Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or Battlestar Galactica: 2003.
Another Road not Taken
Chapter5: Gathering Storm
January 12th 2006
Xi System / Tyron Nebula
In orbit above New Caprica (P3X-493)
USS Prometheus
Main Bridge
The Colonial fleet had jumped into orbit above the planet they had decided to call New Caprica with the Prometheus remaining on station near the formation of ships. Several civilian ships had already descended into the atmosphere and landed in order to begin setting up their new colony. The rescue raptors had returned from their mission to Caprica and only found the Galactica waiting at the rendezvous coordinates.
Almost immediately the two Cylons known as Cavil aboard both the Galactica and the rescue raptors had been detained. The Cavils were (reluctantly) handed over to the Tau'ri and taken through the Stargate to the Delta Site on the other side of the galaxy where they were imprisoned, far out of range of the Cylon Resurrection network.
The Stargate itself had been moved inside the Ancient Outpost and an iris had been constructed to shield it from unexpected visitors. The Colonials hadn't been made aware of its existence yet however supplies were being shipped to them from Earth through it.
"Erm...sir," Delouise spoke up.
"Problem?" Pendergast asked as he sat down.
"The sensors just picked up a radiation signature consistent with that of a nuclear weapon being armed," Delouise reported.
"Source?" Pendergast questioned.
"That's the thing sir...it's coming from one of the civilian ships," Delouise explained. "Judging from the readings it's the Cloud Nine...signature is increasing."
"Lock onto it and beam it into space away from the fleet. Now!" Pendergast ordered. A few moments later a speck of light appeared away from the planet and then expanded into a miniature sun for several seconds before fading into darkness.
"Nuclear detonation confirmed," Delouise reported. "No casualties reported...we were lucky sir...with the amount of radiation in this nebula we'd never be able to detect that if we didn't have Asgard sensors."
"Have you got a lock on the one who activated it?" Pendergast questioned.
"Yes sir...she doesn't appear to have moved since we beamed the weapon off the ship," Delouise confirmed.
"Beam her directly to the brig," Pendergast gave the order.
"Done...sir, there's a message coming in from the Galactica...its Admiral Adama," Delouise informed.
"Patch him through," Pendergast acknowledged. "This is Colonel Pendergast," he began. "You wanted to speak with me Admiral?"
"We detected a nuclear detonation just off from the fleet and I was hoping you would explain what exactly happened. Colonel," Adama's voice was distorted, but he sounded both annoyed and un-amused.
"We detected a nuclear weapon being armed aboard one of your ships and transported it off in the same manner that we delivered our nukes to the Cylon Baseships. We've also captured the one responsible for activating the device," Pendergast explained. "It appears you have a saboteur in your fleet Admiral...and if I'm right then you have more than one."
March 26th 2006
Sol System
Earth
Stargate Command / Cheyenne Mountain
Control Room
"Incoming wormhole," Walter's voice sounded through the speakers. "Receiving Tok'ra IDC," he added.
"Open the iris," Landry gave the order as he entered the room. The iris protecting the gate retracted and a single figure stepped through. A blond woman stepped through and the gate shutdown behind her.
"I am Anise of the Tok'ra," the woman introduced herself.
"General Hank Landry, commander of Stargate Command. Welcome to Earth," Landry greeted. "Please forgive me if I seem confused by your arrival but we haven't heard much from the Tok'ra since the Goa'uld were defeated."
"We are currently rebuilding on our new homeworld," Anise stated. "However that is not why I have come...the Free Jaffa Nation has come under attack by an alien force we have never encountered before. They are attacking entire planets, most are human and Jaffa worlds however they have also attacked several of ours."
"...Oh no," Landry muttered.
"We believe you know of our enemy," Anise mused. "They refer to themselves as...the Cylons."
"We've run into them a few times over the last year," Landry nodded.
"These machines have taken human form like the Replicators," Anise continued. "Several Tok'ra symbiotes have tried to forcefully bond with them to acquire information from them however the hosts kill themselves before we are able to gleam anything useful. They do appear to consider Earth and the human race as a whole as something that needs to be either enslaved or destroyed. They remind us of the Goa'uld and we do not wish to see another empire like them rise again."
"We already know about them," Landry told her. "When did they start attacking the Jaffa?"
"A few weeks ago," Anise answered. "Their fighters also appear to be capable of faster-than-light travel and are able to appear inside the shields of Ha'taks. Their weapons are then able to destroy motherships from within their shields...the Jaffa are quickly losing ground."
"Then it's only a matter of time before they are able to locate Earth," Landry stated.
"These abominations have made an enemy of the Tok'ra," Anise added. "The High Council has agreed to supply any information we gather to the Tau'ri to aid you against these things."
"Thank you," Landry nodded. "Any help you can give us would be much appreciated," he turned. "Walter! Get me General O'Neill right now!"
"Yes sir!"
July 7th 2006
Sol System
Earth
Stargate Command / Cheyenne Mountain
Control Room
"Incoming wormhole," Walter's voice sounded through the speakers. "Receiving a transmission...it's Atlantis," he added.
"Put it through," Landry ordered as he entered came up behind the control console. The image of a woman he knew rather well as the administrator of the Atlantis Expedition appeared on the screen. "What can I do for you Elizabeth?" he asked.
"Sorry to call in ahead of schedule but we have a situation here," Weir spoke. "I'm sure you've read my report about the Wraith Hiveship that appeared in orbit a week ago and wanted to turn our retrovirus into a weapon to use on the other Wraith here in Pegasus."
"I read your report Elizabeth," Landry confirmed. "Did something happen?"
"The deal was a sham from the start," Weir explained. "They planted a virus in the info they gave us and it managed to locate and acquire the location of every world in our database...including Earth."
"...How many ships?" Landry asked now worried.
"Two Hiveships are currently on course for Earth," Weir answered. "The Daedalus took some damage but she's still operational and the Orion's Hyperdrive is functional and should be ready to fight shortly."
"What are you suggesting?" Landry inquired.
"We cannot allow the Wraith to reach Earth, General," Weir told him.
"...You have a plan I take it?" Landry asked her.
"We've calculated the coordinates where the Hiveships will drop out of hyperspace to 'heal' their hulls," Weir explained. "I plan on stopping them before they get any further than that."
"With what exactly?" Landry inquired.
"With everything we've got," Weir answered.
"...Dial us back in an hour Elizabeth...I'll make some calls...Landry out," Landry finished and the screen flickered off as the gate shutdown.
"Sir?" Walter asked over his shoulder.
"Get me Colonel Emerson onboard the Odyssey and contact General O'Neill. It looks like the Russians are going to have to launch the Korolev ahead of schedule after all," Landry ordered.
July 7th 2006
Sol System
In orbit above Earth
USS Odyssey
Main Bridge
"How many ships are there exactly?" Emerson asked.
"Just the two," Landry told him. "The Russians are sending the Korolev with you and Atlantis is dispatching the Daedalus and the Orion as we speak."
"From what I've heard the Daedalus isn't exactly in the best shape and the Orion can barely fly as it is. The Korolev hasn't even had its shakedown cruise yet sir," Emerson shook his head.
"The IOA is aware of that...but we have no choice," Landry continued. "If the Wraith make it to Earth we'll hit them with the Antarctic weapon however doing so would deplete the remainder of our drones...and with the Cylons active across the galaxy we'd rather not use it unless we have too."
"...Understood sir," Emerson nodded. "What about the Prometheus or the Astrea sir?"
"Their Hyperdrives aren't as fast as those installed on the 304s...they'd never be able to reach the battle in time," Landry explained. "They'll be remaining here at Earth...just in case the Wraith make it through our ambush."
"...Very well...the Odyssey is ready to go whenever sir," Emerson acknowledged.
"You have a go...Godspeed," Landry nodded and the screen flickered off.
"The Korolev just launched from Siberia now sir," Marks reported. "She's charging her Hyperdrive and Colonel Chekov bids us good hunting."
"Alright then...Major Marks, break us out of orbit and take us into hyperspace. Set a course for the void," Emerson gave the order.
"Yes sir," Marks acknowledged and complied with the order.
Together the two Tau'ri warships formed up and tore open subspace in front of them. They accelerated and disappeared into the hyperspace windows and the cloud-like distortions closed behind them.
July 12th 2006
Sol System
Earth
Stargate Command / Cheyenne Mountain
Control Room
The base was reasonably quiet compared to most of the time and General Landry couldn't help but sigh as he looked over another report on the attacks on the Free Jaffa Nation by the Cylon Empire. The Cylons were nuking planets all over the Cygnus Arm of the galaxy and the Jaffa didn't seem to be able to even slow them down.
Thankfully they didn't seem to understand how to use the Stargate yet however they were machines...if they were anything like the Replicators then it would only be a matter of time. Already several Asgard ships had been dispatched to defend planets under the Protected Planets Treaty which was still in effect even after the downfall of the Goa'uld.
Regarding the Colonials, the Prometheus had managed to round up several more Cylon infiltrators in the Colonial Fleet at New Caprica. This included a child with a surprising heritage...Hera Agathon, the daughter of a human, Karl Agathon and a Cylon, Sharon Valerie. The Tau'ri had all but demanded that the child be sent back to her parents and when the Admiral found out he was less than pleased with his President's actions.
Suddenly the alarms began blaring all over the base and personnel began to quickly head to their stations. Landry made is way out of his office and down to the control room where he could already see the staff sergeant at work.
"What is it this time?" Landry demanded.
"Sir, we just received word from NASA," Walter relayed. "One of their deep space probes detected several ships matching Cylon configuration holding position near Neptune."
"How many?" Landry asked now concerned.
"Six Baseships," Walter replied.
"There is probably more on the way," Landry said grimly. "Get me General O'Neill, General Hammond and the President now."
"Yes sir."
"They got us with our backs against the wall," Landry said simply as he sat in his office chair.
"Six ships won't be enough to break through our defences," General Jack O'Neill spoke through the phone.
"He's right Mister President," General George Hammond added. "They could give us a run for our money though...even with the Antarctic outpost."
"Am I the only one who thinks it's just a bit odd that the Cylons decided to attack us directly the moment we send most of our fleet away to fight the Wraith?" Jack asked.
"Maybe it was bad timing," Hammond countered.
"It seemed to me that the Cylons are waiting for reinforcements," Landry spoke up. "They have to know that six Baseships won't be enough...especially after what happened during our last two battles with them."
"We don't have a lot of time then," President Henry Hayes said clearly. "What are our options? The rest of the fleet is off intercepting the Wraith in the void and if the Cylons bring in more ships not even the Prometheus, Astrea and the Antarctic weapon will be able to deal with them."
"Our surface-to-space missile sites will do a lot of damage to the Cylons fleet if they're able to take orbit," Hammond responded. "No matter what happens the Cylons will have a hell of a fight on their hands."
"That may not be enough," Landry said grimly.
"You might want to contact the Asgard too and see if they can spare a few ships. Thor owes me a favour or two," Jack suggested. "I'll head to Antarctica and sit in the chair. With the ZPM we got from Kobol it should be able to fire when I use it."
"I'll contact the Asgard immediately," Landry acknowledged. "What about the Colonials?"
"What about them?" Hayes asked back.
"They have the most experience fighting the Cylons and we need all the ships we can get right now. We could certainly ask them to help," Landry suggested.
"...See what you can do," Hayes gave the okay.
July 12th 2006
Xi System / Tyron Nebula
New Caprica (P3X-493)
New Caprica City
Colonial One
In the past six months since they first set foot on this cold haven from the Cylons the Colonial people had grown use to life on their new colony. The ships too large or not designed to land remained in orbit including the Galactica and the Pegasus. Both of which were becoming lax without any real combat however none of their crews had left their ships, instead opting to remain aboard in case the Cylons ever learned of their world's location.
The situation changed when Doctor Jackson, one of the most infamous men to ever appear in the presence of the Colonial leadership arrived on planet with news of an imminent Cylon attack being prepared on the planet Earth.
"How many Basestars?" Adama inquired.
"Another two jumped in before I came here so that makes eight," Daniel answered. "They haven't moved so we're expecting more of their ships to arrive in the next few hours."
"Eight Basestars, frak," Tigh cursed from the side.
"We're spread pretty thin right now; most of Earth's fleet is off engaging a race called the Wraith and are too far away to be recalled. Prometheus, Astrea and four Asgard ships are all that stands between the Cylons and Earth. I wouldn't be asking you this if we weren't desperate," Daniel explained.
"...Could you step outside for the moment while we discuss this," it wasn't a suggestion. Daniel nodded and was led out of the room before Roslin turned to the Admiral. "What do you think?" she asked him.
"...I think that the only way for us to survive is if the Tau'ri are able to defeat the Cylons," Adama replied truthfully.
"We could always stay here and hide. Rebuild our civilization," Roslin offered.
"And it will only be a matter of time before the Cylons find this planet," Adama reasoned. "When that day comes...it might be Earth that comes to our aid and not the other way around."
"...You're right," Roslin nodded with a sigh. "Do what you need to...don't let the Cylons do to Earth what they did to the colonies."
"Yes Madam President," Adama nodded.
July 12th 2006
Xi System / Tyron Nebula
In orbit above New Caprica (P3X-493)
Battlestar Galactica
CIC
In orbit above the planet sat the Battlestars Galactica and Pegasus just off of the formation of civilian ships. The CIC of the forty year old warship was looking much the same she always had though sections of her armour had been slowly replaced by newer armour created on New Caprica and shipped into orbit.
Currently Admiral Adama stood beside the table in the center of the CIC with Colonel Tigh standing across from him waiting patiently. His old friend gave him a reassuring nod with a grin and Adama knew that his XO had his back no matter what. He picked up the small phone on the table and waited for the chime to gather everyone's attention.
"This is Admiral Adama," his voice sounded through the speakers throughout the two warships. "Moments ago this ship received word of an imminent Cylon attack against Earth is about to be launched," he echoed the words he'd used so long ago. "From the reports we've received the enemy force consists of eight Basestars...probably more. Earth has formally requested our assistance in fighting the Cylon threat against their homeworld and I have agreed." He paused and looked around at the faces of those around the room.
"Two years ago, I promised to lead you to a new home and that is what I have done. We've all suffered...we've all lost something...and I'll be honest and say there was a time when I questioned whether we would ever truly be free of the Cylons. The Cylons are planning to destroy Earth and in doing so do the same thing they did against the colonies...I cannot allow that to happen. I intend to take the Galactica and the Pegasus to Earth in order to render aid and beat the Cylons back into the void. Considering the nature of this mission and the high probability that we will not survive this mission is voluntary only...anyone who wishes to leave may do so now. I will not think anything less of you," Adama declared.
After a few moments of silence Gaeta spoke up, "sir. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we won't let the Cylons do as they frakking please," the rest of the command crew agreed. "So say we all," he said finally.
"So say we all," they all echoed.
"...Thank you," Adama gave a nod to everyone.
"Well what are all of you standing around for? Charge the jump drive and sound action stations. Move it people!" Tigh roared into action.
"Set condition one throughout the ship," Gaeta said into the comm.
"Mister Gaeta," Adama spoke clearly. "Plot a course for Earth...we're going to make the Cylons realise exactly why they needed a computer virus to beat us at the colonies."
"So say we all," Tigh grinned.
The Galactica and the Pegasus soon disappeared in flashes of light. The Cylons had nuked their homes from orbit and chased them across the stars as they searched for Earth. They weren't about to let the Cylons do whatever they wanted any longer...those walking toasters would be stopped and the it was the human race who would be there to do it.
So Say we all...
Author's Notes:
For the record the Cylons have had six months and two battles to come up with a countermeasure to the Asgard transporter technology. I think the reason that the Tau'ri didn't beam nukes out into open space near the Wraith ships was because of the limit of its range and the size of the Wraith EM jamming field.
Also the Tau'ri employ Asgard shields matching that of the O'Neill-class battleship only using weaker Naquadah reactors as opposed to Asgard Neutrino-ion reactors. As such the Tau'ri shield technologies are not as advanced (without a ZPM powering them) and judging by the episode 'Off the Grid' a single Ha'tak staff bolt was able to drain twenty percent of its shield in one shot.
Though I'll admit that was probably because it hadn't even had its shakedown cruise and was operating at ninety percent completion. Considering Wraith energy weapons are a lot more powerful and the Daedalus can take a near constant barrage from twelve Hive-ships for a few minutes it would seem to be the case.
Now onto this chapter: the Cylons have been launching attacks on the Jaffa and they've finally located Earth at the same time as two Wraith Hive-ships have tricked Atlantis. This has forced the Tau'ri into a corner with their fleet separated across two galaxies. Thankfully the Asgard and the Colonials are willing to help though nothing is ever so simple as that.
In my opinion SG1 Season 9 was ruined by the introduction of the Ori because the writers wanted to create a new 'super powerful' enemy that pawns everybody else from the last seven years. It was okay when they did it with Anubis because Anubis was the textbook definition of a villain, a badass villain at that.
What they should have done was create an enemy that was technologically at the same level as the Tau'ri and Jaffa that had hidden from the Goa'uld before the fall. This would have showed the progression of the Tau'ri and the stabilisation of the galactic community. I admit they tried that with the Lucian Alliance but they failed because they turned the Lucian Alliance into a gangster enemy from one of those old Chicago films. That's one of the main reasons the SGU is such a failure right now.
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