Episode 23: Preparations

Note: Fans of B5 will notice some liberties have been taken with the interior of Epsilon III.

Within Epsilon III

O'Neill and his team arrived at the complex, far underneath the surface of the planet. Dim lights illuminated the massive complex around them, massive spires extending high and out of site.

"The Stormtroopers and Federation security teams will be beaming down shortly, along with Chellis and Goliath," Major Carter said.

"According to the information Captain Sheridan gave us, the central complex lies in that direction," Data said, pointing down a corridor entrance, "Inside is a humanoid named Draal, connected to the Machine."

"There is supposed to be advanced defensive devices located throughout. I don't see anything like that," Daniel Jackson said.

"Perhaps we have done nothing to trigger them. This Draal may know why we have arrived," Teal'c mused.

"Maybe," Jack wondered aloud. Behind him the transport began in earnest, "let's move out."

"There is minimal power here," Data said, his tricorder humming.

O'Neill and his group moved out, the various soldiers behind them working quickly, organizing their forces and equipment as more and more were beamed down. O'Neill adjusted the unfamiliar weapon slung over his shoulder, constantly checking the settings as they walked. They entered the corridor and moved towards the exit, their footfalls echoing off the metal walls.

"Whoa," O'Neill said quietly as they emerged into the central complex. Before them a large walkway ran along the wall off to their sides, while a bridge stretched off ahead, running for several hundred feet across a massive span. O'Neill approached the edge, staring down into its depths. He reasoned it fell off for several kilometers.

"No guardrails of course," he said quietly, "guess whoever built this place hadn't invented those yet. Typical."

"Sheridan's information says the central core is beyond that far wall," Carter said.

"We'll make our stand on the opposite edge. It looks like there is only one way in here…the way we just came."

"Makes sense," Carter agreed.

O'Neill turned and watched a Stormtrooper and a Federation Lieutenant enter the chamber, their heads craning up, trying to take in the complex. Several more soldiers followed them, lugging containers and equipment. O'Neill instructed them to begin setting up on the opposite side of the bridge. Goliath and the Protoss warrior soon entered the room as well, nodding as they arrived.

"Major Carter, take Jackson, Data, and our two new friends here into the core. See if you can find this Draal. We'll get set up here."

The group headed across the bridge, careful to stay in the center of the large span. O'Neill began to instruct the men to setup the portable shield generators along the edge of the causeway, several Stormtroopers setting up heavy laser installations as well. All the men moved with a grave and intent movement. The air around them was heavy and ominous.

Carter along another corridor as they headed for the central chamber. After several minutes of walking, they emerged into the large room. Before them a humanoid rested upright against the far wall, connected to a vast machine that stretched out around him. The lights pulsed faintly.

"Draal?" she called out.

Data walked towards the unmoving man, his tricorder held out before him. He studied Draal, working the controls of the handheld device. He turned back to the two SG-1 members.

"He is unconscious."

"I guess that explains the complex at minimal power."

"Sam, over here," Jackson called out. Next to the device where Draal rested was a computer console with a steady stream of information scrolling across the screen. Daniel stepped aside as Data and Carter approached. The Major leaned over and then let out a heavy sigh.

"Data, is that what I think it is?"

"I believe it is Assembled programming code, Major."

"Good Lord," Jackson uttered.

"How did it get here?"

"I would surmise that when the Assembled vessel Captain Sheridan described scanned the planet they deposited this coding. My scans indicate it has inhibited the majority of this Machine's functions."

"That would explain the defenses not functioning," Chellis mused.

"And Draal?" Goliath asked.

"The code has apparently placed him deep into unconsciousness."

"Can you shut the program down, Data?" Jackson asked.

"I am afraid not, Doctor. Anything I may attempt could permanently harm Draal."

"An acceptable risk, I fear," Chellis advised.

"I disagree," Data countered, "if Draal is harmed, the Machine may cease to function…or worse."

"If the Assembled where able to do this, why not simple complete their mission and use the Machine now to destroy the multi-verse?" Goliath asked.

"Such an endeavor would require direct access via this terminal. It is too complicated to complete remotely and it may have taken some time for the code to finish this task. The code was merely a means to reduce the likelihood of interference. However, I believe we can bypass the majority of the program and activate the Machine to complete our mission from here. However, it will take some time."

"I'll tell Jack," Daniel said. He jogged back to the bridge, looking for the Colonel. Around him the Federation security personnel and Imperial Stormtroopers were occupied with completing their defensive positions. A loud hum filled the air as the shield generators were activated throughout the perimeter. A Federation officer was speaking to Jack, pointing at the TR-116.

"The shields have been adjusted to allow transport of the rifle cartridges. However, we've set up scramblers to prevent the constructs from beaming in. We've also adjusted the shields to allow the Imperial heavy weapons to fire through them."

"Sounds good. Can you switch it off if the robots start using a similar weapon?"

"The shields have been configured to be a one-way street, Colonel."

"Good stuff. Carry on, Lieutenant."

The officer headed over to a large group of men. Daniel walked over to O'Neill as the Colonel took off his hat and begin to adjust the rim. It was a nervous habit the Doctor immediately recognized, O'Neill only doing it when anxious and apprehensive.

"Not having a good feeling, Jack?"

"Not particularly, no."

"We should be fine, don't you think? We have a lot of help here."

"We've been through a lot, Daniel. We'll face this like every other situation we've been in. It's just…facing the end of the universe with Star Trek, a big gargoyle, a gold-plated alien and a seven-foot tall dictator…it's a hell of a dairy entry, huh?"

USS Enterprise

For what may have been the eighteenth time, Picard circled the bridge. He began to wish the command deck was actually larger. Outside, the fleet silently waited around the planet, a small group of transports rushing from Babylon 5 in the distance and heading towards the jump gate. Picard wondered if they would have time to evacuate the entire station. His answer came when as the helm officer pointed into the viewscreen.

"Captain!"

Picard turned. Outside, a large ship suddenly appeared, quickly accompanied by multiple flashes of red energy that coalesced into additional ships. Picard turned to LaForge, eyebrows raised in a silent question.

"Reading forty vessels, sir."

"Alert the fleet. The Assembled have arrived."