4. Wraith Attack
Defence Satellite
As the three Wraith Hive ships and there escorting cruisers drop out of hyperspace near the last defence satellite, in Atlantis's control room everyone is watching the display showing the Wraith ships.
General Hammond says, "Dr McKay, you may fire when ready."
Dr McKay, who is working at his laptop, replies, "Activating the defence satellite now and indicating to the satellites targeting system that the three Wraith Hive ships are the satellites first targets to be destroyed."
The defence satellite after a few moments opens fire, slicing the first Wraith Hive ship in two, causing it to explode, a few moments later the defence satellite opens fire on the second Wraith Hive ship, also slicing this second ship in two and again causing it to explode.
Meanwhile back in Atlantis's control room Dr McKay looking worryingly at his laptop and says, "Oh crap."
General Hammond asks, "Dr McKay, what is wrong?"
Dr McKay while typing rapidly on his laptop replies, "The defence satellite rerouted power relays have overloaded, I do not think that the satellite will fire again."
Before anyone can respond, the Wraith ships open fire on the defence satellite destroying it, for a few minutes everyone looks at the display, then General Hammond asks, "Dr McKay, do you know how long before the Wraith arrive at Atlantis?"
Dr McKay looking at his laptop replies, "A few days at the most."
General Hammond says, "That is not very accurate Dr McKay, I need a more precise time."
Dr McKay replies, "Between three and four days at the most, as the last Hive ship does not appear to be jumping into hyperspace immediately."
General Hammond says, "The Prometheus on her own, is no match for a Wraith Hive ship and its escort force, Atlantis's weapons are nearly expended therefore we have no choice but to abandon Atlantis and destroy the city."
Dr Weir opens her mouth to object, but finds no words are coming out to object, General Hammond is right, Atlantis must not fall into Wraith hands, the city must be destroyed.
General Hammond says, "Dr Weir begin evacuation to the Alpha site, take everything you can, the last team behind will be evacuated onboard the Prometheus."
Dr Weir says nothing for a few minutes then in a quiet voice says, "You all heard General Hammond, begin the evacuation."
What no one knows is that this will all change within a few minutes.
Rescue
With the last of the three Wraith Hive ships and its escort of cruisers on the way, General Hammond has ordered all none essential personnel for the defence of to Atlantis evacuate to the Alpha site and Dr Weir activates the city's self-destruct.
Atlantis must be destroyed to prevent it from falling in to Wraith hands.
General Hammond has ordered Dr Weir to commence the activation of the self-destruct mechanism. As they attempt to dial the Alpha site, the gate is suddenly activated a wormhole is established from Earth. Much to everyone's amazement, a company of marines come through the Stargate, Dr Weir and her team, are greeted by Colonel Everett who instantly try's to take command.
Colonel Everett is stopped mid flow by the arrival of General Hammond, who informs Colonel Everett that he is in command here General Hammond's authority (and rank) overrides General O'Neill's original orders.
Colonel Everett informs General Hammond that they are here to defend Atlantis at all cost, and that they have brought weapons and equipment with which to do so. Dr McKay concludes that Stargate Command must have found a ZPM and Colonel Everett informs General Hammond that the Daedalus will arrive in four days at the latest with the ZPM.
In the conference room, Everett informs the others about their plan, but Weir is only allowed to join after Sheppard insists. They are informed that they will use advanced rail gun weapons along with eight Naquadah-enhanced 1,200-megatonne nuclear weapons as stealth space mines.
General Hammond orders that the eight Naquadah-enhanced 1,200-megatonne nuclear weapons are to be deployed onboard the Prometheus where General Hammond will use them at his discretion.
They only have to hold out against the last remaining Wraith Hive Ship until the Daedalus arrives with the ZPM, this something that they all agree is possible.
General Hammond says, "We have a little less than four days people to prepare for the Wraith attack and a lot of work to do, so get moving people."
Over the next few days, the work goes ahead setting up the weapons brought from Stargate Command to defend Atlantis.
Four Days Later
On the morning of the forth day, the defences have been set-up, General Hammond is onboard the Prometheus, Colonel Sheppard is in the chair room ready to use the city's remaining drone weapons against the Wraith Darts.
Sergeant Harriman says, "General Hammond, I am detecting one Wraith Hive ship coming out of hyperspace along with five Wraith cruisers."
General Hammond says, "Thank you Sergeant, all hand to battle stations, power up the shields and arm all weapons, launch the 302s."
Sergeant Harriman replies, "Yes sir" the battle alarm, sounds as the Prometheus comes to a combat stance.
A minute later, Sergeant Harriman says, "General, the Prometheus is fully prepared for battle, the 302s have been launched and are in a defensive formation around the Prometheus. Colonel Sheppard is in the chair room ready to launch the drones, Colonel Everett reports that his people are ready, Dr Weir is in Atlantis's control room and is ready to activate the self destruct just in case."
General Hammond says, "Good work people, now we are in for the fight of our lives."
Sergeant Harriman states, "General, the Wraith Hive ship is launching Darts they appear to be heading towards Atlantis."
General Hammond says, "All forward rail guns open fire try to cut down the numbers of fighters heading towards Atlantis, also have the 302s engage the Darts as well."
Sergeant Harriman replies, "All forward rail guns firing."
The Prometheus forward rail guns open fire on the Darts heading towards the planet, the numbers of Darts overwhelm the rail guns and are only able to pick off a few Darts, the rest make it through Prometheus rail guns fire. These are followed by the 302s that begin to pick of the Darts as they approach the city, one they are within range Colonel Sheppard begins to engage with the drones, along with Colonel Everett's defence teams.
As the battle intensifies, the Prometheus comes under sustained fire from not only the hive ship but also the Wrath cruisers as well.
General Hammond says, "Arm two Mark IX nuclear missiles and fire them in the Wraith Hive ships main hanger bay that should take out there fighters and if we are lucky destroy the ship as well."
Sergeant Harriman replies, "Firing now"
From the Prometheus the two Mark IX nuclear missiles head towards the Wraith Hive ships main hanger bay, but before they can get in close several Wraith Darts take the two missiles out.
Dr Jackson who is standing next to General Hammond asks, "Can we beam a nuke in?"
General Hammond into the open comm asks, "Dr Novak can we beam a nuke into the hive ship?"
Dr Novak replies, "No sir that will not work, the safeties will not allow it."
From just behind where General Hammond is sitting Dr Jackson then asks, "What about the mines we have onboard, could we beam one into close proximity to the Wraith Hive ship and then detonate it. The mines should be powerful enough to destroy a Wraith Hive ship, if we can beam the mine close enough to the hull of the Wraith Hive ship?"
General Hammond into the open comm asks, "Dr Novak would that work?"
Dr Novak replies, "Yes that would work, the mine could be set to activate one second after being beamed out, at that close range I doubt the even a Wraith Hive ship could survive a Naquadah-enhanced 1,200-megatonne nuke."
General Hammond into the open comm asks, "Dr Novak, proceed, beam when ready."
Dr Novak replies, "Yes sir"
After several tense minutes, Dr Novak over the comm says, "First nuke ready, beaming now."
On the bridge, they all watch the Wraith Hive ship, for several monuments, nothing appears to happen, then midway along the top of the Wraith Hive ship the nuke detonates, the nuclear explosion rips the Wraith Hive ship in two. Then a few moments later the Wraith Hive ship explodes, taking one of the Wraith cruisers with it.
There is cheering on both the Prometheus and Atlantis, now all that is left to deal with are the four remaining Wrath cruisers.
Sergeant Harriman breaks through the cheering on the bridge of the Prometheus and says, "General a ship is coming out of hyperspace" a few seconds later with a growing smile on his face he says, "Sir it is the Daedalus"
General Hammond says, "Open a channel to the Daedalus."
Sergeant Harriman replies, "Ready sir."
General Hammond says, "This is General Hammond to the Daedalus, authentication Serra Golf One Seven Nine Four Three."
Over the bridge speakers comes, "This is Colonel Steven Caldwell commander of the Daedalus, it is good to hear your voice general, we have the ZPM for Atlantis, as soon as we have beamed it down we will help you with the Wraith ships."
General Hammond says, "Understood and welcome."
As soon as the ZPM and a security detachment have beamed down the Daedalus launches her fighters and moves to engage the remaining Wrath cruisers with the Prometheus.
Seeing how quickly the last Hive ship had been destroyed, the remaining Wrath cruisers promptly withdraw into hyperspace.
The remaining darts then make a kamikaze run onto the city. However, Dr McKay is able to install the city's newly arrived Zero Point Module and activate the shield moments before the darts rained down upon the city's shields.
The first major battle against the Wraith had been won, but it would not be the last, as the Wraith does not easily give up.
Three Hours Later
The equipment and personnel from the Alpha Site have returned to Atlantis, as the Alpha Site is no longer needed as Atlantis has a ZPM to power the city's shields.
In Atlantis's meeting room, there is a post battle debriefing going on, General Hammond is saying, "The Prometheus has suffered moderate battle damage, this should be able to be repairs within the next few days, we also lost one 302, along with two others damaged, they are currently being repaired. However, with the arrival of the Daedalus, this has more than made up for the loss of one fighter."
Dr McKay is next to speak, "With the ZPM install the city's shields can be activated at any time, however I would suggest we use the ZPM for the shields and no other system, as we only have one. The Naquadah power generators, can be used to power the city's other systems, such as the long ranged sensors."
General Hammond replies, "Agreed Dr McKay, as soon, as the briefing is over see to it. With Colonel Everett incapacitated by a Wraith who attempted to feed on him, Colonel Sheppard you are the next senior officer, you will take over his command, as I will need Colonel Caldwell to command the Daedalus."
Colonel Sheppard replies, "Yes sir."
Dr Weir is the next to speak she says, "We have given the Wraith a bloody nose maybe they will take the hit and not bother us again."
Teyla responds, "That is unlikely Dr Weir, according to my peoples history, if the Wraith are beaten in one battle, they simply send more Wraith in the next battle."
General Hammond replies, "I agree, the Wraith have only lost one battle and not the war. Based on what you have shown me about the Wraith and unlikely to give up after one battle, we must be prepared for more Wraith attacks."
Dr Weir nods and says, "Unfortunately General I have to agree with you and Teyla."
General Hammond asks, "Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with the next Wraith attack when it comes?"
Colonel Sheppard replies, "Yes sir, we could use the remaining seven Naquadah-enhanced 1,200-megatonne nuclear weapons to take out more hive ships, if and when they come."
General Hammond states, "I already had that in mind Colonel, I am looking for other options?"
Vala Mal Doran, who was sitting next to Dr Jackson, puts her hand up and says, "We could try and find more of these ZPMs, I am very good at finding things that have been hidden."
General Hammond and Dr Jackson exchange glances and General Hammond asks, "Were would you start looking?"
Vala Mal Doran replies, "In this city, these Ancients may have hidden some ZPMs within the city."
The Asgard advisor Hermiod says, "I have scanned the city for ZPMs, apart from the one currently installed there are none within the city or even on the planet."
Vala Mal Doran un-phased by what Hermiod has just said replies, "Well if they have hidden them a scan may not find them, correct?"
Hermiod looks at Vala Mal Doran, blinks and says, "Correct, it may require a manual search of the city."
General Hammond sighs and replies, "Very well, but Dr Jackson will accompany you on your search."
Vala Mal Doran says, "That is fine with me."
Dr Jackson rolls his eyes and in a sarcastic tone replies, "Gee, thanks"
The briefing goes on for another few hours, then breaks up with Vala and Dr Jackson beginning their search for more ZPMs that may be concealed somewhere in the city.
The Search for ZPMs
In the control room Dr Jackson says, "Vala, it could take several lifetimes to search this city."
Vala grins at Dr Jackson and says, "That is incorrect, lesson one, you will need to hide a ZPM near where it is going to be used they would not hide on the other side of the city."
Dr Jackson replies, "Hmmm, ok that makes some sense."
Vala says, "So we start in the power room and work out."
Power Room
As Vala enters the power room, she looks around then carefully examines the walls of the power room over the next hour.
Just over an hour Dr Jackson asks, "Vala, admit it you have found nothing?"
Vala turns and frowns at Dr Jackson and replies, "Daniel you should have more faith in me" and then taps a wall panel, then tray opens to reveal a set of three containers that are shaped to hold ZPMs, though now empty.
Dr Jackson frowns at Vala then into his radio he says, "General Hammond, Vala has found something, I thing you will want to see."
Over the radio, General Hammond replies, "On my way."
A few minutes later General Hammond accompanied by Colonel Sheppard, Dr McKay and Hermiod has come to see what Vala has found.
Dr McKay is the first to speak looking at the now open storage compartment and says, "I never knew that was there, none of our scans revealed this."
Hermiod who is also looking at the open storage compartment states, "Agreed."
Vala with a very smug grin on her face says, "I am not finished yet" walking over to the other side of the wall, taps another panel and another storage compartment open, this one is also empty.
Every one stares at Vala in amazement, with Vala still having a very smug grin on her face.
Dr Jackson says, "Ok, so you managed to find where the Ancients stored the ZPMs, but you have not found any ZPMs"
Vala replies, "That should be 'you have not found any ZPMs yet' Daniel"
General Hammond says, "Keep searching, you may get lucky"
Then over the comm Dr Zelenka says, "All command staff report to the control room there is something that you will all need to see."
Control Room
Later, in the control room everyone is looking at the main display, Dr McKay says, "You have got to be kidding me."
Dr Zelenka replies, "No Rodney, the scans are confirmed there are twelve more Hive Ships and thirty-six cruisers on their way here."
Infuriated that they had been defeated, the Wraith have responded to this by sending twelve more Hive Ships and thirty-six cruisers, no less than a full of their entire fleet to deal with Atlantis.
The battle for Atlantis had gone to a completely new level.
To be continued.