13 – Going Back

(Delta – Camp Pegasus, USS Spera – 13.02.2022, 1205)

The modifications to the escape pod were complete. As for who would be doing the time travelling, Mitchell had decided that their best chance to pull this off, was strength in numbers. So SG-1, NR-6 and NR-7 would all be going through the Stargate. Since they were going back to rescue both Liberty and Atlantis, lethal force was not really an option. Fortunately, the Satedans had provided the teams with dart guns loaded with tranquilizers.

As for how they would go back. Between their knowledge of the local star and a pile of math, the science team had figured out where and when to trigger a solar flare. The New Asurans had provided a satellite that would emit a particle beam that would do the job. All Mitchell and his team would have to do, was dial the Stargate when the time came. Alec Colson had figured out how to reactive the countdown clock, which had been dormant since Spera had appeared at Earth six months ago.

"Two minutes," Eli said.

The three teams were in the Gate Room. Spera would dial M4X-202, which was the only Gate that would have the wormhole travel at the right angle they needed to make this work. From there, they would dial Atlantis. Which was where things would get tricky. They would have to travel to the Terran universe and prevent the sabotage of the Liberty.

Ironically, it was the dimension hopping gear that they had found attached to the ships hyperdrive that would allow them to finish the mission. The science folks had made a copy of the device, which they would attach to the hyperdrive of one the 304's. Then they would leap into the Terran universe and the fun and games would begin in earnest.

"Is Alex tucked in ?" Mitchell asked. Alex was the codename for their dimension hopper.

"Snug as a bug in rug," Tamara Johansson said.

"Thirty seconds," Eli said.

The clock hit ten seconds and the Stargate began dialing. Despite everything, Eli couldn't help smiling when the vortex rolled back into the puddle. Mitchell gave him a wink, then stepped through the Gate. ~Time to earn you paycheck, Eli.~ He drew his dart gun and followed the Colonel through the puddle.

(Atlantis – Operations Center – 06.02.2022, 1302)

Amelia Banks was running things in the Operations Center. They had just gotten a transmission from the Alpha Site, which had proof that the Wraith were about launch a massive attack against the city. Colonel Sheppard and Mister Woolsey were busy making calls. They were pulling together a fleet to defend the city. Meanwhile, McKay, Ronon and Teyla were preparing the city itself. They had also ordered the two teams that were off-world to return to the city as soon as possible. So Banks was not surprised when the Gate was activated. But what did surprise her, was the IDC that came through.

~What the…~ She ordered the Gate shield lowered. Soon after, SG-1 stepped through. They were followed by two more teams. The sight of these two teams made Banks frown. She activated her radio and contacted Colonel Sheppard. As she did so, Colonel Mitchell came up the stairs. The rest of the group stayed down in the Gate Room.

"Banks," He said with a nod. "I need to talk to Colonel Sheppard."

"He's on his way, sir." In a case of perfect timing, Colonel Sheppard entered the Operations Center. His eyebrows went up when he saw Mitchell standing there. "Colonel Mitchell just arrived from M4X-202, sir."

"We took the scenic route," Mitchell said.

"Does this have to do with the fact that the Wraith are about to kick off another war ?"

"Yes."

Sheppard nodded and led the way to the nearby briefing room.

(Sub-Atlantis – Street, Third Circle – 13.02.2022, 0935)

While Amelia Banks was in the Operations Center, she was also in the third circle of Sub-Atlantis. Admiral Quinn and his people were about to execute her and dozens of innocent people. They pulled the triggers, launching a wall of energy bolts. The last thing she saw before she was vaporized, was the horrified look on Todd's face. ~He is very different that our Todd.~ It was only then that she realized that, for lack of a better term, she was still around. Which was odd, considering she had just been vaporized. ~Haven't I ?~ She tried to move, but couldn't. Fear flooded her mind as she realized that she might have been send…~Downstairs ?~

"Not exactly," A male voice said. "It's just that Human bodies aren't exactly meant for this timey-wimey stuff."

~What is that supposed to mean ?~

"We froze time," A female voice said. "I'm afraid that we might have slightly overdone it," It was at this point that Banks felt her body unfreeze. "Sorry about that."

Banks stood up and looked around. It was at this point that twelve flames came up through the floor. They morphed into seven women and five men. Amelia had never seen the Ori herself, but she had read Daniel Jackson's notes on them. And it was pretty clear that these people were the local version of the species. They were being led by a dark-skinned man with short, black hair.

"Greetings, I am Zachary, leader of Ori."

"Nice to meet you, Zachary," Banks said as she got to her feet. "So, how exactly does that work ?"

"Simple, I was the first to ascend. Well, the first local to ascend. Have you heard of a vessel called Destiny ?"

"Yes, but it travelled through a rift to…," It clicked in her head. ~Of course, it makes sense.~ "It went to the next universe, THIS universe. So, is there a version of Destiny in this universe as well ?"

"Let's discuss that later, when we're dealing with an evil Admiral about to vaporize innocent people," Zachary began. "Anyway, the crew of your Destiny put us on the path to ascension."

Banks nodded. She remembered a report that Eli Wallace had once written about ascension. It had contained a quote from Nicholas Rush. ~Ascension is a process by which consciousness converts to energy, which longer requires physical form.~ She also remembered that only the pure hearted could ascend. Which had ruled out the Ancients. And their acts had made the universe a lot crueler, making ascension a lot more rare.

"So, is this all of you ?"

"Yes," Zachary said. "Which is why we couldn't stop the Terrans when they invaded the Ori galaxy. So, instead we've been watching Atlantis for a chance to ruin the Terrans' day. This seemed to qualify."

"Not that I'm complaining. But what exactly do you have in mind ?"

Zachary smiled. Which made Banks think that he had a plan. And that whatever it was, the Terrans weren't going to like it one bit.

(Atlantis – Royal Chambers – 13.02.2022, 0945)

Far above, Colonel Sheppard was being led into the Royal Chambers. The first thing he noticed when he entered the room, was what was left of a Terran Colonel on the floor. And not just any colonel, it was Colonel Marshal Summers. From the looks of it, the man had been riddled by bolts from an energy weapon. ~The same model I got from the Emperor.~ Which made him realize that the Emperor wasn't here. He noticed a scorch mark on the floor. And the look on Banks' face made it clear what had happened. ~She vaporized him.~ And if Summers had been loyal to him…

"Admiral Lorne, go and transmit the first series of orders," Empress Banks said.

"Yes, your highness," Lorne bowed and walked out, taking the guards that had brought Sheppard up here with him.

"So, are you going to vaporize me as well ?" Sheppard asked.

"No, but your friends down in Sub-Atlantis might not be so lucky," A nasty smile grew on her face. "I don't want my husband's allies to know what I did to him yet." She gestured towards what was left of Summers. "So you will help me keep up the illusion that he is still alive. Or else, your friends in the slave city will pay the price. And make no mistake, I will wipe out every man, women and child down there to keep you line. Understood ?"

If his hands had not been cuffed, he would have attacked Banks. But before he could ponder it further, the roof seemed to freeze. Then it seemed to catch fire. But while it the first, it did not do the second. Instead, the flames coalesced into the form of a man. ~Who is this guy ?~ It was at this point that Sheppard unfroze.

"Colonel Sheppard, I presume ?"

"That's me. And you are ?"

"Zachary, leader of the Ori. And yes, I know that Ex Deus Machina is a total cliché. But as long as it saves those people, do you care ?"

"No," Sheppard said. "So, what's the plan ?"

"A little temporal manipulation, Colonel."

Before he could ask what exactly this meant, the room dissolved in fire. When the fire faded away, he was back in the third circle. The odd thing was that he was watching himself walk away. He realized that the Ori had moved him back in time. Admiral Quinn and his soldiers were readying their weapons, clearly intending to vaporize Banks and the hostages. The triggers were pulled and the Ori made themselves known to the Terran Empire for the first time.

(Sub-Atlantis – Street, Third Circle – 13.02.2022, 0935)

Teyla and Guide watched as Quinn and his troops opened fire. And then… Their energy bolts froze in midair. Then they faded out of existence. Quinn turned to his troops and was about to bark an order. But he never got a chance. The ground between the troops and the hostages began to glow and soon a wall of flame formed. Before Quinn for say anything, the fire expanded and engulfed his troops. When the flames died down, only a pile of smoking ashes was left.

Quinn blinked twice, then bolted from the street. As soon as he was gone, there was another flame. When it faded, Colonel Sheppard was standing there. Next to him was man Teyla had never met before. This man turned to the gathered crowd, who were still shocked from what had happened to the Terrans. His voice was calm and friendly.

"Greetings, people of Sub-Atlantis, I am Zachary. And we are the Ori," He began. "Spread the word far and wide, let the Terrans know this…we have watched and waited. But these days are over. This is the first time we have foiled the Empire, but it will not be the last. Goodbye."

The man turned into a flame, which then vanished through the floor. As soon as he was gone, she crowd erupted into whispers. The hostages got to their feet. Some left, some reunited with their families and others spoke with friends. At the same time, Banks – the other Banks, not Empress – seemed to fade in out of nowhere.

"Sheppard, what just happened ?" Guide asked.

"I'll tell you the long version on the way to the next circle."

Guide nodded and the group headed out.