1 Chapter 2
'As you may or may not be aware,' the booming voice of General Hammond rang out from the Stargate ramp. 'Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c are MIA on an alien world. Your mission is to locate and rescue them. You may possibly have to break them out of a jail. The officer in charge of this operation will be Major Gryff, and his Second-in-Command is Captain Luke Jones. I expect you to follow their orders as if they were my own. Be prepared to ship out immediately.' The experienced Major Gryff and the relatively young British soldier Captain Jones stood alongside Hammond, surveying their troops.
Almost instantly, the gate's mechanisms whirred into action, the base computer dialling the planet's address. General Hammond moved off of the ramp, and stood alongside the team's leader. One by one, the chevrons locked into place. Up until the sixth. Then, an incoming wormhole sprang into life, disrupting their plans. 'Stand by!' the General yelled, as the alarm sounded throughout the base.
The soldiers in the room were deadly still, their weapons poised, and ready to take down anything that exited that gate. It rippled, accompanied by the emergence of Colonel O'Neill, followed soon by Teal'c. They slowly stumbled down the ramp, the Colonel's face expressionless. He looked up, and saw his team members Major Carter and Daniel Jackson staring down at them through the control room window, both breaking into huge smiles.
Without a word, he raised his hand to them, exposing a now glowing ribbon device and instantaneously the glass high above him shattered into millions of pieces, showering everyone inside. His eyes flared red, and he directed his hand device towards the troops below. A wave of light reached out, sending them sprawling backwards. Teal'c lowered his staff weapon, and began taking shots at the humans before him. 'Open fire!' commanded General Hammond, his eyes wide in complete shock. He sealed the doors either side of the room, and grabbed a gun off of one of the officers nearby.
It was no good. Every single bullet launched at the intruder simply reflected off a Goa'uld force field that seemed to cover both himself and Teal'c. And the situation worsened; as several Jaffa sealed in deep blue armour stepped through the gate and began opening fire at the troops in front of them. 'Close the iris!' Hammond ordered, but the instant the metal jammed shut, a blast from the hand weapon of the former Colonel tore it apart.
Men on all sides were falling, until only a few remained, including Hammond. O'Neill raised his hands, silencing the staff fire, and Hammond did likewise.
There was a western style face off between the two leaders. No one spoke. Out of the corner of his eye, O'Neill could see Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson rising to their feet, and returning their stare back to him. He waved his hand, and the gate shut of. He and his small army of Jaffa slowly walked down the steps, and he barked at the few remaining Tau'ri to lower their guns. Hammond encouraged them to do so.
'People of the Tau'ri!' he said, his eyes glowing red again. 'This is but a mere game. I have demonstrated my powers to you. But now the games are over. I shall return, and Earth shall once again feel the wrath of Ptah, greatest of the Gods!' Hammond was startled as the gate suddenly activated again, and slowly the Jaffa returned through it. O'Neill also followed, shadowed by Teal'c, but as he departed, George Hammond could have sworn he heard a cry for help from the still lips of his 2IC.
'Medic team to the embarkation room!' a voice rang out around the base. The survivors in the room were now limited to General Hammond, Captain Jones, Major Gryff and two others who seemed to have pretty serious wounds. The rest were lying comatose, surrounded by severed limbs, blood and other things too unhealthy to think about. Within minutes a team of Doctors had arrived, and were administering first aid to the two wounded, as well as removing some of the other bodies. Hammond didn't move. He stood in the same place, his feet in a pool of his men's blood, looking at the devastation. Eleven men dead, two of the best lost to the enemy. The Goa'uld were going to pay for this.
Back in the debriefing room 30 minutes later, there was silence again. General Hammond, Daniel Jackson, Major Gryff, Major Davis and Captain Jones all bowed their heads. Doctor Fraser was furiously attempting to save the lives of the two downed soldiers. No one had anything to say. But something had to give.
'Sir?' Daniel ventured nervously. 'We need to think of our next action. We can't just sit around here and wait for this Goa'uld to destroy us.
'I know Dr Jackson. I just have no idea of what to do. I have witnessed first hand how strong this Goa'uld is. And you have mentioned yourself how it's greatest asset is its intelligence.'
Major Davis joined the conversation. 'What exactly do you mean by its intelligence Doctor?' He, of course, had missed the majority of the first conversation.
'By that I mean that this Goa'uld not only has the ability to create more and more powerful weapons, but has the power to think rationally. He can see through his arrogance. We have lost our greatest asset in the battle. Previously, we have managed to escape from and destroy many Goa'uld's because of their refusal to simply act on instinct. They must be the biggest bully in the playground, as it were. But my gut feeling tells me that this time, he won't care how he kills us.'
'He has already demonstrated his intelligence by using Jack as his new host.' Hammond added. He looked personally insulted that the Goa'uld dare take one of his own men as a host. Let alone force him to parade in front of them, killing them.
'But what about Teal'c? Has he been brainwashed again?' Davis asked.
'It is possible. Of course it is also possible that he is just following Jack's orders…. although that is highly unlikely.'
'General, off world activation.'
'Now what?' Davis moaned. 'Not the Goa'uld again?'
'No worries Davis, it's just Major Carter returning from the Tollan home world. She has decided to inform them of our situation in hope of gaining some aid. We have also sent envoys to the Asgard protected planets, but no luck so far. The Tollan's are our last chance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just find out what help we have received.' He pushed back his chair and left the room, hurrying down to the now clean embarkation room. He saluted the return of Carter, and listened with intent as she revealed to him with excitement the promises that had been made.
'They have agreed to help us Sir, as well as the representatives of the Tok'ra who had stationed themselves there. As long as we can get the President to their planet to sign a treaty, they have offered us as many of those Ion Cannons we need to adequately prevent a mothership attacking us. They have also promised any extra help we need to defend ourselves.'
'You mean that they broke their longest and strictest rule? That makes no sense, after their previous refusals. Why would they do such a thing?'
'Word travels fast through space Sir. Well, sound cannot literally travel through space, but you know what I mean. Apparently, the Tollan have heard of Ptah before. They themselves are running scared. They need all the help they can get. That's the small print of the treaty though Sir.'
'What is?' Hammond replied sternly, his eyebrow's raised in dreaded anticipation.
'In exchange for any of the blueprints, technology, energy sources and anything else we want, we have to join the Tollan and the Tok'ra in an active fight against Ptah. The Tok'ra have suffered many casualties to this new Goa'uld, and have formed a strong alliance with the Tollan. Basically, the deal is that the Tok'ra provide the information, the Tollan the weapons and we provide the manpower.' She stared at him, trying to anticipate his reaction to this.
'I'll have to inform the President of this latest development. Meanwhile Major, I would like you to inform the entire base that it is on complete standby. From the moment SG-16 return from their off world mission, no more teams are to be sent out. Is that clear?'
'Yes Sir!' she saluted, and watched as her Commanding Officer returned to his office and his little red phone.
Authors Note: This chapter will more than likely be edited soon, coz I think that there is far too much going on in a short space of time. But review and tell me what you think could be improved please!
'As you may or may not be aware,' the booming voice of General Hammond rang out from the Stargate ramp. 'Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c are MIA on an alien world. Your mission is to locate and rescue them. You may possibly have to break them out of a jail. The officer in charge of this operation will be Major Gryff, and his Second-in-Command is Captain Luke Jones. I expect you to follow their orders as if they were my own. Be prepared to ship out immediately.' The experienced Major Gryff and the relatively young British soldier Captain Jones stood alongside Hammond, surveying their troops.
Almost instantly, the gate's mechanisms whirred into action, the base computer dialling the planet's address. General Hammond moved off of the ramp, and stood alongside the team's leader. One by one, the chevrons locked into place. Up until the sixth. Then, an incoming wormhole sprang into life, disrupting their plans. 'Stand by!' the General yelled, as the alarm sounded throughout the base.
The soldiers in the room were deadly still, their weapons poised, and ready to take down anything that exited that gate. It rippled, accompanied by the emergence of Colonel O'Neill, followed soon by Teal'c. They slowly stumbled down the ramp, the Colonel's face expressionless. He looked up, and saw his team members Major Carter and Daniel Jackson staring down at them through the control room window, both breaking into huge smiles.
Without a word, he raised his hand to them, exposing a now glowing ribbon device and instantaneously the glass high above him shattered into millions of pieces, showering everyone inside. His eyes flared red, and he directed his hand device towards the troops below. A wave of light reached out, sending them sprawling backwards. Teal'c lowered his staff weapon, and began taking shots at the humans before him. 'Open fire!' commanded General Hammond, his eyes wide in complete shock. He sealed the doors either side of the room, and grabbed a gun off of one of the officers nearby.
It was no good. Every single bullet launched at the intruder simply reflected off a Goa'uld force field that seemed to cover both himself and Teal'c. And the situation worsened; as several Jaffa sealed in deep blue armour stepped through the gate and began opening fire at the troops in front of them. 'Close the iris!' Hammond ordered, but the instant the metal jammed shut, a blast from the hand weapon of the former Colonel tore it apart.
Men on all sides were falling, until only a few remained, including Hammond. O'Neill raised his hands, silencing the staff fire, and Hammond did likewise.
There was a western style face off between the two leaders. No one spoke. Out of the corner of his eye, O'Neill could see Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson rising to their feet, and returning their stare back to him. He waved his hand, and the gate shut of. He and his small army of Jaffa slowly walked down the steps, and he barked at the few remaining Tau'ri to lower their guns. Hammond encouraged them to do so.
'People of the Tau'ri!' he said, his eyes glowing red again. 'This is but a mere game. I have demonstrated my powers to you. But now the games are over. I shall return, and Earth shall once again feel the wrath of Ptah, greatest of the Gods!' Hammond was startled as the gate suddenly activated again, and slowly the Jaffa returned through it. O'Neill also followed, shadowed by Teal'c, but as he departed, George Hammond could have sworn he heard a cry for help from the still lips of his 2IC.
'Medic team to the embarkation room!' a voice rang out around the base. The survivors in the room were now limited to General Hammond, Captain Jones, Major Gryff and two others who seemed to have pretty serious wounds. The rest were lying comatose, surrounded by severed limbs, blood and other things too unhealthy to think about. Within minutes a team of Doctors had arrived, and were administering first aid to the two wounded, as well as removing some of the other bodies. Hammond didn't move. He stood in the same place, his feet in a pool of his men's blood, looking at the devastation. Eleven men dead, two of the best lost to the enemy. The Goa'uld were going to pay for this.
Back in the debriefing room 30 minutes later, there was silence again. General Hammond, Daniel Jackson, Major Gryff, Major Davis and Captain Jones all bowed their heads. Doctor Fraser was furiously attempting to save the lives of the two downed soldiers. No one had anything to say. But something had to give.
'Sir?' Daniel ventured nervously. 'We need to think of our next action. We can't just sit around here and wait for this Goa'uld to destroy us.
'I know Dr Jackson. I just have no idea of what to do. I have witnessed first hand how strong this Goa'uld is. And you have mentioned yourself how it's greatest asset is its intelligence.'
Major Davis joined the conversation. 'What exactly do you mean by its intelligence Doctor?' He, of course, had missed the majority of the first conversation.
'By that I mean that this Goa'uld not only has the ability to create more and more powerful weapons, but has the power to think rationally. He can see through his arrogance. We have lost our greatest asset in the battle. Previously, we have managed to escape from and destroy many Goa'uld's because of their refusal to simply act on instinct. They must be the biggest bully in the playground, as it were. But my gut feeling tells me that this time, he won't care how he kills us.'
'He has already demonstrated his intelligence by using Jack as his new host.' Hammond added. He looked personally insulted that the Goa'uld dare take one of his own men as a host. Let alone force him to parade in front of them, killing them.
'But what about Teal'c? Has he been brainwashed again?' Davis asked.
'It is possible. Of course it is also possible that he is just following Jack's orders…. although that is highly unlikely.'
'General, off world activation.'
'Now what?' Davis moaned. 'Not the Goa'uld again?'
'No worries Davis, it's just Major Carter returning from the Tollan home world. She has decided to inform them of our situation in hope of gaining some aid. We have also sent envoys to the Asgard protected planets, but no luck so far. The Tollan's are our last chance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just find out what help we have received.' He pushed back his chair and left the room, hurrying down to the now clean embarkation room. He saluted the return of Carter, and listened with intent as she revealed to him with excitement the promises that had been made.
'They have agreed to help us Sir, as well as the representatives of the Tok'ra who had stationed themselves there. As long as we can get the President to their planet to sign a treaty, they have offered us as many of those Ion Cannons we need to adequately prevent a mothership attacking us. They have also promised any extra help we need to defend ourselves.'
'You mean that they broke their longest and strictest rule? That makes no sense, after their previous refusals. Why would they do such a thing?'
'Word travels fast through space Sir. Well, sound cannot literally travel through space, but you know what I mean. Apparently, the Tollan have heard of Ptah before. They themselves are running scared. They need all the help they can get. That's the small print of the treaty though Sir.'
'What is?' Hammond replied sternly, his eyebrow's raised in dreaded anticipation.
'In exchange for any of the blueprints, technology, energy sources and anything else we want, we have to join the Tollan and the Tok'ra in an active fight against Ptah. The Tok'ra have suffered many casualties to this new Goa'uld, and have formed a strong alliance with the Tollan. Basically, the deal is that the Tok'ra provide the information, the Tollan the weapons and we provide the manpower.' She stared at him, trying to anticipate his reaction to this.
'I'll have to inform the President of this latest development. Meanwhile Major, I would like you to inform the entire base that it is on complete standby. From the moment SG-16 return from their off world mission, no more teams are to be sent out. Is that clear?'
'Yes Sir!' she saluted, and watched as her Commanding Officer returned to his office and his little red phone.
Authors Note: This chapter will more than likely be edited soon, coz I think that there is far too much going on in a short space of time. But review and tell me what you think could be improved please!
