A/N

That is it – Chapter 3.

Our heroes manage to put in use the anti-prior gun but at a cost.

Now, read and review, and enjoy!

I welcome all kinds of flames, suggestion and comments.

Lordheaven


Disclaimer: The characters of SG1 and Atlantis belong to MGM.

Chapter 3

Bitter Loss

"Off-world activation." – Walter announced.

General Landry arrived at the gate room. He hoped Lt. Colonel Carter has managed to contact the Asgards and the To'kra. They've recently received word that the Odysseus and the Orion will be at SGC in two weeks. The IRIS was up and they were waiting for the IDC.

"Receiving an IDC." – Walter said. "It is Colonel Carter's."

"Open the IRIS." – Landry ordered.

Samantha Carter and Teal'c crossed the gate. They looked exhausted but had happy faces. They made their way to the briefing room where Landry was expecting them.

"Well?" – The general asked.

"We made successful contact with the To'kra. They promised to send four mother ships and support fleet in one week." – Sam said enthusiastically.

"What about the Asgards?"

"We've sent them a message. They have yet to respond." – Teal'c said.

"Good. The Orion and the Odysseus will arrive in two weeks with the ZPM. Good job. There might be hope for us." – Landry said satisfied.

"We have to send teams to gather information on the ORI. We have to know when they'll come." – Sam added.

"We'll do that. But first you two must rest. We have managed to extrapolate the possible course of the ORI fleet. We'll send SG-8 and 9 on the planets of their passage to gather Intel." – Landry said.


Four days later, SG-8 returned to SGC. They've been on one of the possible planets where was expected that the ORI fleet will pass, and hopefully they had.

"General Landry. We have seen a battle group of one hundred ORI vessels. One of them landed on the planet. They have priors on board."

"This can't be good."

"No. Also we've learnt that this just the avant-garde of their fleet."

"Did you learn anything regarding their arrival here?"

"Well, it seems that they are waiting for reinforcement from their galaxy. But beyond that we haven't learnt anything else."

"Good job. Go to rest."

"Yes, sir."

General Landry moved to his office and sat behind his desk. At least the good news was that the ORI were not going to attack in the next three hopefully four weeks, which gives them time to prepare and man a good defense. But the number of their fleet was a big concern. After all, Earth had only two warships plus the F-302s but this might not be enough. Hopefully, the To'kra would send four mother ships and support fleet but will it be enough that was what Landry was asking himself. The hope was in the Asgards. Perhaps they would provide them with more ships and maybe come up with a plan how to turn the anti-prior gun into a large-scale weapon, at least to render the priors incapable of using their super power.


SG-9 arrived at P9X-455 the last planet on their list. They hoped that the ORI would past by this planet. So far they haven't gathered much Intel. The villager elders have greeted them and provided with food and shelter. It seemed that here the whether was quite stormy. The elders have mentioned that Priors have passed by their planet some time ago. But most unusually they haven't offered the path to ascension to them.

"Sir." – Lieutenant Grogan said breathless coming in the hut SG-9 was in.

"Yes, Lieutenant." – Major Kovacek said.

"Two ORI vessels have landed on the other side of the hill."

"Alright SG-9, let's check them out but remain low as possible." – The major ordered. "We need to know what they're up to."

SG-9 geared up and followed lieutenant Grogan. They passed by the elders' house to take good-bye and headed to the hill on the other side of the mountain where Grogan had seen them land.

They arrived at the top of the hill and by the orders of the major splinted in two groups. The major commanded one and the lieutenant the other one.

Major Kovacek's team saw that the ORI have already established a command post and the Priors were heading to the village, which was a relief given that they could have detected their presence.

Major Kovacek ordered his men to stand by while he went on a scouting mission. He approached one of the tents and slid inside a sound-tapping device to be able to hear what the ORI was talking about and returned back to his men.

Lieutenant Grogan reached the other side of the ORI camp just in time to see the Priors leave in direction to the village. He used the field glasses to scout the entire camp. It seemed that the ORI were feeling pretty secure and comfortable. The security measures were not very tight, and his team managed to get inside the camp unnoticed. Grogan saw the major near the command tents and wondered what he was up to but then relaxed.

Grogan and his team managed to get inside the ORI vessels. They had to knock out the guards and took a look at the ORI flight plans. Grogan was satisfied because this information was invaluable. They made their way out silently and returned to the meeting point.

Some time after Major Kovacek and his team met with Lieutenant Grogan and headed back to the gate. Their mission was a success as they've learnt something extremely interesting and important. And thus they had to leave the planet as quickly and as silently as possible.

"Dial the gate to P5M-654." – Major Kovacek ordered.

"Sir?"

"Do it soldier! We must not go directly to Earth. Quickly now."

Few seconds later, the gate was dialed and SG-9 passed through arriving at P5M-654. Then the major ordered to dial SGC immediately. He command was obeyed and after transmitting the IDC and went through.


One week later, the Odysseus and the Orion reached Earth space. The two vessels remained in orbit while the command crew descended down to SGC to be briefed on the situation.

Colonel Mitchell and Shepard have quickly become friends and were spending most of their time together exchanging tales from their missions at the time they were pilots. Dr. McKay, on the other hand, was very happy working again with Samantha Carter, and Dr. Jackson had for company Teal'c.

In the briefing room, General Landry was waiting for them. The information SG-9 provided was invaluable and Earth command intended to use it to their full advantage.

"General." – Colonels Shepard and Mitchell saluted.

"Colonels. Where the docs?" – Landry replied.

"They are here." – Carter answered.

"Good. Have a sit." – Landry offered. "A week ago, SG-9 supplied us with Intel regarding the ORI intentions, as you know. The president and joint chiefs agree that we have to strike."

"Sir with all due respect." – Shepard started. "We have only two ships."

"I know that Colonel Shepard. But we've just received word from the Asgards. They have provided us with twenty ships. The To'kra fleet will remain here to provide protection for the planet while you the Asgards will take care of the Priors. This is an opportunity that we are not going to miss. If we can cripple the ORI we might be able to postpone the battle until we come up with a viable solution."

"Sir. How do we know if they haven't changed their plans? SG-9 reports that they've boarded their vessels and knocked out the guards. I mean the ORI must have understood by now who was responsible." – Carter intervened.

"It is a chance you will have to take. The orders from the President stand. For what we know this far, the ORI fleet is around four hundred vessels. And…" – Landry said.

"We have no chance in beating them." – Mitchell completed Landry's sentence.

"And we have much less that they do." – Landry shot. "Supreme Commander Thor agrees with our plan to strike and strike them we will. Thor has also agreed to turn the anti-prior gun into weapon so that you would be able to neutralize them. You have your orders, carry them out."

"Yes, sir."

"One more thing." – Landry said mysteriously. "Someone wishes to see you all so remain here."

General Landry stood up and went to his office leaving them to guess but not for long, as the door opened andBr.General O'Neil entered.

"Jack." – Daniel Jackson exclaimed.

"Daniel." – Jack O'Neil said casually.

"General." – Shepard saluted.

"John. How are things at Atlantis?" – Jack asked airily.

"Nice as usual, sir." – John replied.

"That bad, ah." – Jack rolled his eyes. "What?"

"Nice to see you, sir." – Samantha said amiably.

"Carter." – Jack's voice trailed, as he looked at her.

"O'Neil." – Teal'c saluted.

"Hey Teal'c. Sorry for Dakara." – Jack sat heavily on the chair that Landry occupied just a minute ago and crossed his arms.

"You have all received your orders I presume?" – Jack looked at them questioningly.

"Yes, sir but…" – Shepard started.

"But…?" – Jack eyed Shepard.

"But we agree that the ORI might have changed their plans and for what we know we might walk into a trap." – Mitchell answered.

"Ah." – Jack exclaimed. "And your point is?"

"His point is that…" – Shepard started.

"I get the picture." – Jack interrupted. "But the point is that we will try nonetheless. Why? Because we have suffered too many defeats and problems by the ORI and it is time to strike back."

"But we did attack, with the anti-prior gun…" – Mitchell protested.

"Only to save to planet from the plague." – Jack countered. "Look guys, I also find this plan to be cocky a bit but now we have a fleet of the little gray guys and the prior thing. So naturally we have to destroy as much as possible of theirs."

"And if it is a trap?" – Jackson asked.

"You'll go away and fly straight home." – Jack answered. "How's that?"

"It sucks."

"Yes, it does." – Jack agreed nodding.


The Orion and the Odysseus exited hyperspace and met with the Asgard's fleet. Thor transported Dr. McKay and Carter, and they started working on the anti-prior gun. In the meantime, The Orion went to scout ahead.

The hours were slowly passing and still no success in implementing the anti-prior gun and converting it to weapon. Sam was near to give up but Rodney was continuing to test his invaluable theories. Thor also was doing his best.

At last, after two exhausting days and nights, the anti-prior weapon was finalized and implemented in all Asgard and Earth ships. The Orion has reported that the ORI fleet is near by and the time of the operation was close. All preparations have been made, the Asgards and the Earth ships jumped into hyperspace.


The ORI fleet has just dropped out of hyperspace. The Prior shuttles were ready to transport them down to the planet surface where they had to receive further instructions from the ORI regarding their crusade and the defeat of Earth. They had no idea that Earth had send a task force to attack them so the ORI commanders were feeling very secure and they didn't bother even to scan the area. But they should have.

In orbit of the planet, there were four moons. Around the third was the place where The Orion and The Daniel Jackson were hiding. The Odysseus and some of the other Asgard ships were behind the second moon whose gravity was masking their energy signatures.

Thor had suggested that some of his ships would engage the ORI vessels in order to provide the necessary window for SG-1 to land on the planet and capture the Priors.

The Prior shuttles descended to the planet. Thor waited for an hour before signalizing his strike force. Now they had to wait. The Odysseus was ready and took its position in order to fly quickly in orbit of the planet and blast the surface with the weapon, and transport down SG-1.

Soon they saw the Asgard task force engaging the enemy. Odysseus moved quickly in orbit of the planet and blasted the surface where the priors were. SG-1 transported immediately down. The Orion took position to guard Odysseus from enemy vessels.


The ORI fleet was surprised at first by the unexpected attack but they managed to come quickly back on their feet. And then the battle became fierce. One ORI vessel was already disabled but the power of the ORI was not to be underestimated so lightly. It was clear that not all Priors have gone to the surface, as the Asgards found out the painful way when one of their ships was struck down by a powerful blast. The blast penetrated the shield and made a hole in the hull of the ship. Soon three more blasts passed through the ship making it explode. The Asgards regrouped and attacked the ship with the priorbut the ship's shield withheld their assault.

On the planet's surface another battle had engaged. The Priors were disabled but their crusade escort was protecting them. SG-1 found it difficult to execute their plan to capture the priors alive. As the battle continued a part of the priors were killed but the ORI crusaders soon cornered SG-1. Hopefully, Colonel Shepard arrived in time with his team and pushed them back. The remaining of the Priors managed to make their back to the shuttles and escaped.
Seeing that his task force might lose its ground Thor lead the remaining of the Asgards to help them. He fired the anti-prior weapon incapacitating the Prior and the Asgards with their combined force managed to destroy his ship. The other ORI ships were putting a hell of a fight and managed to destroy two more Asgards battle cruisers. But as soon as the Orion and the Odysseus joined the battle it was getting clear that the ORI would not hold much long. Victory was near but fate had prepared an unpleasant twist.

Two hyperspace windows appeared and more ORI ships arrived and engaged into battle, and although the Asgards and the Earth have managed to destroy another three ships soon the delicate balance turned against them. Four Asgard ships and one mother ship were destroyed. The Orion and the Daniel Jackson have taken heavy damage while protecting Odysseus who had to recover SG-1 from the planet surface.

Thor understood that they have lost this battle and the best thing to do was to retreat before the Priors regain their abilities. He signaled his ships, the Orion and the Odysseus and they soon jumped into hyperspace.


"We failed." – Mitchell shot angrily. "They were aware of our presence. The damn gun did not work as it should have."

"The weapon worked perfectly. But they were indeed anticipating us." – Carter agreed.

"We lost seven Asgard battle cruisers and one mother ship." – Mitchell poised back.

"Yes but they lost fourteen ships plus half the priors." – Shepard countered. "If those ORI vessels have not appeared out of nowhere we would have won the battle."

"If! But they did. Not to mention that our ships are heavily damaged and we barely escaped." – Mitchell emphasized.

"At least we bought some time. The ORI would probably go much slower after this defeat." – McKay said.

"Defeat?" – Mitchell looked at him with disbelief. "I think they have beaten us."

"Yes but we inflicted them a wound as well." – Shepard agreed with McKay.

"Mitchell is right. The ORI defeated us." – Thor intervened. "The Asgards will provide you with more ships. We underestimated them but we will not repeat this mistake again. We will not allow the ORI to take over Earth. We will fight them"

"That's the spirit." – Carter said. "Thank you, Thor."


A/N

If you have a favorite episode in SG-1 season 9 please let me know and in Atlantis, I just curious.

And…Don't forget to review. Thank you.