3 Weeks Later. USAF Daedalus

Garabaldi/Edgars industry shipyard in orbit of Syrium Plenum Mars.

Mars. Named after the God of war in Roman Mythology and Col. Caldwell thought. aptly named as he studied the rust red hue of the planet that hung majestically in the Bridge's main view port dominating the 'Horizon'. Caldwell could hardly suppress the smile that crept across his face as he studied the red planet it all its glory. Ironic he thought, for so many years we were traveling to the most distant planets in our galaxy yet our closest neighbor remained out of reach. All of that of course had changed with Prometheus; a true testament of human stubbornness and drive which opened the door to the galaxy in ways the Stargate couldn't. But standing here and seeing the overwhelming view of the red planet brought it all into sharp focus, the Impossible had become possible.

Despite the initial enthusiasm that the Daedalus could be refitted in such a short time; problems immediately cropped for the teams assigned to refit the small ship. For one the Software used by both systems had proved incompatible and new targeting parameters and algorithms had to be written. Then there were issues with integrating the Interceptors themselves which had taken almost a week to solve, and now the biggest problems to rear its ugly head was integrating the Asgard targeting scanners INTO the Interceptor/CIWIS grid THEN have both systems work in sync.

Despite what many people thought; Technology this advanced wasn't just plug and play, aspects of the technologies the crew were trying to integrate into the tiny warship were proving temperamental, especially when trying to work with the more advanced and completely unfamiliar Asgard Systems. Systems that had already been modified to work with the less advanced SGC systems. It was the most difficult and frustrating work that either the Daedalus crew or their EA counterparts had ever had the displeasure of doing.

However it wasn't all bad; Work modifying the F-302's had progressed far more smoothly although a few snags had cropped up there too. It was perhaps the fastest merger of two completely different tech bases that Caldwell could ever think of. In fact the F-302s were undergoing their first day of rigorous testing in the Martian Atmosphere with the Thunderbolt Starfuries acting as Guardian Angels for support.

So far it had been a spectacular success, but Caldwell reasoned, that was mainly due to the fact that both systems were tried and true technologies rather than experimental systems in need of rigorous testing. Earth force was on a War Footing and Merging technologies like the 302 and the Starfury would ordinarily have taken years instead of weeks, but Earth was on Borrowed time and didn't have years. Caldwell was skeptical about the whole thing. Having been a pilot himself Caldwell knew how temperamental planes could be to even the smallest changes, but the F-302 was getting an entire new engine and weapons system as well as a major retooling of her power plant which hardly constituted as minor changes.

The fact that the birds seemed to be taking well to the new systems spoke immensely of their modular design. He just hoped there weren't any repercussions his pilots would have to pay for with their lives. Another spectacular success had been the cross training program between the Air force and Earth Force fighter pilots. Though great in their own right Caldwell could immediately see a vast improvement in their performance, having been made that much better working alongside their EA counterparts.

"Col. Caldwell Sir?" Major Foster asked waking the Colonel from his revere.

"Yes Foster." Caldwell replied stepping away from the main view port to stand beside his XO and Helmsman.

"The status report you asked for." Major Foster began. "They're still behind schedule." Foster double checked the report in her hand. "Novak says the Asgard systems are proving more difficult than anticipated. Hermiod countered that it's the crude and inferior Earth Alliance software package that's causing all the problems. The yardmaster is confident we'll meet the extended time table despite this most recent setback, alpha group will be back from their small shore leave tomorrow morning, And it seems Novak and Hermiod are about to kill each other…again." Major Foster reported with a growing smirk on her face.

"Business as usual then?" Caldwell replied in good humor.

"Pretty much sir." Foster replied in the same good humor.

"Speaking of which." Colonel Caldwell said as he folded his arms across his chest as he leaned against Foster's station. "I thought you were going to take Novak to the surface and unwind?" the Colonel asked. "What happened?"

"What didn't happen?" Foster blurted out. "We 'were' relaxing and otherwise enjoying the surreal environment of Mars taking in the sites, shopping, the usual things we ladies do." Foster Began. "But you know, Novak is a skittish person, it doesn't take much to get her stressed. First we got stuck in an elevator with an alien called a Pak'Mar'A. The stench was bad enough to almost make me loose my lunch, which she did...much to the Pak'Mar'A's delight." Foster said growing slightly ill at the memory. "Next we took a tour to see some of the historical sites on Mars only to have the shuttle make an emergency landing out in the middle of no where when its engines failed."

"I remember seeing the news about that." Caldwell admitted. Thank God you two are alright." Caldwell said with a genuine relief.

Foster closed her eyes and clenched her teeth as she recalled the frustration of that incident. "The Landing wasn't that bad sir." She began calmly. "I've gone through worse in my time, but to some easily excitable civilians and an overbearing news crew looking for the next big scoop I suppose it would constitute a crash landing. A transport was on its way to pick us up when Novak suddenly got the idea in her head she could fix the Transport's engines. Five hours later she was still swearing she could fix it." Fostered sighed. "You know they still can't make heads or tails of what she did to the engines?"

Later on that night while we were at a bar things were going nice and quite and we were having a good time relaxing and taking in the scenery. Then we were approached by two aliens which I later learned were called Narns who said they would like to 'sample some of our genetic material.' Now I know a lame pickup line when I hear one but Novak who by this time was a little tipsy thought they were talking about Biology! I tried to send her some subtle hints it was different kind of biology they were referring too but the poor girl was just too far gone. Then one of the Narns made the mistake of offering a 'Nice price' and Novak freaked. She kicked the first guy square in the groin then kneed the second guy in his pouch all while screaming she wasn't some kind of cheap whore. After that she bolted for the door, by the time I got outside the club to try and calm her down she was half way down the street and showed no signs of slowing down."

"I'm sorry I asked." Col. Caldwell said, feeling sympathy for the two women.

"I didn't know she could run that fast, And where did she learn to kick like that?" Foster asked clearly impressed with what she had seen.

"She ran track in high school, as for the kicking I think she picked that up from Teal'c when he was teaching martial arts at the base." Caldwell responded.

"Well sir I've made a mental note to never piss her off when she's drunk." Foster replied with a laugh.

"I can see what you mean; looking at her you'd never suspect that she's-"

"SHIT!" a loud curse echoed across the bridge instantly grabbing everyone's attention. Col. Caldwell knew no one on his crew would let an outburst unless something was wrong. Turning to face a very flustered looking Lt. Miguel Caldwell frowned wondering what would get his weapons officer so flustered. "What's wrong lieutenant."

"My sensor feed and fire control systems are down...again!"

"That's the third time this week!" Major foster replied beating Col. Caldwell in stating the obvious.

"Novak what's going on with the Fire control system?" Caldwell asked tapping his earpiece.

"I'm sorry about that Colonel we're tracking down the problem now, I think it's a problem with the data linking from the interceptor tracking system." Novak said frustrated into his earpiece.

"Why would that affect my fire control systems?" Lt. Miguel asked exasperatedly.

"Because they're all networked together." Novak responded. "When one acts up it causes problems for the rest. These systems are all interconnected for maximum effectiveness."

"Doctor this ship is scheduled to make the run to Atlantis within 2 weeks; I need to know that the Daedalus will be in top form by then." Col. Caldwell stated.

"The Ship will be ready for testing by the end of the week Colonel." Novak Responded "This is the last problem that seems to have come up and it shouldn't take too long to fix."

"Yeah right." Miguel grunted quietly. "She said the same thing last week."

"Understood doctor, do what you can Caldwell out." Col. Caldwell ended the link.

"This refit is proving to be more difficult than I would have preferred." Col. Caldwell began. "We're just going to have to bite the bullet and deal with these problems as they arise."

"Another shakedown in less than 3 months." Foster observed sourly for the crowd "What fun."

"I don't like it any more than you major but it has to be done before our run to Atlantis."

"Sir what about the follow on ships of the Daedalus class?" Lt. Miguel spoke up.

"They're halting construction of Odyssey, Argoand Nemesis so the new technologies we've acquired can be integrated into their designs." Caldwell answered. "Pulse/Laser Cannons, heavy rail Guns; Integrated Shield/Interceptor/E-WEB grid, a new magnetic launching system as well as the improved missiles, the works." Caldwell answered. "Unfortunately construction time will take considerably longer for each bird due to the delays, and don't even get started on the Cost overruns. It's enough to make the guys on the appropriations committee have kittens."

"Col. Caldwell sir?" an Air Force tech manning the communications station to the left of Fosters station spoke up.

"What is it?" Col. Caldwell said moving to stand beside her.

"We are receiving a message from Earth Force Command." She said, still listening in to her ear piece, after a few moments she looked up towards the Col. "They say they've received an urgent communiqué from our side of the rift."

"Route it to my terminal." Col. Caldwell ordered leaving her side and taking his chair. The Colonel brought the small LCD screen punching a few commands into the interface on the armrest of his chair. After a brief second the message scrolled across his screen.

Col. Caldwell read the message without displaying any outward emotion for several minutes then at one point his face seemed to drain of all color. "My God." He whispered to himself.

"Sir?" Major Foster inquired having heard him as she moved to his side.

Col. Caldwell stared ahead at the forward viewport for several seconds before speaking up. "We just go word from back home." Col. Caldwell began for both his officers as he lifted himself from his chair to face them. "Atlantis Base managed to send off a distress call. The Wraith a powerful alien race in the Pegasus galaxy are on their way to take the city, they'll be at Atlantis in a little over a week and our people don't have the means to fend them off." Col. Caldwell knew he had to shift things into high gear to get Daedalus ready for her inevitable deployment. "Novak this is Col. Caldwell." The Colonel, said into the link.

"Go Ahead Colonel." Novak replied distractedly.

"Novak I need you to speed up this refit as fast as you can, ASAP." The Col. responded.

"Sir we're going to need a week to see if all the new systems check out." Novak countered.

"We don't have week Doctor, we've been given till the end of tomorrow to be ready then we head back to our side of the rift." Caldwell said relaying the news. "Don't argue Doctor Novak just get it done."

"What's wrong sir?" Novak asked catching his tone of voice. "What's changed?"

Colonel Caldwell had to bite back anfrustrated retort; Lindsey Novak wasn't military and wasn't accustomed to blindly taking orders, despite her nervous nature she often spoke her mind much to the Colonels annoyance, however Col. Caldwell needed her focused on her job to get the Daedalus ready for combat. Reluctantly Col. Caldwell decided to tell her so she would grasp the enormity of the situation. "Doctor, Atlantis is Under Siege."