The Calm before the Swarm

With the ZPM powering the city systems that were dormant for thousands of years are coming online. Internal sensors are working at 100 and the internal schematics are online. The 3 teams of scientists and engineers are ready in the ring room. The excitement is a buzz with the thought of working on another Ancient outpost.

The Orion is on its final shakedown cruise. Major Rick Anderson was the latest 'gifted' Air Force officer that was sent to the Atlantis project. Because of the ATA gene he was given command of the Orion. The Air Force wanted someone higher than Major in command but Colonel Sheppard didn't want anyone out ranking him, it was bad enough that Colonel Caldwell was around all the time. Anderson is quite the officer; he scored tops in his class from the academy and has seen hundreds of combat hours between terrestrial skirmishes and through the Star Gate. The Orion has been restored to 98 efficiency and most of her systems are now online. Anderson looked from his command chair and smiled to himself, never in his life had he imagined that he would be in another galaxy let alone be in command of an alien battleship. His crew was hand picked by Brigadier General Jack O'Neill so without a doubt in his mind it was the best crew in any galaxy.

"Lt. Cross, status report." Anderson's tone was one of authority, when he spoke everyone listened.

"Sir, hyper drive is at 92, weapons and shields are online. The 302's have been stationed and all of the integrated systems are working within normal parameters"

"Excellent, great job everybody." Anderson looks down and taps the comm. on his chair. "Bridge to Engineering"

"Engineering, Lt. Magnum here sir."

"Ah chief, just the person I wanted to talk to, I hear the hyper drive is at 92. Good job just I want 100, we are going to begins tests again in 10 minutes."

"Aye sir, we'll be ready."

"Good, Anderson out."

The conn officer reacts to her screens.

"Sir, we are receiving a hail from Atlantis."

"Put it on screen Petty Officer."

The screen comes to life with the image of Colonel Sheppard.

"Colonel, good to see you sir, I take it there was good luck at the other Outpost?"

"Yes Major but that is not why I am calling."

"Oh, what can we do for you sir?"

"We received a message from Major Lorne on P2C-317. The sensors on the jumper are picking up one hive and two cruisers en-route to the planet. The Daedelus has been made aware and they are en-route as well."

"That's the planet where we found the sister to Atlantis right?"

"Yes and since we removed their corrupt protectorate and the drones they are defenseless."

"Understood Colonel, we will head there now."

"Good Major, hopefully we will be joining you shortly. Sheppard out."

"Helm, set a course for P2C-317, maximum speed." He taps the comm. again. "Engineering, we're heading into a hostile situation be ready for battle."

"Magnum here sir, we will be ready."

The helmsman enters the proper coordinates and signals the deck

"Course plotted and laid in sir."

"Engage!"

The Hyper drive engines hum to life and every member of the crew starts prepping the ship for its first battle in 10,000 years. The Orion speeds forward into a newly formed hyper drive window and disappears.

Back in Atlantis the engineering and science teams gather the required equipment and make themselves ready for transport. Sheppard enters the room and begins briefing everyone.

"OK people listen up. We have found several big toys over at the other outpost. For one we found another Alteran warship and we still haven't finished exploring the facility. Many of you know and some of you don't know but this ship needs to be prepped for battle immediately. Some of our allies are being threatened by the wraith. The Daedelus and the Orion are en-route to the planet now but they need our help. There are also variants of the puddle jumpers there that look more like fighters. We will be heading over there in teams of seven. Let's get going."

A round of yes sir's can be heard all around the room.

After about fifteen minutes go by the final team arrives at the outpost. McKay directs the teams to various areas and they begin their respective jobs. Sheppard makes his way to the control room and finds McKay going over the schematics for the facility.

"Find anything good while I was gone Rodney?"

McKay looks up at him and takes the last bite of his Cookies and cream power bar and smiles.

"You wouldn't believe what I have found. This place is the proverbial gold strike. This facility is called Ternok, it was the hub for all of the Alteran military operations. We have a Drone manufacturing facility, the schematics for ALL Alteran ships and stations, and the research facility is AMAZING! Not to mention the locations of all Alteran ships and station in this and the Milky Way galaxy."

"Wait did you just say milky way galaxy?"

"Oh, yes I did and it gets better, we have the capability to recharge and manufacture Zero Point Modules."

"Now this place is the Alteran version of 'Toys R US'!"

The Orion sped through hyperspace. All of the crew still prepping the ship for battle. Everyone is on edge since this is the first battle for the Orion in 10,000 years.

"Lt. Deville what is our ETA?" Anderson sat at his station looking over the latest status reports.

"Sir, we will arrive in approximately 1 hour 25 minutes." Deville is a very young Marine Corps officer; she has been part of the Star Gate program for the last 3 years and just got transferred to Atlantis.

"Understood, any word from Atlantis or the Daedelus?"

"No Sir."

"Very well."

The villagers of P2C-317 are frightened; this is the first wraith attack without the protectorate. Major Lorne is escorting all of the remaining villagers to the city. It won't be completely safe but it is better than being in the open.

"Major, most of the villagers are under cover, the last are on their way." Cadman spoke nervously.

"Good then hopefully we will be ok until the Calvary gets here."