[Well it has been a while since my last chapter but trying to get the next few out soon to wrap this one up. I'm also working on another book to go along with this one. But trying to deal with the Aschen appropriately is not easy. So I hope you enjoy this one. So remember to like and leave a comment at the end. Thanks for reading.]
Chapter 31 Ardena
Ardena
08 Jan 2017
The FE-350 Miranda dropped out of hyperspace right on cue, while not cloaking. Staying where the sun could easily reflect off the hull. From the ground, it would be hard to miss the new light in the early morning sky. The new light moved swiftly across the sky getting even brighter as it got closer. Then it seemed to have just stopped above the landmass where the settlements were. The few villagers that were out preparing for their day had seen the new light in the early morning sky. They watched as it came to a stop above their homes. They awoke anyone that was still slumbering in their beds. It wasn't long before there was something that was coming through the sky like a bird. It was headed to the landing site in the zone between the two factions.
JJ flew the raptor low over both encampments before selecting a landing sight in a small clearing surrounded by small trees. One of the first things that he noticed was that it must be winter here, for there were few leaves on them. It wasn't the ideal place but it would make anyone coming to get them to feel safe. After the raptor had landed, O'Neill lowered the back hatch and expanded the raptor's force field around a small area then waited.
"Sir, are you sure this is a good idea?" Allie asked.
"I concur this does seem a bit wacky even for you, Sir." Andy agreed.
"Ordinarily I would agree too. But we have the raptor and we are behind the shield. I don't think we're in any danger here. This way they will feel safer approaching us. Instead of us going to them." JJ said. "Besides I like the idea of them coming to us for a change and not winding up in some jail somewhere." Even though neither he are any of his team had ever been captured but the memories were still there. While the others had read all the fills on the old teams.
"That's one way to look at it, I guess." Allie agreed. After a bit more chatting on other matters. "Sir, we have visitors approaching from both sights." She reported after the perimeter alarm sounded.
O'Neill was starting to think this wasn't the brightest of plans. When they were close enough to hear him, he called out to them.
"Hello folks, we come in peace," JJ said in a loud voice while fighting back a smile. "We are here to inform you about one of your other colony ships, the Stromos." Upon the mention of the Stromos, he had gotten their attention. For they came out of hiding and walked up to the shield. "Don't come any closer there is a shield around the ship. I will let one from each group come in so we may talk." one man from each side stepped up. "I will however ask that you leave your weapons with your men. I a sure you that we truly mean you no harm." After a second they turned over their weapons to their subordinates. JJ turned to Allie and gave a nod and the shield came down. Once they were both inside she reactivated it.
"Now tell us, what do you know of the Stromos?" A tall dark-haired man asked in a loud ruff voice.
"Let's get introduced first, I'm Colonel O'Neill from the planet called Earth." He said.
"I'm Stantus, Regent of the Ardenains we are the descendants of the Arden crew." Stantus Said.
"I'm Franis of the Loyalist and you mean impostor." a slightly smaller man said getting a stern look from Stantus.
"It is good to meet with you both. We did notice that there had been some fighting between your groups. Is that over with, are there still tensions there?" JJ asked. Catching the looks that they were giving each other while still watching both men closely.
"There are still some tensions as you call them but we have been at peace for five years now," Franis said as Stantus nodded his head in agreement.
"Good I would have rather met you individually but was afraid we would cause you to start fighting or something. You two may come and have a seat and I will fill you in on the Stromos." They came to where three seats were set up. After they were seated he began. "We found the Stromos about fourteen years ago it had crashed on a planet we called P2A-347. It was a very dry and barren planet. The people were still being kelp in stasis. Except for one man who had been trying to keep the power up and running. Making what repairs he could. After we encountered him, we were able to provide the power they needed to be revived." He told them. "We then help to set them up on a new world more suited for life."
After JJ told them all he knew about the survivors of the Stromos and how they were getting along. "So if I may ask, why are you at odds with each other?"
"We gave up on the ways of the Sovereign but there were still a few believers. Over the years as our numbers grew so did the divisions we worked together until fifty years ago. When we clashed over some land we needed for farming. It was our first skirmish, ten people were killed. Since then we have had three other bits of violence where we have lost lives on both sides." Stantus said.
"Well if you traitors would quit coming to steal our Sovereign's land we wouldn't have to keep defending it." Franis spat out.
"Well, to tell the truth, your Sovereign is still alive in a stasis pod on Stromos. Well, at least his consciousness is. There was an accident when the ship crashed that damaged the stasis pods. An officer on board was able to transfer the consciousness of twenty people into himself. In order to save them. After we were able to revive the rest of the people he was then placed back in stasis to keep him from any other mental damage. Your scientist along with ours have been looking for a way to separate the other consciousnesses from him." JJ said.
"How was that possible?" Stantus asked.
"That is above my pay grade I'm afraid. We can bring a device here called a stargate that we use to travel between planets. It can send you across the stars in seconds. You could ask them yourselves and get better answers." JJ told them. "We can also bring you by ship but that would take a day or two."
"How fast are your ships anyways?" Franis asked.
"Well, we can cross the galaxy in just over a day if things are right. So I'm told that is. We use what is called a hyperspace window. Which takes us out of normal space. There is also FTL faster than light travel which is still in normal space which is still fast but much slower than hyperspace." Bennett said from behind O'Neill getting a look from him.
"But first if you would like we can give your people some time to adjust to us being here. I can even bring you to our ship so we can contact Stromos to let them know we have found another of the ships. There is also a matter that we need to talk about as well. Which was the reason that has brought us to this world, to begin with." JJ said. "We came here following a trail of clues from a race of people that left our home world millions of years ago. We found one of their outpost on the bottom of the seafloor about four hundred kilometers off the eastern shore. You may have seen some of their ruins on the mainland here."
"So how long have you been here?" Stantus asked.
"Our main ship got here yesterday well before the sun had risen for you. We have been able to recover the outpost and bring it to the surface. We have teams there now going over the systems. There are a lot of repairs needed as well as cleaning." Seeing the looks he was getting he began to fear he had told too much. "How have you been surviving here?"
"We have been doing ok for the most part. The winters seem to be getting longer and the growing season shorter. The wild game has been harder to find as well. Except for a few smaller creatures and some fowl. The livestock we had brought with us wasn't able to adapt to this world." Stantus went on and told the whole story of their earlier days on the planet after their ship had crashed.
"So would you be willing to reunite with the Stromos colony? They have a vast world with plenty of room to grow. Not to mention plenty of wildlife in the forest." JJ added. The two men looked at one another and then back to him.
"This world has become our home there are only three of the original crew left. They were only small children when our ship left our homeworld. This would be something that we would have to talk about. But not off the table." Stantus committed. With Franis agreeing.
Aschen Planet
08 Jan 2017
Six ships dropped out of hyperspace in a system that had five planets and two suns. There was only one that was habitable, it had four control ships with over a thousand Elementals. There was also a large shipyard that had two control ships in one bay and a superstructure. It was being fed by a fleet of small ships that were making trips to a nearby asteroid belt.
"Well, I thought this was going to be a challenge." Jack O'Neill said on the bridge of the Homer.
"Spin up the hyperspace jammers. Jam their communication signals as well." John Sheppard ordered. "Well Jack, shall we get this party started?" but it was Thor's ship that fired first taking out five clusters. The other two Asgard did the same. "It seems Thor is in a hurry."
"Well, what are we waiting on then," O'Neill said as the Homer let loose with two of the lox generators. Lighting leaped forth from the Homer striking multiple elemental clusters. Passing through one to another as they blew apart. On the Skywalker Shepard did the same. Two of the Asgard ships moved forward to the control ships firing their beams and disabling them before they beamed the crews off. Then with pinpoint accuracy, the control ships blew up with the next firing of their beams.
The Elementals were unable to receive new instruction so they were easily destroyed. There was little damage done to the combined fleet. They then moved to destroy the shipyard and support ships.
The planet was barren of human life and had no further resources detectable. So with the last of the elementals taken care of. The stargate was beamed off the surface into the hanger of the Skywalker. Sheppard had the Skywalker do extensive scans of the Aschen's weapon. Then all the ships targeted the weapon site on the surface and opened fire. Where the sight was destroyed completely.
A hologram appeared on the Skywalker of Thor. "If you have no further need of us? We still have work to do elsewhere." He said to Sheppard.
"No this is all we needed. Thanks for your assistance in these matters, Thor. Keep us informed of the other matters and don't hesitate to call if you need us. What about the prisoners you took?" Sheppard asked.
"We will take them with us for now. We will release them once their superiors have been dealt with." Thor informed him.
"Very well then. Now that we have taken out this weapon we will inform General Carter." John said.
With a nod, Thor vanished as his ships turned and entered hyperspace. It wasn't long before the Skywalker and Homer returned to Dakara.
Ardena
09 Jan 2017
Sg1 was setting in the galley having a late breakfast. They had been on the planet for over twenty hours the day before. The talks had gone well but there were still some that didn't want to leave their homes. While JJ had insisted on telling them that they didn't have to leave that it was just an option. That they would help them get in contact with the people of Stromos no matter what. Some had gotten very angry at him for even being there.
"Good morning Colonel O'Neill, I hope you and your team got some rest?" Young asked.
"We did Colonel. Any word on getting another stargate?" JJ asked in return.
"Yes. I've sent The Miranda to pick up one this morning. They should be back by 1700 hrs. We still haven't heard from the Stromos colony yet. General Carter has ordered General Ronson to send the BC-550 Independence and escorts along with the BS-700 Texas. To find out why they are not responding." Young said.
"Wow! That sure is a lot of ships that she is seeding. Just to see why they haven't responded." JJ said with dismay.
"Well if nothing is wrong they will say that they were just passing by. On their way to defend one of our colonies. Of course, if they have been invaded it should be enough ships to drive off any aggressor. At any rate, the General doesn't want to take any chances. She also has the other two task forces preparing to leave the worlds we just took. General Rodgers is sending in a ground force to assist with holding them. We are also sending in engineering teams to restore the people's way of life." Col. Young told them.
"Well, that makes sense," JJ said. "Glad we now have the resources to do things right for a change."
"I agree with you Colonel, we have managed to do a lot in the last four years. When this war started I never thought we would have gotten this for." Young told them. "Oh by the way we are General Carter is sending in a diplomatic team to finish the negotiations. She is also sending in another science team. Nyan and the Tok'ra have finished up on the ruins as well and are rejoining us here. So once the introductions are done your team will be free to head home. Who knows you might get sent to the front lines next."
Stromos Colony
09 Jan 2017
As the fleet of eight ships dropped out of hyperspace. They were treated by three earth ships made by the IOA. They knew these ships well enough they were used by the Peoples' Republic of China. They were armed with the Asgard beam weapons ten missile ports and railguns for point defense. Their shields were the same as the 304s but only slightly bigger than the 303s.
"What have we got here? Major Ross, open a channel." with the touch of a button the Major gave a nod. "This Colonel Gant Captain of the USAF Independence and commander of this fleet. Why are you here?"
They waited a few moments then repeated the message. "This Colonel Gant Captain of the USAF Independence and commander of this fleet. Why are you here?" She then looked to the comms officer. "Major, are they hearing us?"
"Yes Ma'am, I'm showing that the signal is getting through. They are just not responding." Major Ross reported.
"Captain there is activity on the surface. They have begun to beam people up from the surface." Tech Sergeant Fuller reported.
"Two of the ships have just raised their shield and are powering up their weapons." Another Tech reported.
"Shields up everyone. Lock beam weapons on their engines and prepare to fire on my command." Colonel Gant ordered. "Are we close enough to beam down any of our troops yet?"
"We will be in thirty seconds." the Tech Sargent replied.
"Have Major Lewis prepare a landing party to be ready to beam down as swiftly as possible. We need to know what they are doing down there. Have a medical team on standby as well." Gant ordered.
"They are launching fighters, Captain." a tech called out.
"Well let us not keep them waiting Launch Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta squadrons. I want those teams on the ground as soon as we are in range. Alice, have the other ships maneuver to block their escape vectors." Within moments, 302s began to leave both hangers. Moving to intercept the Chinese fighters.
"They have just fired their missiles we have six incoming. Four more are headed for The BS-700 Texas." Major Ross reported. Ten missiles came flying out of two of the three ships. As two EC-200s and one of the FE-350s made their way to surround the three ships.
"Fire the drones to intercept them, ready railguns take out any that gets past them. Don't wait on my order. Time to take out their engines, fire main weapons." Gant ordered. Two beams leaped from the Independence as two others came from The BS-700 Texas. It didn't take but two burst to pierce their shields and they hit pay dirt. The swarm of 302s was hard to follow for those that saw watching on the screens. There was a nearly four-to-one ratio as two of the Chinese 302s blew apart. The two capital ships fired their beams at The BC-550 Independence causing the shields to flash.
"Damage report?" Gant called out. After the hit shook the ship.
"Shields down three percent but holding." Major Ross reported. "The third ship is pulling away and our other ships are not in a position to stop it." Just then a hyperspace window opened and the ship was gone. Another strike hit the shields while the second wave of missiles came from both the remaining ships. But they were not headed at the fleet. It was then the ship shook again taking multiple strikes from both ships.
"There are ten missiles headed to the surface." Tech Sargent Fuller shouted.
"All ships fire intercepts don't let those missiles get to the surface," Grant ordered loudly. As she was watching out through the view screen.
The EC-200 Maine made a short hyperspace jump in the atmosphere in front of three of the missiles. They hit at slightly different times as the shields flashed. However, with the forward motion, she was unable to pull out of the dive. Crashing into a nearby forest.
Six others wear able to be shot down before they could make it to the ground. While one was taken out by an F-302. The last one was rammed by his wingman. With all the missiles now gone. There were only two ships left to deal with.
"Open a channel" Gant ordered. Getting a go from the comms officer. "This Colonel Gant Captain of the USAF Independence and commander of this fleet. This is your final warning. Stand down and prepare to be boarded." It was then that both ships blow up. "What happened?"
"It looks like they set off the self-destruct. Ma'am." Major Ross reported.
"Well, let us get our teams down there now. Send out a recovery team to the Maine, hopefully, they are alright. We need to know why they were here." Gant ordered as she sat back in her chair. "Well, it looks like we may have just declared war on China. We need to inform headquarters to have our forces on alert around the Chinese."
Major Lewis beamed down with his team of twelve marines. "Jameson take your team ahead to the stargate and secure it. We will head into the village to meet with whoever is in charge. Try not to shoot anyone if you can."
"Yes sir. Come on men on me." Jameson called out then they went toward the gate.
As Major Lewis came to the main building some of the people came walking out to greet them. "Can I help you men?" an older man called out to them.
"I'm Major Lewis from Stargate Command Earth. We have been trying to get in contact with your people for a few days now. We started getting concerned with what's been going on in the galaxy here of late. Thought we would drop by and check on you." He told the man resting his arms over his weapon as he came to a stop.
"We are fine here. We just got startled by some loud explosions. Was there a battle?" the man asked.
"Yes sir there was we lost two ships that I know of," he answered the man. "It was another country from our world. Not sure why they fired at us. We're not at war with them that know of. Has anyone seen any other people or ships here? Are you near the stargate?" Lewis asked looking at the man and then at the others that had shown up.
The man shook his head no. "Not to my knowledge." he looked to the others that had come out to meet the strangers.
A small girl stepped up. "I saw some people at big ring yesterday while I was picking flowers along the creek."
Lewis grabbed his mic "Jameson, has your team made it to the stargate yet?" for a long moment nothing. "Jameson, come in," he called out again. "Independence, this is Major Lewis, do you read." Still, nothing came through the radio. "Look, sir, I can't contact my men or my ship. We are going to head towards the stargate and then the crash site. They should be sending down a recovery team by now."
"Yes! Yes! That's fine. We will accompany you to the stargate." The man informed him. "You Three come with us. Everyone else please return to your homes." he motioned to the three men that had walked up.
Upon arriving at the stargate Major Lewis saw Lt Jameson kneeling at the DHD. "What have you found? Lieutenant." Seeing that a device was hooked up to the DHD.
"Not sure sir. But it is attached to the dial-home device. I believe it is messing with our radios." Lt Jameson answered.
"Do you think it is a bomb?" Asked Lewis.
"No sir, at least I don't think so!" Jameson said as he was unplugging it from the DHD. The device powered down as their radios went off.
"Major Lewis, this is the Independence, do you copy!" came the voice from the radio.
"This is Lewis, go ahead," Lewis responded.
On the Independence, the comms offers looks to the Captain with a nod. "Major, what's going on down there? We haven't been able to get through to you for a while." Gant stated.
"We found a device attached to the DHD. We just got it disconnected, believe it to be a signal scrambler of some kind." Lewis informed her.
"Have you made contact with the locals yet?" she asked.
"Well yes and no." Lewis paused. "I had just made contact when I realized the radios were not working. I'm heading back to town now."
"Just keep in mind we're on the clock here Major," Gant told him. "We have sent out a recovery team to the Maine. We are also missing one of our 302 pilots so keep an eye out."
"Copy that, Lewis out." Lewis letting go of the mic. Turning to the man that had come with him. "I'm sorry sir, I don't believe I got your name. It's been a very busy day."
"Yes, Yes that's quite understandable. I'm Councilman Hamish Lackman, what is it that's so important that it cost you three aircraft?" Hamish asked.
"Well Councilman Lackman, We found one of your other colony ships The Ardena. They too crashed on the wrong planet about a hundred years ago so I'm told." Lewis informed him.
"This is glorious news. We will call a forum and inform the Regent." Hamish said as one of the men turned to run back to the town.
Ardena
09 Jan 2017
The Miranda had returned to Ardena with the stargate and a few extra passengers on board. Once the stargate had been beamed down. The work began on getting it set up on the planet. While the new ambassador and his team were being introduced to the Ardenains.
Ardena
11 Jan 2017
"Well, the good news is that it has only taken a few days. Most of the time these kinds of talks can take weeks are even months." Ambassador Sheffield informed the group. "They will not make a claim on the outpost, in return for our continued support."
"That is good news, Mr. Sheffield. What of the people that are here?" the hologram of Carter said.
"They worked out that some of the people here on Ardena would move on to Stromos. While still keeping the settlement here going." Sheffield answered her. "They have asked for us to attempt to find their other lost ship. I told them that we could, but would have to clear it with you."
"We kind of have our hands full at the moment with the Aschen. But it is doable after that." Carter said.
"General, I could take on that mission. It would be in line with our directive we are after all an explorer ship." Colonel Young responded to the group.
"Well, where would you even start to look?" Carter asked. "The Galaxy is vast."
"We start at Talthus and work our way to Ardena," JJ said flat out like it was common knowledge.
"They said we could have their navigational charts from both of their ships. That would be a good place to start." Committed the ambassador.
"I studied their ship years ago, they only had FTL drives. We could pass them by and they wouldn't be seen. But we could look in the solar systems along the perspective route." Sam said shaking her head. "Colonel you have a go. You can have two EC 200s to assist you. I will want weekly reports and I want you to carry a stargate with you as well. Ambassador Sheffield, I want you to accompany them as well."
"What about SG-1 General?" Colonel O'Neill asked.
"Colonel bring your team back to Springfield. Colonel Young, check with General Mitchell for an SG team and any other support teams that you feel are needed. Just remember our first contact protocols. If you do make contact with a hostile race. Run and don't let them follow you home. We don't need any more trouble if at all possible." Sam said looking at Young sternly. "Is there anything else we need to discuss here today?"
"No General, that is all I have. I will start making a list of what we may need. Thank you for the mission. I won't let you down." Young said. "What of the outpost?"
"I am sending Dr. Rush, along with his science team there. They should be there in six hours. He will take over then." She looked around at the others and got nods. "Well gentlemen have a nice day." with that she terminated the hologram.
"Well Colonel, I believe you have some packing to do," Young told him. "Ambassador, I figure you have three days till we depart. So if there is anything you need to take care of you are free to head out with O'Neill."
"Yes Colonel, I do have a few things to settle up before we head out. Where shall I meet up with you at?" Sheffield asked.
"Once Dr. Rush and his team arrive, I will head back to Reach to regroup. So you can meet us there." Young informed him. "Well Colonel, wish you were coming with us it has been nice working with you."
"Well, the adventure would be fun. It's just that I'm not cut out for being in a tin can all the time. But you go have your fun. I'll grab my team and head back to Springfield. Where I can grab a bit to eat and maybe a cold brewski. While watching the next episode of the Simpsons." JJ said as he got up to head out.