We Come in Peace

The Samantha Carter flashed through the wormhole, tracking and following the little ship that had lifted off from planet Wheel. At the point of wormhole entry, the communications traffic had ceased and eerie silence reigned where lively chatter had existed before. O'Neill looked curiously at the communications panel.

So...why aren't we hearing anything on the other radio?" asked O'Neill.

Thor looked at the second communicator in the panel. Its pilot lights glowed with readiness but it was as silent as the first communicator.

"Apparently this universe has no equivalent to our hyperspace communicator," said Thor. "I believe they are using small scout ships as communications couriers. The ship we are tracking may be just such a courier, due to its small size."

Sam had been watching the screens as the small ship swung back and forth within the wormhole. Suddenly the continuous wormhole displayed a rapidly approaching end, opening up trumpet-fashion into space. "Thor," said Carter, "Something's happening here.

"What it is, ain't exactly clear, hummed O'Neill, not quite to himself.

Thor's slender hands moved surprisingly rapidly over the controls, and the ship emerged from hyperspace within visual distance of the little courier. But there was much more of interest within viewing range. The humans gazed across the viewscreen in awe, taking in the array of ships in orbit, stretching from horizon to horizon around the planet. One of the larger ships broke formation and approached them. The short-range communicator came to life.

"This is Commander Coleman of the Attack Ship Mistral Dawn. Arriving ships identify yourselves."

Daniel Jackson translated the language for the rest. But before he could respond to Coleman, a different voice spoke from the communicator. "This is Systems Courier Ship Thistledown Messenger out of Wheel City, Lieutenant Trask and Ensign Sikes on board, reporting for duty, sir."

"Very well, Lieutenant," responded Coleman. "Report to the Siege Perilous, forty-two degrees farther around the orbit. Second ship, your configuration is unfamiliar to me. Identify yourself."

The humans and Teal'c stood in a small group around Thor's command chair as he manipulated the control board. Suddenly the viewscreen cleared and displayed the picture of a Commonwealth officer in High Guard uniform. His eyes widened slightly as the picture of the little group appeared on his own viewscreen.

"This is Doctor Daniel Jackson of the Asgard ship Samantha Carter," said Daniel. " On board are General Jack O'Neill, Colonel Samantha Carter, Teal'c, and Commander Thor, the Captain of this ship. We have come here by accident, but we bring a warning of a very dangerous enemy who has preceded us."

While Daniel spoke, Commander Coleman had been manipulating some controls off screen, and now he was apparently comparing an off screen image with what he saw on his main viewscreen. "Please excuse me for a moment," he said, as his image disappeared from the screen. The communications console came back to life, but with low fidelity audio only, obviously on a different channel.

"This is Coleman of the Mistral Dawn. Code Orange, I repeat, I am declaring a Code Orange. Possible hostile force, need urgent assistance."

Thor reached over and toggled a control. A graphic representation of a force field surrounded the ship's display on the systems status panel. Coleman's voice came again.

"They've just initiated the same kind of energy barrier that the machine ship had before we destroyed it. Also, one of the passengers looks exactly like the female human who was controlling the machines on the planet's surface. Approach with caution."

"Uh-oh," said O'Neill, hearing Daniel's translation. "This CAN'T be good."

The tactical display showed several of the larger ships breaking orbit and approaching the area. The viewscreen snapped back on, displaying Coleman's image. "Doctor Jackson," he said, "You will shut down your ship's energy barrier and allow us to board and inspect your vessel. Failure to do so will result in your destruction. Do you understand?"

"I believe there's been a misunderstanding," responded Daniel. "Is Captain Dylan Hunt here with you? Because he knows us very well."

"One moment," said Coleman, deactivating the viewscreen again. The communicator audio came to life on the low-fi channel again.

"Mistral Dawn to Andromeda Ascendant on Tactical Channel Beta. Captain Hunt, one of the occupants of the alien ship says his name is Daniel Jackson and that he knows you. Is this true?"

"Andromeda to Mistral," came the familiar voice of Dylan Hunt. "Joshua, if Daniel is with that group, then they are our friends. I will come to your location and assess the situation."

"Understood, Dylan," said Coleman. "Mistral Dawn to fleet, stand down Code Orange to Code Yellow. Return to patrol locations. Coleman out."

The viewscreen came back to life. "Doctor Jackson," said Coleman, "Captain Hunt is indeed present, and he will be here momentarily. On behalf of the Commonwealth and the High Guard, I welcome you into orbit of Arzawa III."

"Well that certainly took a turn for the better," said O'Neill. "These guys don't screw around. I LIKE that!"

Thor deactivated the shields and watched as the sleek form of the Andromeda approached.