Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy.
Floating above the darkened oceans, Atlantis glowed like a beacon against the night, towers reaching into the skies like majestic monoliths. In the city itself however, a few hundred metres north east from the main spire, a small bedroom's lights were still on when the occupants of its surrounding rooms had already called it a day.
In this room, a man in his mid 30's, with short brown hair and a pair of rounded glasses adorning his face, was pacing back and forth, going over yet another report on the growing 'confederation' that was slowly absorbing all worlds that were willing to fight against the wraith. No one had any idea how the Genii got their hands on a fleet of puddle jumpers, many of Atlantis's crew speculated they maybe found an ancient warship, maybe an uncharted outpost that survived the war. In any case, with these new additions, worlds rallied to their cause, Othella managed to repel the wraith attack on their world, and were the first to join the Genii, offering their expertise in advanced technology, and limited space fleet in preparations of a grand alliance.
"Too bad they're desperate enough to kidnap our people." The man mumbled, sub-consciously rubbing his face in the process. It hadn't been a good few years in Pegasus. While attacks on by the wraith have definitely slowed down, and thankfully, even countered by the Confederation, or given the chance, the Daedalus when it was here, it didn't take long for the Atlantis Expedition to catch on to the dozens of disappearances of SG teams. It came to a head when Major Lorne's team was captured, and any witnesses eliminated.
While the investigation of this mass disappearance continued, it all lead to the Genii, and their involvement. With the galactic wide news of a Genii puddle jumper fleet, and the knowledge of their lack of the ancient gene, it could only be one thing. They were forcing SG personal as canon fodder against the wraith. This lead to a massive incursion into Genii Prime, the Daedalus hovering like a great bird of prey over the planet, rapid beaming the captured Atlantis personal, while using unprecedented levels of restraint, left the Genii too themselves.
This merely furthered the 'Confederations' hostilities toward Atlantis, dozens of worlds that were former trading partners had suddenly forced an embargo against the great ancient city, getting others to do the same. Within months, Atlantis found itself in a completely hostile galaxy, a two front battle against forces that had numbers beyond belief. Their were hundreds of Hive ships in the galaxy despite earlier speculation, not to mention the even more numerous cruisers, and even more numerous darts that's constantly jumped in and out of the gate network. Then there was the confederation, nearly a hundred worlds under the Genii-Othellan banner, slowly building up primitive fleets, gathering scraps of wraith and ancient technology where ever they can find it. And in the middle of all this, was Atlantis, city of the Ancients, greatest technological find in all the known galaxies, was under control by a few thousand terran, and now Asgard engineers and scientists, mixed together with a hundred or so marines and air force personal, and on occasion, an advanced earth Battlecruiser, mixed with Asgard weapons and shields to give it that much more of a punch.
But all in all, numbers like that couldn't be ignored, at least not until earth can spare the resources to partake a major offensive and liberation across Pegasus, and until then, they had to hope that these two sides will be battling against each other, and not Atlantis.
Those thoughts left him, unaware that his door was open, the expedition leader walked in quietly, "Doctor Jackson?" she almost whispered, interrupting him from his mumbling of external threats and the like.
Shifting his eyes from the report, he smiled briefly "Elizabeth." Before going to back to his report, half interested.
"I see your well on your way with packing." She said sarcastically at the pile of half backed duffer bags lining near the door.
Jackson shrugged briefly, closing the booklet and chucking it to its already overcrowded desk. "Well I've still got another 12 hours till the gate to earth, might as well finish going over these details that got the pentagon all worked up about." He said a bit distracted, eying back and forth from report to report.
The doctor eyed him cautiously, a bit amused at his constant attempts at work "Ah" walking towards him, she snatched the bundle of pages from him, her small smirk was quickly wiped off as soon as she read the title. "The confederation I see." She said dryly, sighing as she practically threw the report across the room in frustration. Jackson couldn't exactly blame her. "Looks like I'm not the only one that feels this way." He commented to his superior, now sitting down on his lounge, he handed her another report.
Over her initial outburst, she accepted the bundle of papers, at quick glance it was a request for additional military forces, in particular, another starship "you think we'll be given additional reinforcements?"
Daniel shrugged, "Well with things at home cooling down, chances are another ship or two might come our way."
And those words brightened Weirs days that much more, "That's good to hear, perhaps now we can explore the outer rim." Daniel had to agree, not only that, it would strengthen Atlantis's military influence in Pegasus, as well as make trade easier between earth and the city.
Rising from the lounge, she picked up one of the bags "In any case, you should stop going over reports that are directed to me, and start " shoving the heavy storage bag at him "packing." finishing with a curt smile "we both know full well you need this vacation."
Area 51, Outside Fleet Docks
Just outside the growing dry-dock, a nervous look creped its way across Samantha Carters face, both British and American delegates weren't much an improvement either.
"This is completely unacceptable!" The French representative, Jean LaPierre practically screamed at the obviously unprepared Colonel Carter, the Russian and Chinese delegates not hiding their agreement either.
Brigadier Chekhov nodded grimly," This goes against the IOA Treaty." not noticing the British delegate's eyes rolling.
Former NID agent, now US representative of the IOA, Richard Woolsey, scoffed at the statement, "Really general, then I could easily ask about these new laser weapons your government has developed and shared with the Chinese."
The general smirked, "It was merely further research into current electron laser technology, while Goa'uld technology has increased their effectiveness somewhat, they are not technology gathered from off-world, and as such are not included in the treaty."
The British ambassador was not impressed "The idea of this treaty is that all technology that could be used to united earths defences is put in IOA hands." Russell Chapman, shook his head, "Isn't it obvious if your not willing to share, then by every right the US does not have too either?"
Shen Xiaoyi, the Chinese ambassador spoke for the first time, "Technically yes", turning to narrow her eyes Woolsey, obviously the American representative was not in her good books, "but as the technology originated off-world, it is automatically brought under IOA jurisdiction."
"Wrong ambassador." A quite, but powerful voice said from the opposite end of the room, everyone turned to face its direction, seeing a none too happy president, escorted with an equally annoyed major general.
Xiaoyi glared slightly despite herself "With all due respect mister president, this Ion Cannon is making my government more nervous then when you released that Mark Nine of yours."
"It will only be used as a planetary defense weapon, and possibly on larger starships like the Daedalus Class." Carter injected
"You mean the ship that you refuse to give to my government?" Chekov asked
Haye's tried to be diplomatic about, but couldn't help but have a snide edge to his tone "Yes general, despite your constant requests for the ship, we've turned you down for the reason that you're spreading off-world technology to the highest bidder."
The Russian scoffed, ignoring the surprised glances from the French and Chinese ambassadors. "Preposterous."
"Not according to our diplomats in the Kremlin, hell you've given a squadron of your sabers to the Iran's!"
"I assure you Mister President, that this is an obvious twist of the truth by your spies." Smiling quite smartly at the presidents scowl, "Besides, even if we were to offer our technology, it would be for the greater advancement of mankind, I believe you're aware of this also, the name Carrington Institute would ring any bells?" That's when bloody drained from the president's face. Doctor Daniel Carrington, head off the research and development facility simply called the 'Institute' for the most part, was recently contacted by the government, and brought into the highly secretive truth of the interstellar community. He was hired to slowly filter advanced technology into the public domain, in preparation for disclosure, a job that he and his organization was doing quite well, already on the market was holographic technology, going along with Colonel Carters demonstration 3 years ago.
O'Neill rolled his eyes "Oh please, we know you've given it to religious zealots that given the chance would send those things over the Israeli border within minutes, they'll eat them apart."
"Just like how you're offering the F-302 schematics to the Canadian and Australian governments?" Xiaoyi commented seemingly off-handed
"Both who have been debriefed and brought into the IOA as junior members and as such have every right to the technology we've given to you also." Chapman said for the President
"Merely because they're your allies?" LaPierre injected
"Because they have both been…." The president was cut off by a muffled roar from the docks. The group turned to look at what just happened.
In the far distance of the chamber, near the original docks, the formerly powered down, and locked Daedalus class, was rising from its open bay, the anti-grav engines resonated a load humming sound as it climbed vertically from the docks, and into the open skies.
Meanwhile, 4 Kilometres outside Area 51
Across the third and final hill of his patrol, a seemingly inconspicuous 'cammo dude' known as Adrian Wright, lowered his rifle for a quick sight at the massive, yet mostly underground facility. Security had gotten even tighter then normal in recent years, the policy of 'shot on sight' was seriously in effect, and the over all boundary of Nellis was an additional 4 kilometres in every direction. Not only that, but EG&G, the company that provided security for area 51, had recently been hired for another facility in Arizona, one that had actually stayed top-secret, earning itself the unofficial title of Area 53. Whenever asked what the hell area 52 was, everyone just shrugged 'NORAD perhaps?'
But the security officer had little concern for the US's other projects, he took this position to finally get the information his employers wanted. So far, he had only been sent on patrols on the outer barriers, today was his first up close. It was nothing impressive, an airfield, no more
"Nice view ain't it?" A rough and somewhat veteran voice echoed his sarcasm. He turned to face his 'partner', an Oklahoman by the name of Geoff Gardner, 38 year old family man. In his recent time as a security guard, Gardner has took him under his wing, taught him why Area 51 suddenly had went all paranoid with security, more then usual that is.
'Spaceships' the older man told him a few weeks ago, 'Big ones at that, some bigger then those super aircraft carriers. While this could have been a joke played on the newbie, other guards told him the same thing. Still skeptical though, what he saw in the skies the next week changed his world completely. Rising above the hills, a trio of identical ships, definitely human design, floating through means unknown, blaring the names proudly Victory, Annihilator, Supremacy. Each ship giving off a flash of their twin engines before quickly fading into nothingness.
That amazing scene got him interested, as it would too any unsuspecting viewer, 'Started happening 6 or 7 years ago, first there was one of those things, now there's at least a dozen of them buzzing back and forth, as well as at 52.'Gardner explained, going over the minor details that he'd picked up over the years 'there's even the odd fighter launch, heard years back that one of the computers went berserk, and flew on path towards god knows where.' Adrian nodded, often seeing them fly by himself, in small squadrons on and off, even the odd cargo ship.
And now today, he saw exactly where these majestic machines arose from. The relatively quiet runway, held nothing really out of the norm from any airbase, albeit some obviously more advanced craft. F-117's were the main craft there, though a few obviously stood out. A strange helicopter like craft, missing the main rotor, but instead had two smaller fans sticking out on each side, as well as a slick black triangle like craft, about the size of a b-2.
"That thing there your looking at is the Aurora, not really used much these days, but back a decade or so it was the fastest thing in the sky." Geoff said, the advanced looking machine was brought out for what seemed to be a test flight, half a dozen engineers and two pilots examining the strange plane.
"What is now?" He asked
Geoff eyebrows rose slightly at the question, he looked back to the vast airfield, seemingly searching for something "There," pointing at a row of five strange aircraft, their wings swooped forward, and the craft itself was very compact compared to modern designs. "F-302 class, you've seen them, they launch at least once a week."
The guard was unimpressed "They don't go too fast from what I've seen."
Geoff snorted at the remark "Well going hyper-sonic in an area where conspiracy nuts are pitching tents, ain't exactly the smartest idea." The guard grinned at the thought, Geoff did the same but a growing rumble in the background caught their attention. "Hand on a tick.."
"What's going on?" The younger man asked
Geoff didn't know exactly for sure, the only thing that could be making such a noise would be…"Ah….." the realization only grew when we saw the metallic surface a mile away split apart ever so slowly "Your about to see one of the big birds fly, kid."
The doors were reaching a massive distance apart, it had to be at least several hundred metres, it was absolutely monstrous, not even those massive ships he saw weeks ago would need something that large to fit, but now he saw exactly what did. Slowly rising, he saw the peak of a ship, a massive flat panel covered with small weapons emplacement and communication relays. It continued to rise, revealing its entire form. The 400 metre monolith hovered gracefully above the now empty bay, it was monstrous, and the two words that could describe such a scene were thus "Holy shit."
Geoff grinned, "got that right" he pointed to the blazing white logo on the port side, BC-03 "That there is the Odyssey, been around for bout 3 years now, just a second and you'll see her disappear," as if on schedule, the massive vessel warped and blended into the skyline, leaving but an extremely bare outline that could only be seen as the ship moved off into the sky.
Adrian's eyes were still wide at the scene, barely registering Geoff's slap on his shoulders "come on kid, we've still got work to do." Before marching back down the hill and too the large four wheeled drive they were using on their patrol. Wright sighed, another days work, at least he got something interesting to show for it, sub-consciously holding the active camera phone in his left hand.
USAF Icarus
"FIRE!" Newkirk bellowed out the order is sequence with massive charge up taking place through the ship. Soon energy focused into 3 specific locations. The build up gathered into almost minuscule locations, converted almost instantly into an ionized charge of incredible power. The build up was enormous, almost unstable, but with a simple push of a button, it was released. All within a micron.
Out of 3 turrets, twin bolts of ionized particles erupted forward. Enemy's in its path wisely maneuvered away, leaving empty space for the 6 blue pulses to move swiftly towards their target. The efficient weapons allowed no ions to break the magnetic field holding them together, as such they looked like perfect blue diamonds slicing through the darkness of space.
By now the Ha'tak was beginning to respond, barely moving thanks to their false feeling of safety away from the battle. Shields up and weapons blazing uselessly at the distant US starship. Dozens upon dozens of enemy plasma bolts fired in return, but it was ultimately useless, the fire from the Icarus had hit. Twin bolts slammed into the Ha'taks shields, the magnetic fields collapsed on impact, allowing the highly powerful energy to wash over the shields, almost collapsing them with the first hit. But not even seconds later, 4 more bolts hit, and for the most case, ignored the faint layer of energy still surrounding the Ha'tak. The impact across the armour forced the ship to lose its position, being thrown slightly in the opposite direction, but the worst part was when it literally melted into the ship. Entire sections were blasted away, leaving a molten metal outlying where the blast hit, pouring the liquid into space like a bleeding wound.
The return fire was swiftly avoided, the Daedalus Class Battlecruiser turned on its axis, pouring power to its ion drives and easily dodged the swarm of plasma pulses .By now the Icarus's bridge crew were cheering, grins covered every crewman's face. This was there first cap-kill, and hell, the quickest any starship has even gotten one in their service, even the Daedalus spent a few weeks on her trial runs before jumping to Pegasus for the Battle of Atlantis. But now there was a fleet of gliders and al'kesh buzzing around in the hundreds, and personally, Newkirk didn't have the patience to take them out with Point Defense weapons. "Recall all fighters, Helm prepare for a hyper-jump to earth."
"Aye sir, plotting hyperspace jump."
Amiss the savage brawl that surrounded the starship, the Railguns renewed their furious strike, giving its still full compliment of fighters the cover they needed to dock. Several gliders that tried to follow the F-302's on their return run were quickly locked in the sights of the Icarus's forward heavy railgun, the newly developed anti capital ship weapon. The small group of enemy fighters was ripped apart by the explosive rounds that split and fragmented with force that was designed to cut through enemy capital ships shields and armour. While the level of firepower the Icarus was pouring out in every possible direction, it wasn't enough. One small group of 6 gliders charged in, careful to avoid the constant streams of munitions targeting their comrades in the distance. Railguns constantly locked and relocked on enemies, but in the midst of battle, they only just locked on when it was too late. 500 metres from the Battlecruiser, they fired uselessly at the suicidal fighters, only forcing the fighters to become a fireball on impact. The pilots sacrifice fulfilling the will of their god.
The bridge was in a small order of chaos, the hit too the shields rocked the entire starship, slowly forcing it too compensate with its internal dampeners and limited secondary thrusters. Colonel Newkirk slowly raised himself back into the command chair, now wearing far more bruises then he did before. "Damage report!"
Weps quickly ran over the ships systems, leaving him with clenched teeth as the ship took more and hits across the board "Port shield emitters are down to 42 and dropping, minor damage to the outer armour and 3 of our Railguns are knocked out"
"And this was supposed to be an easy scouting mission" Newkirk said to himself sarcastically. He opened his mouth to order the next plan of action, but yet another massive surge of energy ripped into the weakened shields, throwing the crew in their chairs yet again. "That's it then," Newkirks barely strained voice announced, quickly ordering "bring us about, how many mark nines do we have?"
