While she waited for the others to file into the room, Melony drank her coffee and pressed a few buttons on the oversized watch she was wearing on her left wrist. Checking the time and finding that it was mid morning on Earth, she asked Hammond to make sure that no one was in the field to the north of the Cheyenne Mountain complex, and the general sent a Marine off to make sure, already sure that he knew why she needed it cleared. Then she sent a message to the Jaffa – Tao, in particular – telling him where she'd be and requesting that he join her at his best possible time.
As Mitchell started the briefing, far above them in orbit a small craft was coming to life after several months of simply floating dead in the emptiness and loneliness of space. Lights on the control panel in the main cockpit area flickered and steadied as power was started moving through the electrical systems once more, and the onboard computer powered up as well, running a self-diagnostic before it allowed the rest of the ship's functions to activate.
While Melony was telling a stunned audience about the Wraith, Fuglier's navigational systems were engaging, already computing the best entrance into Earth's atmosphere to make a landing in the field that had been inputed as the final destination. The cloaking device engaged, and the ship was ready. It sent a signal along its main comlink, telling Mitchell just that, and while Hammond was asking what plans they'd already made to combat this new menace, Melony was telling the little ship to come on in for a landing.
"Obviously our first order of business is to protect Earth," she told Hammond. "Which means we don't let the Wraith anywhere near the Atlantis Stargate. That means we're either going to blow the city, or we're going to lure them away from the city. We haven't decided yet, and probably won't know for a couple of more weeks."
"Blow the city?" Janet asked, looking pale. "With everyone on it?"
She shook her head.
"Of course not. Jack's already starting to sort people who'll be evacuating – nonessential personnel," she added, letting Janet know as gently as possible that Daniel won't going to be one of those coming back right away. "They're not going to waste any more power than they have to, so chances are you won't hear from them until they're actually ready to send the people through."
"There's nothing we can do to help?" Hammond asked.
She shook her head.
"More people aren't going to help – in fact, if we sent more people over, it'd be a hindrance. From here, I'm going to go visit the Jaffa, and get the rest of the crystals from them – that should be a big help – and then head to Melonyville and see what technology we have there that might be able to come into play the next few weeks."
"Are you going to try and instigate a similar ploy to the one you used to defeat the Goa'uld?" A man sitting to the right asked. Colonel Thomas was someone Mitchell knew, although not that well. He'd been brought to the SGC after she'd blended with Talon and she'd only had limited contact with him. He was bright, though, and had asked a good question.
"We're going to try, I think," she said. "If we don't come up with something even better." She hesitated, and added, "It's been suggested that we use the Jaffa to try and lure the Wraith from Atlantis. Because they feed off the life force of individuals, they are strongly attracted towards those who possess symbiotes – as Teal'c and I have both discovered."
There were murmurs around the room at this, and most of them were hopeful. Mitchell was quick to temporize that hope.
"I haven't decided that it's the best plan, and I'm certainly not going to use the Jaffa only to sacrifice them. If we come up with a plan that gives them an escape, and the Jaffa are willing, we might use them, otherwise we'll just blow Atlantis and cut our losses in the Pegasus system."
"Didn't you say you've found several new races there?" Another person asked.
She nodded.
"Many, yes."
"You're willing to leave them all to the Wraith?"
Mitchell scowled, and leaned forward.
"If it's a question of saving Earth or saving these people, then yes, I'll blow Atlantis to hell and not think twice about it. Talon and I will not leave the Pegasus system, though. We're going to see this through, even if it means striking at the Wraith one hive ship at a time."
"Why don't you do that?" Asked Hammond. "Just go after them one at a time, before they reach Atlantis?"
"Because we don't have the time," she said. "Besides, Fuglier can't fit through the Stargate – although the Ancients had ships that can and so do the Wraith. Fuglier is the only ship I know of with the capabilities to knock down shields and destroy the craft – and I'm not positive it'll even work with the Wraith ships. When I'm done talking to the Jaffa, I'm going to see about converting one of the Jumpers – that's what we're calling the Ancient's ships – into a smaller version of Fuglier, but I don't know that I'll have the time – and I'm not sure the Ancient technology will mesh with Talon's. So we can't take the time. The best chance will be to strike at the Wraith when they're all in one place – and it looks like that place is going to be Atlantis…"
"Unless you lure them away…" Hammond said.
She nodded.
"The reason they're heading to Atlantis is because they know there's a connection with Atlantis and a new endless feeding ground. They don't know it's earth. They just know that we know where it is. If we figure out a way to lure them to another place, then that's what we'll do – because several people have made an issue about blowing up Atlantis."
"What about this shield you told us about?" Fraiser asked. "Can't you repower that now that you have those crystals?"
Mitchell nodded.
"We could, but even the Ancients couldn't beat back the Wraith – which is why they had to sink Atlantis. We're not sure that the crystals would make enough difference in the shielding – and really all that'd do is buy us a little more time."
"So they'd probably eventually get through the shielding…?"
"Maybe," Melony agreed. "But if we put the shield up around Atlantis, we'd be trapped there. Especially since the Wraith apparently dial in a gate and hold it open to keep people from escaping While they're attacking a planet."
"They sure sound like a nasty bunch…"
"Yeah."
Hammond sighed.
"Is there anything you need from us?"
She shook her head.
"Just be ready for the incoming travelers, sir. And refugees from the other races if they decide to come with them."
"We'll do that," Hammond assured her. "When are you leaving?"
"I need to get a few uniforms from supply, and then I'll be ready to go. Fuglier is already on her way here – she'll be landing in that field in about twenty minutes."
"You go get what you need," Hammond said. "And I'll walk you out."