Chapter 1: Flight of the Daedalus

September 14 2004.

Space; it is both majestic and incomprehensively vast, with stars that light the sky like fireflies trapped in a black abyss. Space holds many wonders but also many dangers yet despite this for many years the people of the Tau'ri have looked to those same stars and dreamt or worlds beyond their little blue ball in their small corner of the Galaxy. Aboard the United States Air force Battlecruiser "Daedalus" orbiting that said planet Dr Lindsey Novak stood transfixed at the sight of Earth before her. Novak a former NASA engineer stood at 5ft 4in tall with blonde hair brown eyes and a nervous personality.
She had been recruited by the SGC the year before and had quickly proven herself to be a great asset to the program despite her nervous nature. Her work in designing interfaces between Earths built systems and Asgard technology had been a major breakthrough for Earth, and the fulfillment of a dream of hers; to fly among the stars. Novak had been so transfixed by the view before her she never heard the person who approached from behind her.

"Can I help you?" A distinctly strong yet feminine voice said behind her. Novak startled from her revere, turned coming face to face with the ships primary helmsman and first officer Major Karen Foster.
Foster a 14yr veteran of the Air force had started her career flying the F-15 Eagle. 3yrs ago she had been handpicked by Space Command to be one of the lead helmsmen for the then "Prometheus project". After a 1 1/2 aboard Prometheus (in which it saw more time in dry-dock than space) Foster was reassigned to Stargate command for additional training just missing the battle with Anubis's fleet. Now several months later she was the primary helmsman aboard the "Daedalus" Earth's second battlecruiser, it was something she was immensely proud of.

"Oh! Ahhh… hello…I'm Doctor Lindsey Novak I'm hear to replace Chief Hernandez for the continuation of Daedalus's Shake down cruise." Novak stuttered slightly caught off guard as she extended her hand to Foster who promptly returned her handshake.

"I'm aware of who you are doctor but I was wondering what you are doing on the bridge." Foster countered getting straight to the point she like many in the Stargate program tended to go straight for the jugular.

"I'm Looking for Colonel Caldwell, I was told to check in with him once I settled in. I thought this would be the most likely place to find him." Novakoffered meekly.

"Colonel Caldwell is currently reviewing the AAR (After Action Report) pertaining to our mock battle against Prometheus. He should return momentarily." Foster informed her.

"So…how'd it go?" Novak asked innocently trying to make conversation. The sharp pointed look she received from Foster told her the subject was still a sore point with her. Novak held her hands up in mock surrender

"Ok...touchy subject."

In Truth the Daedalus's performance had been less than stellar when facing off against the more experienced crew of Prometheus. Colonel Ronson, who'd been pulled from the Vandenberg training facility specifically for this test, had been able to fight the Daedalus to a standstill despite all of Daedalus's technological advantages over the Prometheus. That coupled with an accident in engineering at the conclusion of the exercise that injured Chief Engineer Jose Hernandez was the reason Daedalus was back in Earth orbit, and the reason Novak had been reassigned to the Daedalus.

"Well since he's not here at the moment could you tell him I stopped by to check in?" Novak asked hopefully. Before Foster could respond a powerful male voice answered from behind Novak.

"That won't be necessary doctor." The voice of Col. Steven Caldwell called out as he approached the two. Novak turned to find herself face to face with the Ships commander.

"Welcome aboard the Daedalus doctor I'm Col. Caldwell. You come highly recommended by General Hammond." Caldwell said extending his hand. At 6ft 1in tall balding, Col. Caldwell carried a Presence about him that screamed Command.
Caldwell a 22yr Air force veteran had started his career in the Air Force flying various types of fighter bombers. When the Gulf War kicked off then Capt Caldwell had been assigned to a squadron of F-117 dropping ordinance deep into the Heart of Baghdad. 2yrs later he transferred to the new B-2 spirit bombers based out of Whiteman Air Force base.
Then Major Caldwell was one of the first pilots to fly the B-2 during the Bosnian and later Kosovo campaigns. After the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 Col. Caldwell led the squadron during combat operations in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban.
Shortly after combat operations had concluded he had been recruited by Space Command and later selected to command the Daedalus.

Novak took the Colonels hand "A pleasure to meet you sir, thank you." she said slightly intimidated by his presence.

"Doctor I've assumed you've read up on the accident in Engineering following our mock battle against Prometheus?" Caldwell asked getting down to business.

"I have Colonel and I believe it's a flaw in the ships secondary power distribution system, specifically the control crystals. Chief Hernandez bypassed the safeties causing EM feedback in the reactor control crystals. It's the same little Trick LtCol. Carter used on Prometheus last year to…"

"Doctor." Col. Caldwell said cutting her off before his annoyance got the better of him. "Bottom line, how long is it going to take to fix my ship?" he asked to keep her focused on the matter at hand.

"Well Colonel I'd have to do a diagnostic of the entire power distribution system, check the integrity of each crystal, possibly replace several naquada relays and realign…." Novak trailed off after noticing the annoyed look on the Colonels face. "Ahhhh 2 days, maybe 1 depending on how bad the damage is." She stammered.
Col. Caldwell paused to take in what Doctor Novak had told him. 2 days to fix the power distribution system then Daedalus would be back in fighting form.

"Very well doctor, get it done and report back when that's accomplished." Caldwell ordered.

"Yes sir." Novak replied in a hurry to get to Engineering, she had almost made her escape before Major Foster called after her. "Doctor Novak." Major Foster called out as she reached the doctor. Both women exited the bridge heading down the main corridor from the bridge.

"Yes Major Foster?" Novak asked as Major Foster came up along side her.

"You do know we have an Asgard Engineer aboard the Daedalus right?" Foster asked. "He's here to assist us in operating the Asgard technology integrated in Daedalus's design." Foster informed her.

"Yes I was briefed about it just before taking on this assignment." Novak answered before adding "I've worked with several Asgard in the past when designing the interfaces for their systems." Novak said then as if a thought occurred to her "I believe his name is Hermiod?"

"I see." Foster said. "But have you met THIS particular Asgard?" Foster asked emphasizing Hermiod.

"No I Haven't." Novak answered. "What's so special about this particular Asgard?" Novak asked catching the emphasis.

"Just that he's very opinionated and not afraid to voice those opinions." Foster said.
Both Women reached a corridor that branched off into different directions and stopped turning to face each other.

"Is that a problem?" Novak asked slightly confused. "I thought the Asgard liked us?"

"Most of them do." Foster responded. 'But not all of them."
At Novak's confused expression Foster continued.

"You see Hermiod was an Engineer of high esteem among the Asgard." Foster began. "His primary mission was to design new weapons and technology to defeat the Replicators.
When SG-1 intervened on behalf of Thor, Hermiod was one of the more vocal critics of their involvement. After SG-1 defeated the Replicators at Dakara he lost considerable support among many in the high council. Then as if to add insult to injury he was reassigned personally by Supreme Commander Thor to help in the Construction and Operation of Daedalus." Foster finished.

"I'm going to go out on a limb and guess he's not too pleased about that?' Novak asked with dawning realization. The knowing smile on Foster's face told her she hit the nail on the head.

"Don't worry Doctor I'm sure he'll respond more favorable to you than he did to any of us."Foster said.

"I feel comforted already." Novak responded dryly.

"I'm sure you'll be fine Doctor." Foster responded otherwise the little guy is going to eat you for lunch Foster thought to herself.

"Lindsey." Novak said after a brief pause.

"I'm sorry?" Foster said slightly confused.

"My first name is Lindsey." Novak said. "What's yours?"

"Karen." Foster replied warming up to the women by a few degrees "Look I apologize if I seemed rude on the Bridge earlier. We're a tight nit group and the loss of Chief Hernandez has hit the crew pretty hard, it's going to take some getting used to.' Foster admitted.

"I understand." Novak said. And in truth she did, this crew had trained together for the better part of a year, in that time the crew had become very close almost like family. She could understand them being somewhat resentful of an outsider coming in and taking over for one of their own. "I'll do my best." Was all she could think say.

"I'm sure you will Lindsey." Foster said genuinely. A beeping coming from her right wrist caught her attention. She brought her arm up to look at her watch before returning her attention back to Novak. "Look I'm off duty now so I'm about to hit the Rack I've got the nightshift tonight. I'll see you around Doctor." Foster said by way of departing.

"Have a good night Karen." Novak responded.

The two women separated at the intersection each heading for their respective destinations. For Lindsey Novak it was engineering. Four minutes later and five decks down through a virtual maze of corridors Novak arrived at her destination. As she entered engineering she spotted Hermiod immediatelywho wasworking on his console. If he wasaware of her presence he made no acknowledgement of it.

"Uhh hello I'm Doctor Lindsey Novak I'm hear to replace Chief Hernandez." Novak said with a little too much cheerfulness in her voice. Hermiod stopped whatever action he was doing bringing his full attention to Novak. He seemed to scrutinize her for a moment before narrowing his eyes and muttering something under his breath in his native Asgard before returning his attention back to his console. The fake smile Novak wore on her face melted into a grimace after being completely dismissed out of hand like that, just as she remember something Foster told her a few minutes earlier oh yeah he's really starting to warm up to me.

48 hours later

"Try it now!" Novak said. She had just finished realigning the reactor control crystals and this was the first full power test to see if the flaws had been "Ironed Out" It had been a frustrating 48hours made even more so by the condescending attitude of Hermiod as he continued to belittle her work.

"It is not working. Your calculations are out of sync by .2 degrees." Hermiod said in condescending tone of voice. As he was talking he made the necessary modifications to the system which brought them back into sync negating 3hours of work done by Novak.

Novak bit her lip to fight back and angry reply. She took a deep breath to calm herself before she spoke slow and deliberately "If you could have done that 3hours ago why didn't you?"

"It is not my responsibility." Hermiod replied evenly "I am merely here to observe that Asgard technology is not abused. Occasionally I can and will advise you, but as you humans say 'This is your show'.

Novak had to bit back an angry retort"you know we also have another saying, there is no I in team." she said trying to reason with him.

"I have just told you I am not a member of "your" team." Hermiod responded as if talking to a child. "I am merely here to Advi…

"Advise! Yes I know." Novak said cutting him off. 'But you have to understand that anything that affects this ship and crew will affect you too." Novak said trying to press the point "Whether you like it or not."

Before Hermiod could respond the Voice of Col. Caldwell came over the loudspeakers
"Engineering, Bridge."

Tapping her earpiece Novak spoke into her mike "engineering, go ahead."

"Doctor what's your status?" Caldwell demanded getting to the point.

"Colonel Repairs are complete and we are ready to proceed." Novak responded tossing Hermiod an annoyed look which he promptly ignored.

BRIDGE

"Understood Doctor Good Work, Bridge out." Col. Caldwell said rising from his command chair. The atmosphere on the bridge was one of anticipation as the various crewmen carried out their tasks with a sense of urgency, it was game time now. Walking towards the forward view port on the bridge Caldwell took a moment to take in the view of Earth one last time before turning back to face his crew.

"Major Foster!" Caldwell snapped.

"Sir?" she replied from her station.

"Prepare to break orbit, set course for the Asteroid belt full military thrust." Caldwell ordered before retaking his seat.

"Setting course 030 mark 113, engaging sub light drives to full sir."

"Proceed." He ordered.

Daedalus's sub light Ion based drives ignited propelling the ship forward allowing the Daedalus to break orbit, Her Inertial compensator systems meant her crew only felt the slightest hint of her rapid acceleration. That same inertial dampening technology also allowed her to maintain her orientation in space as well as vector her inertia. This meant the ship could turn on a dime with out the use of heavy RCS thrusters. It also meant Daedalus could maintain her velocity no matter which direction she turned without losing her momentum. It was the same system pioneered on the F-302s and it made all the difference when maneuvering in space. 45 minutes later Daedalus arrived at her intended destination; the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

"We have arrived at the designated coordinates sir." Foster Reported.

"Very well, Weps begin a scan of the asteroid field; let's do this by the numbers." Caldwell stated.

Weps (aka) Lt Shane Miguel of the United States Navy had been a last minute addition to the Daedalus. The Navy having almost no role in the Stargate Program (unless it meant recovering alien ships from the Ocean floor), had been waging a battle at the highest levels beaurocracy know as the Pentagon to gain control of the growing space fleet. The Navy argument had stated that while the Air Force should lead the way in research and development of new technologies (such as the 302 and 303s).

It was the Navy that had the resources, manpower and expertise to draw upon to effectively make the prospect of a space fleet a reality. While the Air Force did have good people it didn't have them in sufficiently large numbers to make a space fleet under their control a viable option. All the navy had to do was retool their training programs, and facilities for spaceflight operations instead of the Blue water operations it was tailored to suit, a task they conceded would take years unless they had the help from the Air Force.
The Navy was also looking into the prospect of retooling its current ship yards and infrastructure to enhance shipbuilding production in a "Post Disclosure" world; so far the Joint Chiefs were currently reviewing the proposal.
An officer exchange program had already been agreed upon by both services (mostly to help the Air Force which had been hemorrhaging for military trained personnel). Currently the first batch of naval officers and enlisted crew were currently serving aboard both Prometheus and Daedalus alongside their Air Force counterparts. The newer ships still under construction; Odyssey, Nemesis, Theseus, Achillies and Argo would boast significantly more naval personnel than the aif force, a trend that was liable to continue as the Navy's involvment increased.
One of them being Lt. Shane Miguel.

Miguel a 6 yr veteran of surface warships in the Navy was used to working on the AEGIS systems mounted on Ali burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga cruisers, having "Grownup" aboard just such a cruiser the USS Shiloh (CG-67).
During operation Enduring Freedom he had been the Weapons officer who'd launched Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan. That had pretty much been the extent of his "combat experience" which was the primary reason Col. Caldwell paid particular attention to his performance, to bring him up to par with the more experienced personnel.
The systems of the Daedalus though insanely more advanced and powerful than what he'd been used to, were familiar to him. It didn't take him long to adapt and utilize the systems to their maximum potential, right now he focused all his concentration on his display as the laser and microwave scanners of his Radar and Lidar probed the asteroid field.

The scanners themselves were next genration Radar and Lidar technologies boosting all of the latest inovations learned from Goa'uld scanners from a Al'Kesh SG-1 had recovered a year ago. The study of the sensor systems had advanced Radar/Lidar Technology immensely. However should he havefelt the need for more detailed scans he could always use the Asgard sensor pallets integrated into the ship sensor suit. Currently he decided to stick to the more familiar human built systems.

"Colonel I'm reading multiple contacts; Tally13 asteroid fragments 7,000km off our bow, starboard side 10 degree "up" angle sir." Miguel reported.

"Do any of these fragments correspond to the specifications LtCol. Carter provided?" Col. Caldwell asked.

"Yes sir, 2 of them I have both targets designated sierras 1 and 2 sir." Lt. Miguel reported.

"Very well, initiate a full spectrum scam of target sierra 1 Thermo graphics, Microwave/lidar and even the Asgard sensors; let's put them through the paces." Col. Caldwell responded.

"Yes sir." Lt. Miguel responded, with just a hint of excitement. After several seconds information began pouring across his displays. "The asteroid is a mix of mostly high levels of nickel and Iron, with scattered readings of copper. More than 40 of its surface is covered in ice sir."

"The perfect target to test out the Rail guns wouldn't you say weps?" the Colonel asked.

"Picture perfect sir." LtCmdr. Miguel replied.

"Alright then, Arm all Rail Guns prepare to fire."

"Yes sir." Lt. Miguel said.

"Hold Colonel." The voice of Hermiod came over the ships loudspeaker.

"What is it Hermiod?" the Colonel asked. While Hermiod may be an arrogant pain in the ass he typically didn't interrupt training unless he had a good reason.

"I am picking up an anomalous reading emanating from with in the asteroid field." Hermiod reported.

"What kind of anomaly?" Col. Caldwell asked pressing for details.

"I am unable to determine at this time, the sensor returns are very weak due to the amount of debris within the asteroid field, we will have to move further within the field for more detailed information." Hermiod reported over the ships loudspeaker.

Caldwell considered his options for a moment before turning his attention to his weapons officer. Lt. Miguel was frantically working his controls trying to bring up any information on the anomaly Hermiod had reported, after about 30 seconds he brought his attention to Col. Caldwell and shook his head.

"Sir I've got nothing on my scope." Lt. Miguel reported frustrated.

"You will not find the information you are looking for with your primitive microwave and laser based sensor systems." Hermiod berrated." I am sending you the information I have from the better equipped Asgard based scanners."

"Receiving." Lt. Miguel stated as the information scrolled across his display. "I've got it, it's very faint though, and it's only present when we radiate the active scanners. What were getting back is…well the best way I can describe it is a sort of echo sir." Lt. Miguel reported trying to make sense of the information scrolling across his display console.

"A crude but apt comparison." Hermiod added over the net.

Colonel Caldwell remained silent for a moment as if considering his options before returning his attention back to Lt. Miguel.

"Lieutenant have our targeting scanners been recalibrated?"

"It was the first thing done after the Mock battle against Prometheus sir." Lt. Miguel answered.

"Hermiod I need you to transfer control of the targeting scanners to weps." Col. Caldwell ordered.

"Transferring full control Colonel." Hermiod reported over the loudspeaker.

"Foster plot the quickest route to the anomaly." Caldwell ordered

"Aye Colonel, be advised our ability to maneuver will be seriously hampered by debris within the asteroid field the further in we go.

"Acknowledged." was his only reply. Then bringing his attention to Lt. Miguel.

"Weps set shields to maximum, arm all Rail Guns, load VLS tubes 1-6 with mark 8 tacticals, tubes 9-18 with standard anti-ship ordinance."

Aye, Sir!" Lt. Miguel responded.

"Sir I have the coordinates locked in." Major Foster announced.

"Precede best possible speed." Caldwell ordered.

"Yes sir." Foster replied.

Daedalus's engines once again flared to life as the ship began to move deeper into the asteroid field. Several times Major Foster had to adjust her course from colliding with a nearby asteroid; the damn things were constantly in motion. After 10 nerves racking minutes Daedalus had managed to close the range with the Anomalous reading.

"Weps have you got anything?" Colonel Caldwell asked

"Yes sir it should be just on the other side of this asteroid as we pass it." Lt. Miguel said. "Contact is definitely firming up."

The Daedalus rounded the large asteroid to starboard only to come within a huge area of open space with no form of debris to cloud the Daedalus's flight path. Surprising as that was it wasn't as surprising as what lay before them.

"Sweet Jesus!" Lt. Miguel gasped when he saw the monstrosity come into view.

"My God!" Major Foster whispered to herself.

Colonel Caldwell rose from his chair and walked forward until he was facing the forward viewer, to say he was stunned at the majestic sight would be an understatement. He had expected a surprise Goa'uld attack, or one of a hundred different scenarios playing out, but not this. The Object for lack of a better word was oval shaped with a hollow center; similar in appearance to a stargate but not quit. It floated freely in space and had a smooth texture to it that appeared at first glance to be silver in color. Upon further inspection Col. Caldwell noted as his eyes moved to the center of the object that it bore a metallic grey color. The object was adorned in strange writings that the Colonel couldn't make out but seemed familiar.

Turing to his Weapons officer he spoke "Weps what have you got on scans?"

After taking a few seconds to review the data on his display Lt. Miguel turned his attention back to his Co. "Sir our Radar and Lidar scanners still don't read anything. I'm only getting returns from the Asgard based scanners."

"Spit it out weps." The Colonel ordered.

"The Object is about 3 miles high and 4 miles wide. It is comprised mostly of Naquada and some Trinium. There's also some other element I can't determine, sensors don't recognize it at all but it's very similar to Naquada." Lt. Miguel reported.

"Naquadria?" The Colonel asked bringing his full attention to bear on the object floating before the Daedalus.

"No sir." Lt. Miguel replied "What ever it is, it's completely stable. I've never seen anything like." Lt. Miguel announced in wonder.

"I bet I know someone who has." Colonel Caldwell said to no one in particular as he activated his comm. Link to engineering.

"Hermiod, this is the Bridge are you receiving this?"

ENGINEERING

In engineering a picture of the object floated on the master display screen as both Hermiod and Novak studied it in wonder.

"Indeed I am Colonel." Hermiod responded.

"Have you seen anything like this before?" Caldwell asked over the loudspeaker.

"I have not Colonel." Hermiod answered "However I believe the device is Ancient in Origin." Hermiod responded, answering the unasked question. "We will have to get closer to the device if I am to get more detailed readings to determine its function."

"Is there any threat to the ship?" Colonel Caldwell asked with noticeable concern in his voice.

"None that I can determine Colonel, the device is completely inert; there is no cause for concern." Hermiod responded.

"Very well, conduct you scans and report once you have something, Bridge out." Caldwell said cutting the link.

"So do you need any help?" Novak asked enthusiastically.

"I am more than capable of handling a few simple scans." Hermiod responded.

"A simple no would have sufficed." Novak shot back.

Several minutes had elapsed as Daedalus cautiously approached the object, Her Asgard sensors probing the device intimately; however what no one had anticipated was that the device was sensitive to certain subspace frequencies, certain frequencies that the Daedalus was currently probing the object with fromher AsgardScanners.

BRIDGE

"WOW!" Lt. Miguel gasped as he looked at his display.

"What is it?" Col. Caldwell asked catching the surprise in his voice.

"Sir the damn thing just lit up like a Christmas tree! Thermo graphics reading a massive energy buildup within the device!" Lt. Miguel announced.

"Foster get us out of hear Max thrust!" Colonel Caldwell ordered

"Max Thrust yes sir!" she responded while frantically working her controls, but the ship remained stationary.

"Foster why aren't we moving?" Colonel Caldwell asked with growing alarm.

"I'm not sure Sir. I engaged the sub light drives but nothing happened, I'm reading full power to the drives sir!" Foster reported

"Hermiod what the hell is going on?" Col. Caldwell demanded.

"The device has encased the ship in some sort of focused gravitational beam. We are unable to maneuver as long as the device contains us." Hermiod reported.

"Hermiod I don't care what you and Novak have to do but I want my ship free and clear." Col. Caldwell demanded.

"Sir Energy readings are off the chart, Reading some sort of highly focused EM emissions sweeping the ship!" Lt. Miguel reported.

"Jam it!" Col. Caldwell ordered.

"It's extremely powerful sir, it's cutting through our ECM field as if it wasn't there." Lt. Miguel reported.

"Standby hyper drive, get us back to Earth Foster." Col. Caldwell ordered. He took a glance out the window to notice 4 points on the object glowing a bright white while the inner edges of the device glowed a softer yellow color, and with each passing moment they continued to get brighter.

"Colonel this is Novak in engineering the gravitational and magnetic field is interfering with our ability to create a hyperspace window. In addition if we don't power down the sub light drives soon they'll overload!" Novak exclaimed over the net.

"Understood doctor. Hermiod I need options now." Caldwell said.

"I have none to offer Colonel; I can find no way to break the gravitational field with the limited means at my disposal." Hermiod reported. Colonel Caldwell sat back in his command chair feeling totally helpless, there was nothing they could do to escape what ever fate awaited them but maybe they could warn Earth.

"Foster! Flash dump our logs to the SGC they have to know what happened hear." Caldwell ordered.

"Unable to comply Colonel, the object is interfering with out bound communication I can try to…….

She never got to finish her sentence because at that same moment 4 beams of light struck the Daedalus and the world seemed to end in light.