Episode 16
Helium Prime
The Lantian ship Hope arrives in orbit over Aquarius. The Hope lands and General Horton exits from the ship. Aquarius hanger bay can hold 10 Lantian ships various classes. A lance corporal comes up to him. "Sir, Mr. Woolsey would like to see you in the control room." General Horton heads to the control passing by Aquarius personal which include Lantians. The men and women he passes salute him and returns the salute. He enters his old office.
"Reporting as ordered sir," Heath says to Mr. Woolsey.
"General Horton, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard and his team have found a race of people with technology like Earth during the Vietnam War."
"They must have escaped Wraith provenance to develop that far since most of the people in this galaxy are well behind even the Genii."
"I quite agree they could make powerful allies that's while I want you to head to the planet to begin negotiations and find out how they are able to stay hidden from the Wraith."
"That could be useful with other planets to keep them safe from the Wraith."
"I quite agree general."
"I'll lead within the hour." So, an hour later General Horton enters the Aquarius' gateroom with his offworld team and they go through the gate. Colonel Sheppard and his team meet them at the gate. A representative from the planet's government is also there to meet the general. Colonel Sheppard handled the introductions. Heath noticed the Stargate is in the open but he did notice the Stargate is well defended. Two concrete bunkers with duel machine-guns provide overlapping fields of fire not to mention some sort of Anti-Aircraft guns on top probably to shoot down Darts. A convoy of armored vehicles arrived. The representative tells them the vehicles will take them to the citadel. The vehicles head back the way they came. The city gate opens to allow them access. As soon as they enter the gates swings shut behind them. He noticed several anti-air emplacements on some of the towers which look like Arcturus Heavy Batteries, but how could they build them. They arrived at the main stronghold. The Guards open the door for the Aquarius expedition. The representative tells them the president will meet with them soon. They are waiting in a luxury room.
Elsewhere in the Pegasus Galaxy Queen Death, has had the Lantian Prince wife now for two perhaps 3 weeks and is wandering why he hasn't come for her yet. "Why hasn't the half-breed come and reclaim is queen yet?" Queen Death asks.
"I don't know my queen, perhaps he can't find us?" The Old One says.
"Send word that she'll be at the Citadel through some of our contacts hopefully the news will reach the Lantians." Queen Death says. The Old One bows and departs. The Wraith Stronghold is defended by 3 Hive ships, a dozen cruisers, a Super Hive, and thousands of Darts in space and on the surface its defended by Wraith Anti-Air batteries that fire the same type of energy has their hives and cruisers and thousands of Wraith Warriors. Death knows the Lantians will have a tough fight to save her. She however decides to send a Hive and the Old One to assume command of the stronghold.
General Devon Heath Horton is looking at the city from a balcony in the citadel. Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard has informed him the Helium Prime military is more advance then any culture within the Pegasus Galaxy and the equivalent to them is Earth during and a few years after the Vietnam War. the Helium Prime Armed Forces consist of Army, Navy, and Air Force. the Wraith have tried to cull the planet numerous times but have been driven off but they want reveal how. Rodney McKay found out the planet is defended by a lone Lantian Orbital Defense Platform and General Horton wonders how many more planets have them. Heath wonders if the Pegasus Galaxy is a bigger then what they were made to believe. They only know from what the hologram on Atlantis told them when they first arrived from earth. They know of a thousand worlds pore the fruit of life. Rodney contacts him via his radio. "How are things up in the ODP Rodney?"
"We're training the Helium how to operate the platform since it's been reilltize. The ODP, has point defense turrets for dealing with Darts or any other type of smaller fighter and may be able to take out a cruiser as well. The ODP does have limited range so the Wraith must be close."
"What else is up there?"
"There are 57 Unman fighters for defense along with 3 Jumpers," Rodney informs him. general Heath Horton goes to his meeting with the President of Helium Prime. Colonel Sheppard and the rest of his team are checking out the other continent which Rodney informed them off.
The President Office:
Heath enters and they shake hands. "What can I do for you General Horton?" The president asks.
"Well Mr. President, I know you asks me here to help you with some crisis I would like to know what it is," Heath answers.
"Follow me general," the president says. he leads the general to a secret command center. Heath notices some of the stuff in the room are of Lantian design.
"How did you itnialize the systems?"
"They were already like this when we found this command center," the president says. Heath could tell he was lying but didn't say anything yet. "General I've been informed that you have way of finding out information from Wraith even though they wouldn't tell me how. I really don't care how you do it. I would like you to question a Wraith prisoner for us."
"How did you manage to capture a Wraith if you don't mine me asking?"
"Thirteen of their fighters emerge from the Ring of the Ancestors. We shot them all down. One crashed and a Wraith pilot survived."
"Did he make any threats?" Heath asks since he knows the Wraith like to make threats after they're captured some are empty others are not. General Horton follows the president along with his guards to their holding area which are Lantian cells. The Wraith prisoner looked well nourish. "You've been feeding him?"
"Yes, with criminals who have murdered our people, but not until they're giving a fair trial and found guilty."
"What was the threat?"
"He said to release him or the might of the Wraith Empire will descend upon us." Heath has heard the name before and he looks at the Wraith and sees the same symbol he saw several times before as well. "You heard of the Wraith Empire before I take it?" heath nods.
"We don't know much about them except they are a coalition of Wraith that serve an empress and an emperor and the ones we dealt with since we arrived in Pegasus have been those that split from the empire," he responds. "Can I talk with him alone?" the president nods and tells the guards to allow the general into the cell. The guards unlock the cell and Heath enters. The president and the guards leave. The Wraith looks at him. the cell is locked behind the general. Heath knows the Wraith can still kill him but can't feed off him because of his Wraith Royal Blood Line.
"I told you before human if you release me the Wraith Empire will never attack or cull this planet and we'll keep the rebels from doing so as well for at least three generations. However, if you don't then this world is doom." The Wraith says.
"I'm not from this world I've come through the Stargate as a peaceful explorer," Heath answered.
"Where are you from human?" The Wraith demands. Heath refuse to answer he knew the Wraith would attempt to try to get into his head but he's prepare for that. He knows the Wraith is a high-ranking Wraith when he attempts to read his mind. Even though the Wraith doesn't gain access to his mind Heath decides to tell him who he is and where he came from.
"My name is General Heath Horton and I'm the commanding officer of Atlantis," he answered. He notices a smile appear on his face.
"Your mind is strong for a human, no human can withstand our mind probes for very long. I wonder if you can resist me feeding on you." The Wraith laughs. General Horton was expecting this he still has his sidearm and a knife but he wants the Wraith to realize who he's talking too not just an ordinary human but the son of the two royals. The Wraith slams his feeding hand into the general's chest but nothing happens. The Wraith remove his hand and looks into Heath's eyes and goes to his knees realizing who he's in the presence of. "You're the emperor's son the abomination the empress is wanting to be eradicated." Heath nods. "Forgive me sire. I am a humble servant of the Wraith Empire."
"What are you doing here?" Heath asks the Wraith.
"I was sent here by you father to aid this planet from the rebels who might cull or attack."
"Why would my father want to protect the humans?"
"That I do not know sire but this world has doom itself for they are keeping me prisoner and if they should kill me then the empress will attack."
"What guarantee can you make that this world will never come under attack and what of the Wraith on the other continent?" He could tell that the Wraith is surprise Heath knew about the Wraith on the other continent.
"I can't make a genuine guarantee that this world want come under attack but your father will keep his word any planet that joins with this alliance any Wraith ships that may attack or cull will face repercussions and many wants oppose the emperor's orders of course if he should die then the empress commands."
"I've seen the Wraith break deals plenty of times," Heath says.
"The emperor word is bond no deal would be broken for as long as he's in charge," The Wraith answered. Heath could tell the Wraith isn't lying.
"I'm not in charge here but I'll see what I can do but I can't make you any promises." The Wraith nods and gets back onto his feet. He calls for the guard. The guard arrives and opens the cell door and Heath exits. He returns to his quarters the president gave him to change and wash up.
An hour later he arrives in the great hall and spots Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard and his team at one table along with Lieutenant Ford. He goes over to sit with his friends. "John, what did you find on the other side?" Heath asks already knowing the answer.
"I'll tell you in private sir," John says because the Helium Prime President and his aides enters. They sit down with them at the table.
"General Horton, what did you learn from the Wraith prisoner and did he make the same threats he did to us." The president asks him. Heath takes a swallow of his drink.
"He told me that if you allow him to leave this world and they'll never bother this world again."
"Heath, you can't trust the Wraith," Teyla says.
"The Wraith is different he's like an ambassador for them," Heath replies.
"General, the Wraith should be executed Teyla is right you can't trust them." Helium Prime commanding general says. general Heath looks at him.
"General, how many Wraith have you met with since this government was created or how many Wraith have tried to attack you?" General Horton asks.
"In the 10,000 years," he stops. "I have never met the Wraith before."
"You're Lantians/Ancients who have never ascended, but have kept this planet safe since the war." john and the others are looking at him confuse.
"how did you know?" the President asks.
"I have my suspicions since I arrived on the planet. Many of your people have the ATA gene. However, your Jumpers were destroyed during the war with the Wraith which is why you couldn't reach the Orbital Defense Platform that is why you needed us."
"Yes, were Lantians but only 2 hundred of us are left some still in cryosleep. This planet wasn't important to the Lantian High Council except for the academy which use to exist which train our warriors that is why they only gave us on Anti-Air Battery and one Orbital Defense Platform, but before the war ended we started construction on another station but the Wraith showed up before it was finish."
"Quiet he has no right to know our pass," the general says. "The Wraith took much from us and they'll pay we now have access to Jumpers and we'll use them to strike back against the Wraith. You can help us with Atlantis weapons we could turn the tide back into our favor." Heath smiles.
"We're not from Atlantis but Aquarius," Heath says.
"How did you find it it's not in the Ancient database?"
"I used the Ancient knowledge in my head and I saw the planet when we discovered the Hammer," Heath responds.
"No human can possess the knowledge of the Ancients without suffering harm." Teyla and the others realized the general is still smiling and he laugh a little.
"he's Merenwen's son," one of the Lantians that accompanied General Horton to the planet.
"How do we know that's true?" Another aide asks. The doors to the great hall opens. A strange figure walks in but in Lantian clothing. Many of the Lantians recognized and assume it's a ghost of Merenwen's father and the King of the Lantians. Some get up and bow after he says.
"I assure you my friends I'm not a ghost but I exist now has pure energy since I have ascended." Heath looks at his grandfather he's not happy that he can interfere and break the rules but others can't. "My grandson is telling the truth. He will need your help to finally bring the war to the end." Heath couldn't stand it any longer the rage of how the ascended treat those who break the rules especially when humans actually need help like with the Ori or Anubis.
"I see how it's not a crime for you to break the rules but it is for others."
"Heath don't upset him," John says.
"No, its fine John Sheppard allow him to get it off his chest," Heath's grandfather says.
"How many have been punished for breaking the rules and coming to humanity's aide. Chaya was punished to protect one world when she couldn't sit by and watch her planet be destroyed by the Wraith. Orin who warn us about the Ori, Oma Desyaya made a mistake with Anubis trying to do the right thing not to mention countless others. Why is it that you give those who help me a free pass but no others? My theory is that you want me to succeed where you failed with the Wraith. John and the others look from Heath to the Ascended Ancient.
"We'll talk later you have a work to do and you have some of your information wrong." With that he turns back into pure energy and leaves. Heath takes a breath.
"Please continue Mr. President with your story I apologize for my behavior." The President/Lantian nods.
"the Wraith showed up they brought eight hives and dozens of cruisers our battle cruisers engage them, but more showed up plus they send fighters through the Stargate. The Orbital Defense Platform we were working on manage 2 destroy 3 hives and 2 cruisers before 550 Darts attacked the station many doing suside runs. Our unman fighters and Jumpers were also destroyed our battlecruisers continue to fight but they were overrun. They land ground troops as well. We left the continent they first attack using our underground systems. The other continent was protected by the fully operational Orbital Defense Platform and our remaing unman fighters. I know 2 Hive ships and a cruiser were shot down and crash on the other continent. The rest of the Hive ships and cruisers entered hyperspace and I guess they head to Atlantis. We placed ourselves in hibernation chambers to wait out the time knowing the Orbital Defense Platform and a few remaing Lantian defenses would protect us over here. The hibernation chambers were sealed but the inhabitants weren't so lucky during the years while we slept the Wraith culled the planet from the Stargate. Fourteen years ago, some of us woke up and return to the surface. The inhabitants were down to a more primitive but they welcomed them with open arms they didn't know who they were because many from that time were dead. The Genii came 2 years after that of course those that were revived help the people of this world to advance a little but the Wraith didn't return. The Genii stayed here for around 4 years." The general over Helium Prime military gets up and walks away.
"despite the Genii regime over this planet the planet flourish of course but the Genii turn away any refugees fleeing from the Wraith. However, there were of course other things to a lot of women became prostotes to please the Genii soldiers. So, the general you met gather a group of people together to overthrow the Genii. It was a few years but finally we ended the Genii occupation of our planet. Some of the Genii joined with us. I was revived along with a few more and together he and I rebuilt Helium Prime into what you see now. I was elected leader of this planet." He takes a sip of his water. "Now with the Wraith on the way our defenses will be put to the test. Thinks to you and your people you've given us a fighting chance if the general doesn't screw it up."
"Why does he hate the Wraith so much?" Ford asks.
"During the war his family were killed most of us have lost love ones to the Wraith his wife was also pregnant at the time."
"What about you?" John asks.
"I lost my wife but they fed on her. I hate the Wraith but I want do something that could bring doom to our planet, the general on the other hand might. The Wraith are living beings that need to eat but the way they eat is different from others. Now if you excuse me I have other business to discuss." They leave the only ones remaining now are John and his team along with Lieutenant Aiden Ford and his team.
"Let me guess what you saw on the other side a down Hive ship," Heath says.
"How did you know sir?" Aiden asks.
"I've known it was there shortly after my arrival," Heath answered.
"The Wraith over there are preparing to attack over here I don't know if the Helium's Coastal Defenses will keep them at bay for long. They have Darts, Shuttles and they built some new stuff. I would bet they have a queen or two over there," Teyla says.
"What do you think lieutenant?" Heath asks Ford.
"I think we should deliver the first strike sir," Ford replies.
"what other options do we have Jumpers have advantage of a cloak, but as soon as we fire that advantage is over," Heath says.
"Why don't you try to get information from the Wraith prisoner," John suggest. Heath nods. They didn't know their conversation was being overheard by the Helium Prime General. He leaves before they exit. He heads to the prison with one mission to kill the prisoner. He tells the guards to leave and they do so without question. He opens the cell and pulls out a Lantian Plasma Pistol.
"You have doomed your world Lantian." The Wraith says with a snarl.
"This is for my family you killed when your kind attacked this world 10,000 years ago, I want this war so I can kill more of your kind. Helium Prime will never fall to you." He shoots the Wraith before he can resort. Three shots rain out. He leaves not knowing the Wraith sent a mental message to the Wraith on the other continent to send word to the Wraith Armada nearby. Heath enters the brig and sees a medical team in the cell with the Wraith. He gets closer, the medical doctor shakes his head the Wraith was gone even before they arrived. General Horton returns to his quarters and finds his grandfather waiting for him.
"Do you know how to knock?" He asks his grandfather.
"We need to discuss somethings," he replies. heath sits down. "You're right about many things, but we can't change the pass but we can make sure the people of this galaxy will have a future and you can have a future with your wife and child."
"if I get her back," Heath says.
"You'll get her back," his grandfather says. "There want be peace until the empress is killed and you must do it. I'm sure you've already heard that I killed your Wraith grandfather, but it's not true we were meeting to discuss peace when his ship exploded. The Wraith open fire on us after the emperor's hive was destroyed we retreated. The empress wants all Lantians and their decedents died and any planet that is powerful enough to challenge her to be wiped out."
"Why does she hate Lantians so much?" His grandfather looks at him and without another word he disappears. "Thanks gramps."
The very next day the President of Helium Prime asks to see General Horton. Heath goes to see the president. I know he's an ancient but majority of the population of Helium Prime has no clue that he's what they call an Ancestor. General Horton and the president discuss the approaching Wraith Fleet/Armada. General Horton advise him to send his women, children, and old to an unhabited planet where they would be safe and could restart if the planet falls to the Wraith. He agrees plus he's sending fifty-five soldiers to protect them.
Onboard a Wraith Hive ship a Wraith general arrives before the Supreme Commander of the Wraith Fleet heading towards Helium Prime. He enters the queen's chamber. "My queen we've just received word from the queen on the surface of Helium Prime the Emperor's Ambassador is dead he was killed by a Lantian."
"Very well general, speed up the fleet the Empire will have their revenge," the queen replies. "the empress was right no human can be trusted they have only one purpose to either be slaves or food or even both."
"As you wish my queen," the general says bowing and departs. After he left a figure appeared from the darkness surrounded by Wraith Royal Guards.
"My empress, I want adware of your arrival," she says bowing.
"You weren't supposed too," the empress replies in a dark cold voice. "I want this planet destroyed no survivors except for those culled to feed on."
"As you wish my empress. I have some news for you. My Wraith worshippers have reported that the Lantians from Atlantis are also on the planet. What should we do with them?"
"Bring them before me," she says. The queen bows and the empress departs to board her flagship she will join with the attack on Helium Prime.