This is the penultimate chapter of Halogate. I'm going to try to make the ending as satisfying as possible, because I don't think I'll get around to writing Halogate Extinction. If you want a continuation, you'll have to write it yourself.
Atlantis – October 27, 2552
Weir looked out over the balcony and wondered if they would be ready. Was she doing her job well enough?
For that matter, the city was really under the control of Colonel Sumner. All she did was manage the mundane stuff, like making sure there was food and that everyone had somewhere to sleep. It was just as important, but it didn't seem as glamorous.
The last week-and-a-bit had been fairly successful. They had managed to acquire a ZPM from a brotherhood that had stashed one away for the Ancients to collect when they returned. To say that Weir doubted they would return was a massive understatement, but the brotherhood had believed they were Ancients and given them the ZPM. It was almost fully charged. Dr. McKay said that the shield over the city would probably be able to take a lot of plasma weapons fire, but they couldn't stay under it forever.
Fortunately, they managed to acquire some more drones. There was a similar city to Atlantis half-buried on another planet. A small nobility used their ability to use the drones to protect the people. They were corrupt, but the Spartans intimidated them into giving up their drones and ZPM, which had a lot less charge. Weir didn't approve of their methods, but this was war, and if the fate of one, possibly two galaxies was at stake, so be it.
Defensive positions were set up all around the city. When the attack came, all non-military personnel would fall back to the now-fortified tower. Everyone was armed and armored, even herself. The Covenant would probably want to take the city rather than destroy it.
Of course, the city had a self-destruct. They figured out how to use it, and if they were losing, they would destroy Atlantis. The Pegasus Alpha Site was as ready as possible, which was not very. Most likely they would not be able to return to Earth, not with the ZPMs powering the shield and weapons. And if they survived the Covenant, would they survive the Wraith? They hadn't had more than passing encounters, but from what she heard, they were a powerful alien race that ate people.
But would they be ready enough? The Covenant couldn't get to Atlantis via Earth and had to do it through conventional hyperdrive. Still, they were practically on top of them, and reinforcements wouldn't arrive for another week or longer.
"Ma'am, Covenant ships are dropping out of hyperspace. At least a dozen battlecruisers, two carriers of unknown type, and several smaller ships."
She nodded and headed back inside. Newly installed blast doors closed over the literally Ancient ones.
"Raise the shield," Colonel Sumner ordered. A technician pressed a few buttons and the shield quickly formed a dome over the city.
"Sir, we are receiving a transmission. Audio and visual."
"Prepare the drones for-" Sumner was interrupted by Dr. Weir.
"Put it on," she said. An image of a few Elites on what seemed like the bridge of one of the ships appeared on the screen. One turned to face them.
"I am Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum. I know you assume we are the enemy, we are not."
Colonel Sumner was about to say something when Weir glared at him and cut him off. "Alright, Shipmaster, we're willing to hear you out."
"I would ask to meet you in person, but you would need to drop your shields, and I know you are not fools.
"We, the Sangheili, were betrayed. As you may know, we have always been the protectors of the Prophets. Only weeks ago, an unprecedented event happened. The Jiralhanae replaced us in our role. That was not the worst of it.
"I learned the truth of the Halo rings from the Arbiter. If the Prophet of Truth succeeds in activating the rings, all life in our home galaxy will be destroyed.
"You have weakened our kind, but you have weakened the Covenant as whole more. We did not split peacefully, but there is not enough left to stop us. This is half our fleet. The rest is defending Sanghelios. However, if Truth fails, there will be little left of the old Covenant. We will assist in defending the Ark, as it is our only choice."
"How do we know this isn't a trick?" Sumner asked.
"Because if it was, we would already be firing upon you, regardless of the consequences. The Covenant loyalist fleet will be here in a matter of hours. You can fire on us and waste your precious drone weapons, or you can allow us to join you. I will give you time to discuss the matter." He ended the transmission.
"We can never trust the Covenant, no matter who or what they claim to be!" Colonel Sumner nearly yelled, "They destroyed our colonies, they attacked Earth!"
"Calm down, Colonel," Dr. Weir said, "Let's assume for a moment that they are telling the truth. That they really are different. Truth is sending his entire fleet, and we need all the help we can get. I doubt we'll be able to convince them to leave orbit, and firing on them would be insane."
"Have you fought the Covenant, Doctor? Have you looked one in the eye? Killed one?" Sumner challenged, "Have you even met an Elite before?"
"Colonel, I am in charge of non-military matters on this base. Despite what you may think, alliances with other races and factions is considered a non-military matter," she glared at Sumner, "This matter is closed. We will accept their assistance with gratitude."
Shadow of Intent
"Receiving a transmission, Shipmaster."
The female human appeared on the screen. "Shipmaster, we accept your assistance-"
"Shipmaster, Loyalist forces dropping out of hyperspace!"
Atlantis
"Six assault carriers, twenty battlecruisers, and almost forty smaller ships, sir."
"Major Sheppard, get down to the chair room, but do not fire until I give the order," Sumner ordered. SG-1 didn't like it, but Sheppard was the best with the chair, and they needed him.
"Sir, Sangheili vessels are engaging the Covenant forces."
Shadow of Intent
The Sangheili fleet didn't stand a chance, but they were determined to stand their ground. The Shadow of Intent fired the first shot. Her energy projector tore through a Loyalist CCS-class battlecruiser, then all hell broke loose. Both sides fired massive barrages of plasma torpedoes and the largest ships fired their energy projectors. Point-defense weapons were of some use, but not much.
"Shipmaster, we are taking heavy losses! Half our fleet is gone, including the Righteous Justice, and we've lost our energy projector."
"We will hold our ground," Rtas 'Vadum said as an energy beam lanced through the hull, shaking the whole ship violently, "We have no choice. Fire plasma torpedoes, our shields are almost down anyway."
The console in front of him bleeped. It was a short text message from Atlantis. "Draw them closer." The Shipmaster considered it for a moment. "Do it, pull back towards the planet," he ordered as plasma torpedoes slammed into the cruiser next to them, destroying it in a dozen hits.
Atlantis
"Sir, the Sangheili fleet has taken massive losses. They have one assault carrier, three battlecruisers, and nine- make that eight- smaller vessels. Covenant Loyalist fleet has taken some losses- down one carrier, seven battlecruisers, and a dozen destroyers and frigates."
"This better work, doctor," Sumner growled, "They're getting their asses kicked, and we're next."
The lieutenant turned back to his console. "Wait- Covenant forces are within the outer envelope of drone range and are still engaging the Sangheili exclusively."
Sumner just nodded, "We have to wait a bit longer. Right now it'll just be a waste of drones and power."
Shadow of Intent
"We have lost shields and main power! Half of our torpedo launchers are non-functional and we have hull breaches on every deck! Shipmaster, the Shadow of Intent cannot take much more of this!"
Rtas watched as one of his destroyers was smashed to pieces. "You are right. Whatever the humans do, they must do it soon."
Atlantis
"There are six Sangheili ships left and the bulk of the fleet is still out there. Colonel, we have to act now!" Dr. Weir said.
"They're still not close enough! They'll just shoot them down, or dodge them," he countered.
Sheppard, who was listening to the entire conversation, finally had enough. "Sir, do you have any fucking idea what you're talking about? These are drones, not Archer missiles. You can't shoot them down. Range doesn't slow them down- they're just as lethal. And we've already let most of the fleet die. So whether you're done arguing or not, I'm just going to start firing."
Outside, streams of the yellow projectiles streamed out of launchers around the city. "Major you will stand down immediately!" Sumner yelled. He ran in the direction of the drone room, but found the doors were closed and wouldn't respond to him at all.
Shadow of Intent
"Shipmaster-"
"There is no need, I see it." Streams of the bright yellow drones swarmed around the Sangheili ships, ripping through the Loyalist forces. There seemed to be thousands of them, dancing in and out of the ships, ripping them to pieces. They tried to fire on Atlantis but only got a handful of shots off before being ripped to shreds. It was, in a way, beautiful. Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum had heard of it before, and always thought he'd be on the receiving end. Still, it was incredible, beyond what any of the reports had said.
"It is over, Shipmaster."
"Yes, it is over. But it has also only begun."
Atlantis
Around Atlantis, almost everyone cheered. It was kind of anti-climactic, but hey, they had won. It may even be the end of the Covenant.
"Sir, all targets destroyed. We've almost drained our ZPMs, but the shield is holding. We have some drones left, but not enough to defend against a major assault."
"Hopefully they won't be coming back," Dr. Weir turned to Sumner, "Colonel, I'm relieving you of your duties as military commander of Atlantis. Until further notice you are confined to your quarters."
"You can't do that! You don't have the authority!" the Colonel yelled.
"Actually, I do. It's in the expedition orders. Marines, escort him out."
Well, probably not the best chapter. I'm especially not happy with the space battle. But it's better than nothing, right? I think it's still a pretty good ending, though. The last chapter will clean up some loose ends and give it a more final conclusion. I think I'll work on Stargate Domination first, though.
