marine said over the radio on the military channel.
"I'm on my way." Everett's voice replied. After a few seconds the lights of Atlantis shut off and it was pitch black. Hannah readied her gun as the sound of the Wraith darts came closer.
" Remember - short steady bursts." Radner shouted to them.
Tanabe swung the rail gun into position ready.
"Here they come!" Radner shouted. Flares shot up into the sky above Atlantis signalling the start as it illuminated the city and the Wraith that just entered city limits. The rail guns fired multiple rounds into the air at the Wraith as did Hannah and the other soldiers with machine guns and grenade launchers.
The sky lit up like millions of little blue fireflies streaking into the wraith and explosions sounded from destroyed darts.
Darts swooped around, the noise of their engines mixed in with the explosions and gun fire was deafening. Hannah could barely hear her radio over the noise she noticed a dart coming at their position, Tanabe noticed as well as he swung the rail gun down and around to fire at it.
"Colonel, it's Radner!" Radner shouted into his radio.
"Go ahead."Everett said.
"It looks like some of them are starting to make kamikaze runs!" he shouted, Rander was correct as several darts were starting to ram into buildings. Tanabe clipped the dart heading for their position but all it did was send the dart spiralling Radner shouted orders.
"FALL BACK!" he shouted, he moved to every member making them move back to the transporter, Tanabe was not giving up, Hannah kept firing but even she knew it was a lost cause.
"Tanabe!" she shouted, he nodded calling defeat he ran with her towards Radner who waited at the transporter for them as the doors swung open waiting. But it was too late.
SGASGASGASGASGASGASGA
Hannah felt the explosion before she heard it. A wave of energy and debris sent her flying across the room. Then the sound followed, so loud that it felt as if her ears had imploded. Her mind registered light and heat and power as she tumbled like a weed in the wind.
The instant stretched into forever, and then to her surprise, she found herself on her back against one of the ammunition cases, her feet twisted beneath her. She did not remember landing.
Her body ached and her ears rang, but she did a quick mental check. Except for scrapes and bruises, she was still in good shape. She used her elbows to prop herself up.
The balcony they had been on was gone. Now all that was left was half a room with twisted metal shards, debris and ammunition cases that were scattered all over the remaining parts of section. Fires burned in random patches around the room, "Tanabe?" Hannah's voice sounded faint to her own ears. She called out again She remembered him being right beside her as they ran for the transporter. Still no answer or if he had tried to answer she just hadn't heard above the ringing. She pushed her helmet off and shook her head as her brain was still processing slowly. After a few minutes the ringing subsided slightly and the force of noise came to her. Fires burning, the groaning of metal, wind blowing through the room infected her hearing she looked around trying to orientate herself.
She pushed to her feet and felt new aches in her back and thighs and saw that she was bleeding from a cut along her forearm. Her eyes were starting to water from the smoke in the room.
"Tanabe?" Hannah shouted her hearing was returning. She felt something pull on her arm, she turned and saw Captain Radner.
"O'Neill, you ok?" he asked, she nodded "Ok Tanabe is pinned down I need your help" He gesture she follow him over to where the side of the room had collapsed from the explosion. She saw Tanabe lying face down his uniform was ripped and he was bleeding from several wounds on his back. A piece of hot metal leaned against his arm. Hannah pulled her TAC vest and rolled it around the metal beam. The smell of seared flesh and burning material filled Hannah's nostrils as Radner pulled the beam up and off Tanabe's arm.
Her stomach turned as some of the flesh on Tanabe's arm pulled away from his bone. She pulled Tanabe clear and Radner dropped the beam. He moved and helped her lift Tanabe up. They dragged him to the Transporter, Hannah thanked the powers that be it was still operational as Radner punched for the Infirmary. The doors closed and then opened on the Infirmary floor. They dragged Tanabe into the Infirmary which was already in a flurry of business with other wounded personnel.
Beckett spotted them and within seconds Tanabe was on a gurney and being seen to. After which he handed Tanabe off to another doctor. "Lieutenant, you're bleeding on my floor" he said half jokingly with a concerned expression.
"My apologies" Hannah said to him, she coughed as she lifted her right forearm up so the blood would run on her clothes than drip on the floor. Beckett moved her to a bed and set her up with an oxygen mask.
"Is this really necessary?" She asked holding the mask.
"Aye it is now put it back on" he told her, Hannah held the mask to her face and took deep breaths. Beckett cut her jacket sleeve away from her arm. He picked up gauze that was doused in alcohol with forceps.
"This'll sting" he told her, he wiped the gore away and Hannah hissed as the alcohol stung. Once it was clean Beckett inspected it. "Well you won't need any stitches, but you have some glass in there" he commented putting the gauze down he picked up a pair of what looking like tweezers.
"Excellent" Hannah said, she felt woozy from the oxygen and the blood or at least that's what she was going to blame at the moment. She had several cuts up her forearm and glass in the wounds. Beckett got to work pulling glass out her arm and then bandaged it for her before he moved on to her other cuts and scrapes. Hannah pulled her jacket off since it was ruined and made herself comfortable as Beckett continued to tend to her wounds. "How's Tanabe?" she asked as Beckett cleaned a graze on her forehead.
"He's stable at the moment" Beckett said, he stopped when Sheppard came up to them.
"O'Neill I just heard what happened" he told her, Hannah lifted the mask off her face.
"Just a small explosion" Hannah told him with a nonchalant shrug.
"I heard a Dart rammed your position… and that-" Sheppard said pulling up a chair.
"Everyone got out?" Hannah asked with a smile as to calm Sheppard's concerns he must had thought the worst. Beckett pushed the mask back on to her face.
"She has minor injuries Major no need to worry" Beckett told Sheppard.
"Yeah nothing I'm fine" Hannah reassured him, he looked worried for her.
"Ok we are done" Beckett said.
"Awesome, I can go right?" Hannah asked picking up her jacket.
"No, you have half hour on the tank and then you can but I want you back in two hours for a check up" Beckett told her, Hannah nodded and sank back into the chair.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" She asked Sheppard.
"Nah it's all damage control" Sheppard said with a dismissive shrug "anything I can get you?"
"Nope I'm good I'll figure myself out. Anything I should know?" Hannah asked.
"Yeah a meeting in an hour" Sheppard told her.