Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Somewhere Over Arda - Five Days Later
When the orcs on the ground in the Northwest disappeared in a white light, they looked around and didn't know where they were or how they got there, and when they saw tall menacing things surrounding and looking at them, they cowed.
After all the men in the surrounding mountains disappeared in a white light, an invisible energy field was erected around said mountains and also that entire area, so no one could enter or leave.
"Hello gentlemen," the Major said when the Easterlings were transported to their temporary home in an empty cargo bay aboard the same vessel as the orcs.
The Easterlings looked around with stunned looks on their faces and wondered how they got there. They saw men with strange things in their hands and those things were pointed at them. They also saw tall things looking at him and thought they were worse than trolls. They looked for their weapons and didn't find any.
"Who are you?" one Easterling asked with a defiant look on his face to the man who was standing near them. "Do you know what our Master is going to do to you when he finds out what you've done to us?"
"To answer your first question – we're your worse nightmare," the man answered "Even if your Master did know where you are, he can't do anything about it and you're now out of his reach."
"You're not afraid of our Master?" a second Easterling asked surprised.
"No, and he's a coward and always has been," the man answered.
"Brave words," a third Easterling said.
The Major smiled.
"You're mortals like we are," the first Easterling said.
"Yes we are," the man replied.
"Who do you work for?" another Easterling asked.
The Major ignored the question. "This cargo bay is now your home until the duration," he told them and walked out of the cargo bay.
"When you get tired of standing you can sit on the deck," the Sargent told them.
A few Easterlings did just that, and a few minutes later the others did the same and talked quietly among themselves.
xxx
Cirith Ninniach
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Daniels and his men and women were transported inside the tunnel below Cirith Ninniach and immediately set-up a Command Post and brought everything they needed, including water. Two days later Colonel Daniels gave his teams the green light.
xxx
Hithlum
"Belgar," Dambar said when he stopped eating and noticed blood dripping from his friend's forehead.
When Dambar and the others picked up Belgar after he fell over, they saw the back of his head was missing and blood was everywhere and they dropped his body to the ground and looked around. Dambar's head exploded when he turned around and the other two were shot through the heart, and four Easterlings souls were sent to Mandos.
xxx
While a middle-aged Edain woman was walking to a nearby well, she was accosted from behind and dragged into a nearby cave. She looked at the strangers, who were dressed in all black with their faces covered and carrying things she'd never seen before, except their daggers. "Who are you?" she asked in a frightened voice looking from one to the other.
"Soldiers," a female answered when she took off her mask. "We will not harm you and we're here to help you." "Can you tell us about these men and their families?" she asked, showing her a picture of each family.
The female Edain had never seen parchment like that before and knew the men and their families were Easterlings. "Why?" she asked the female soldier suspiciously.
"We're going to kill them," she answered with a wicked grin.
The female Edain smiled and gave them the information they requested.
The Easterlings and their families never saw or heard the men and women who entered their homes a few nights later and quietly slit their throats.
xxx
When eight soldiers walked into a tavern in Hithlum everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at the strangers when they entered, and knew they weren't from Hithlum by the way they were dressed and the boots they wore. Their hair was also short, along with the female's hair who were with the men; and the men in the tavern knew respectful women did not accompany men in Hithlum at that hour. They noticed the females also wore pants and that the strangers were shorter than they were, but more powerfully built. Their bearing was also different and none of them had a bow or sword and only wore daggers around their waist. None of them wore a cloak, but something similar, yet different (long coats).
The strangers heard whispers among the patrons, and most turned away when they saw their eyes and the looks on their faces. The kind of looks the Easterlings knew that if they crossed them, they would have their throats cuts. While the strangers were having their drinks a brave soul in the tavern walked up to them and asked where they were from. One of the soldiers said Timbuktu and the others with him laughed at the expression on the man's face because they knew he'd never heard of the place. The Easterling didn't like being the butt of their joke and drew his dagger, but before he could bring it up, a male soldier stood up, grabbed his hand and broke it. He was still screaming when the solider pushed him down on his knees and crushed his windpipe, and the others watched as his dead body fell on the dirty and grimy floor.
There was stunned silence in the tavern and the soldiers then stood up and drew their concealed weapons from inside their coats, and they saw no one moved. Four more soldiers entered the tavern also with their guns drawn – and everyone complied when they were told to lay down on the floor. No one heard the gun shots, nor did anyone see the strangers being transported away before the tavern burned to the ground.
The remaining Easterlings and their families in Hithlum were transported to another vessel, and they too were greeted by a Major.
The Easterling leaders and their families in Dor-Lómin and Mithrim suffered the same fate; and the remaining Easterlings were transported to a different cargo vessel and were greeted by a female Major
When the stargate was transported near the Gate of the Noldor in Hithlum, along with Colonel Corrina and Major Howard and their Teams a few days later, they departed to get the remaining Edain in the Northwest.
When the Edain were told what happened to their enemies they rejoiced and welcomed their Saviors. Six weeks later Moran, Harad and Boromir lead their people through the stargate."
If Morgoth knew all his human servants were either dead or no longer on Arda, he gave no indication.
xxx
Somewhere in South Arda - Command Post of Colonel Salar
Colonel Salar smiled when she read Colonel Daniels' report and sent a copy to Major General Thos, the Commander of Operation Retribution and Commander of the Fleet above Arda. After General Thos read the report he forwarded it to General Dima on Atlantis.
General Dima contacted General Thos the next day with his new orders, and General Thos met with the Commanders of the cargo vessels an hour later. When the Commanders returned to their ships their wormhole drives were engaged and they departed. When they arrived at Atlantis they jumped into hyperspace; and when they arrived at their destination the orcs were transported into space.
xxx
"Welcome to your new home," the Major said when he walked into the foul smelling cargo bay. He knew his prisoners had been adequately fed and used the facilities, but none had a bath, shower or a change of clothing.
"Where are we?" a Easterling asked.
"Show them where they are Lieutenant," the Major said.
"Yes sir," he replied.
There was gasps and screams when the screen opened and they saw they were among the stars. The Easterlings now knew what the man meant when he said they were out of their Master's reach.
"All the Easterlings on Arda are either dead or on one of these ships," the Major told them.
"Why have you done this to us?" one of the leaders asked in an angry tone.
"It's called retribution for what you and your ancestors did to the Edain on your Master's orders," the Major answered. "You didn't think you were going to get away with that, did you?"
There was silence in the cargo bay.
"How are we going to get there?" someone asked still stunned at being among the stars.
"You're going to be transported to the surface of the planet below," the Major answered.
Murmurs among the Easterlings.
"Lieutenant," the Major said.
"Yes sir," he replied and began transporting the Easterlings to the surface.
The ones who were transported first watched as others were transported nearby and many more further away and they had their families with them. They looked around and saw greenery in a distance and began walking in that direction looking for food and water.
"How is this a punishment for them sir?" the Lieutenant asked after the Easterlings on all the ships were transported to the planet.
"This world is at an end of an ice age and the smart ones will keep walking south," the Major answered.
"And we'll be watching them the whole time," the Lieutenant said, finally understanding.
"Yes we will," the Major replied.
The Easterlings didn't know that their descendants will one day become members of the AGF and they'll finally rejoin the family of man after they discover the stargate; and all memory of Arda and what their ancestors did on Arda will be long forgotten.
The President, General Brennan and the Joint Chiefs thought it prudent to separate the Easterlings and the Edain; and have the Edain live in the Pegasus galaxy and the Easterlings live in the Milky Way galaxy.
xxx
One Weeks Later
Eönwë lead the Host of the Valar to Alqualondë, and when they arrived they boarded their ships. Eönwë knew a gentle wind will carry the gleaming white hallowed swan ships across the sea to the outer lands.
"You've been quiet since we left," Olórin said when he walked up to Eönwë who was staring out at sea on the deck of their ship.
"I've been thinking about the Atani and the other humans," he replied.
"Oh," Olórin said with a raised eyebrow.
"The Atani have left Arda, the home we made for them," Eönwë replied.
"We made Arda for the Eldar, and the Atani and most of the Eldar live in Aman and the Atani live somewhere else," Olórin told him.
"They're never return," Eönwë turned and said to his friend.
"No they won't," Olórin replied hearing the sadness in his brothers voice. "Once all the Eldar return to Valinor, there'll be no one left on Arda. This wasn't our brother's doing Eönwë, but something else."
"No one foresaw any of this," Eönwë said.
"But Atar did and knew the other humans would come and save their own," Olórin replied.
"They're very different from the Atani," Eönwë said.
"They're the same people Eönwë," Olórin replied. "They were once like the Atani, but as the ages passed they learned and grew and the Atani will do the same, as all children do."
"I was sadden to hear the other humans don't love the Ainur," Eönwë said.
"We all were, but we understand the reasons why and the only Ainu they love is Michael, and he loves them very much."
"We also love them," Eönwë said.
"Not the way Michael does and Atar and knows that – that's why he put him in charge of them," Olórin replied, and knew his brother was deeply hurt by what he just said. He also knew the Valar and the other Maiar were also deeply hurt and sadden when they found out that many Ainur in the Timeless Halls did not love humans, but in fact hated them.
xxx
Somewhere in South Arda – Colonel Salar's Command Post
"The others from across the sea have boarded their ships and are on their way," Salar said to Corrina and Daniels during dinner that evening.
"I see they don't understand subtlety," Daniels said.
"No they don't," Corrina said after taking a sip of his Galaran Brandy. "The enemy can see them coming a mile away."
"Their enemy can't see anything because he's hiding in his bunker," Daniels replied. "That dumb son-of-a-bitch didn't even know we were there, or that we took all his human servants and some of his orcs."
"He probably didn't care, Salar said.
"I wonder why they lost?" Corrina asked with a raised eyebrow. "He doesn't have a very good army."
"Not by our standards he doesn't," Salar answered, and she and Daniels answered his question.
"What about the ones that are coming?" Corrina asked.
"They've been training for a few years and they're going to have angels backing them up," Salar answered. "But they're going to have big problems in the North."
"I know," Daniels said laughing.
Corrina also laughed and agreed with Daniels.
"When will you be leaving," Daniels turned and asked Corrina.
"In two days," he answered.
xxx
Isle of Balar
"Why have the Edain left the Isle?" Gil-galad asked Círdan during lunch with Celeborn and Galadriel. He saw the ship depart for Arvernien with the Edain aboard.
"They leaving Arda," Círdan answered. "Durin told me there's no hope for men on Arda and the Valar never cared for them. He also told me the woman in his dreams told him they'll never be safe on Arda and that the others will come to take them to their new home."
"Who are the others?" Celeborn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I asked the same question and he told me the woman in his dreams told him he'll recognize the others when he sees them," Círdan answered.
"Does Durin know who the woman in his dream is?" Galadriel asked.
"No," Círdan answered.
"Could it be one of the Valar?" Gil-galad asked.
"No," Galadriel answered.
"Who is she?" Celeborn asked.
"He doesn't know, but from what he told me she seems to know a great deal," Círdan answered.
Galadriel was intrigued and wanted to know who the woman is and how she knows what she knows.
xxx
"How many Atani have left the Isle?" Ulmo asked Círdan.
"All of them," he answered.
"Did any of them mention the white light?" Ulmo asked.
"No, Lord Ulmo," Círdan answered, still wondering what the white light is and why it's important.
xxx
Arvernien - South Beleriand
When the ship arrived the Atani from Isle of Balar set up an encampment to wait for the others.
Anwen told her brother that the woman in her dream told her the others will arrive soon to take them to their new home.
A few days later the Atani saw many strangers ride into Arvernien with strange things strapped across their backs, and thought their clothes were strange. They also saw many wagons behind the riders and wondered where they came from.
The men and women on horseback looked around at the squalor the humans were living and it broke their hearts, and they knew a refugee camp when they saw one.
Anwen ran up to them and her instincts told her they were the others. "I'm Anwen," she said smiling up at the brown hair and brown eyed man sitting on his horse.
"I'm Lieutenant Colonel Michael Corrina," he replied returning the smile looking down at her.
"You're the others we've been waiting for and you're mortals like we are," Anwen stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes we are," he answered.
"When do we leave?" she asked.
"Whenever you're ready," he answered.
"I'm ready," she said smiling up at him.
"Good," he replied.
"Now we understand what the woman in our dream meant we she told me I'll recognize the others," Durin said to those around him. "They're mortals like we are."
Murmurs among the Atani.
"What are the wagons for?" Durin asked after he walked up and introduced himself to the Colonel.
"They're for the ones who don't have horses and the other wagons have food, water and blankets, and we're going to provide everything you need on your journey," Corrina answered.
"Thank you," a toothless old woman said smiling.
"You're welcome ma'am," Corrina replied returning the smile. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."
The Atani smiled and went to their shacks to collect their few belongings; and the women and girls helped a few of the soldiers prepare their meal, and they ate under the setting sun. Many had seconds and a few had a third meal.
During dinner the Colonel ate and spoke with the elders.
xxx
"What's this Anwen?" Corrina asked the next morning, looking at the parchments on her lap.
"My drawings," she answered.
"Drawings of what?" he asked.
"Different things," she answered sitting in one of the wagons with her brother and others. "This is a building; this is a well; this is a waterway, and this drawing is my new house."
Corrina looked at her drawings and knew instantly Anwen is an engineering genius and also a builder and studied her other drawings very carefully.
Before some of the Edain departed they said good-bye to some of the elves. Then the Colonel gave the order to move out.
"We're never see them again," one ellon said in a sad voice, standing next to his friend. Remembering that the elves and Edain fought side-by-side for many years.
"I know," his friend replied.
The elves in Arvernien knew the Atani were leaving Arda, but didn't know how, until the Edain told them they were leaving through a strange thing.
xxx
Colonel Salar's Command Post
"The Armada from across the sea should be arriving soon," Sam, the avatar for the Command Post said when he walked into the Command tent.
"Thank you Sam," Salar replied. "When will Colonel Corrina arrive?"
He told her.
"Dismissed," Salar said and sent her and Colonel Corrina's report to General Thos.
xxx
The Falas – One Week Later
Before the Host of the Valar arrived on Arda, Eönwë's trumpet filled the sky issuing a challenge to Melkor. When they finally arrived in the outer lands Eönwë realized many of the docks were in disrepair and the Host had to dock their ships one at a time at the only few docks that were serviceable. He then sent Prince Ingwion and his company to secure Eglarest; and they killed all the remaining orcs in that area.
"I thought this place would be under the shadow, but it's very beautiful," one of Eönwë's Vanyar guards said to his companion, as they rode behind their Commander.
"So did I," his companion replied looking around.
Olórin was sent to scout out the area were Eönwë wanted to set up his encampment and did so unclad.
xxx
Eglarest
Eönwë and his Maiar Captains, along with King Finarfin and Prince Ingwion entered a room which had a long table and chairs. Eönwë sat at the head of the table and his Vanyar guards surrounded the building. Some of Eönwë's Maiar Captains were sent by Lord's Oromë, Tulkas and Lady Nienna.
"Lord Olórin has something to tell us," Eönwë told them.
"Lord Eönwë sent me to scout the area where he wants to set up his encampment. When I arrived I found a large tent city with many mortals and other children of Eru Ilúvatar. I also saw something none of us have seen before and it's well guarded. Those children are soldiers and part of a vast army and their Commander is a female, and we can't make them leave," Olórin told them, and saw King Finarfin and Prince Ingwion both raised an elegant eyebrow. "I saw the look in her eyes King Finarfin and Prince Ingwion, and those eyes didn't miss anything and they're hard and cold, unlike yours. Her demeanor also bespoke Leader and she had many guards surrounding her and everyone stood when she entered the tent and took her seat at the head of the table. They're also other female soldiers there who're part of the same army and their eyes were the same as hers, and they have the same hardness as their male counterparts."
"How did females became that way?" King Finarfin asked in a sad voice.
"They're soldiers and they've fought many battles, and their laws and customs are very different from the Eldar's," Olórin answered.
"Their Supreme Commander is also a female," Eönwë told them.
"How did she become their Supreme Commander?" Prince Ingwion asked surprised.
"She earned it, but we don't know how," Eönwë answered.
"What about their Kings and Queens?" King Finarfin asked.
Eönwë explained their System of Government.
"The people rule?" Prince Ingwion asked wide-eyed.
"Yes they do, and always have," Eönwë answered.
"They are very different from the Eldar," King Finarfin said, with a nod of his head.
xxx
"What are guns Lord Olórin?" Prince Ingwion asked.
"Weapons of war," he answered, and told the elves why they no longer use swords.
"We thought the Eldar and Atani were the only children of Eru Ilúvatar," King Finarfin said.
"The Valar found out recently that Eru Ilúvatar has many other children," Eönwë replied.
"What do the other children look like?" Prince Ingwion asked.
"You're find out when you see them," Olórin answered. "But a few of Eru Ilúvatar's other children look and sound like the Eldar."
"They do?" the King and Prince asked.
"Yes, but they have short hair, including the females," Olórin answered.
The King and Prince were taken aback.
"Why are Eru Ilúvatar's other children on Arda and how did they get here?" King Finarfin asked.
"The Valar don't know how they arrived and found out recently that most of the Atani were killed over 100 sun years ago and recently. The other children of Eru Ilúvatar are here to take the remaining Atani to their new home," Eönwë answered.
"All the Atani are dead?" Prince Ingwion asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The majority of them are, and only a few remain on Arda," Eönwë answered.
"How were they killed Lord Eönwë?" King Finarfin asked still stunned, but didn't show it.
"By the white light, and the Valar don't know what the white light is, but they do," Eönwë answered.
"Where any elves killed by the white light Lord Eönwë?" Prince Ingwion asked.
"No," he answered, and saw the look of relief on their faces. Eönwë told the King and Prince about the other mortals and they were surprised to learn that Eru Ilúvatar awoke mortals somewhere else long before He awoke the Eldar on Arda. When they asked why, Eönwë told them it concerned their Melkor, whom they call the devil, and everyone at the table saw the King and Prince nod their heads in understanding.
xxx
Atlantis
Colonel Robert Santana is 43 years old and graduated from the War College on Lantis 22 years ago. He commanded a battalion size unit (300-1200 soldiers) on another world in the Pegasus galaxy as a Lieutenant Colonel. When he returned to Lantis after the war, he went back to the War College for postgraduate professional military education. After he completed his studies he was reassigned to Army Operations on Lantis – and three years later he was promoted to Colonel.
Colonel Santana never married, but has a son – whom he hasn't seen in years. A few months after he returned from the war, he went to his lover's apartment and was told she'd moved out months ago. When he returned home, he put the engagement ring away and wept. While on leave he tried to find her, but had no success; and realized he'd never met any of her family who could help him find her and his son. As the years went by, the searing pain turned into a dull ache.
When Robert Santana awoke the morning he was to report to General Dima's office, he thought about his former lover and son. The Colonel knew the General had looked over his record, but for the life of him he couldn't fathom why General Dima wanted to see him; but he knew he'll find out when he meets the General.
xxx
General Dima's Office
"At ease Colonel, and have a seat," Dima said when he was shown into his office.
"Thank you sir," he replied and sat next to a General he didn't know.
"This is General Boro, the Chief of Military Intelligence in the Pegasus galaxy," Dima said to Santana.
"Sir," Santana said looking at the Three Star General.
"Colonel," Boro replied studying the Colonel.
"This meeting and everything we're about to tell you is highly classified," Dima told Santana.
"I understand sir," Santana said.
"...and General Brennan will arrive in Atlantis in a few days aboard Thor's Hammer," Dima told Boro and Santana.
"Is she going to greet their Commander?" Boro asked.
"Yes, because he's her counterpart, and we're also going with her," Dima answered. "Dismissed."
General Boro and Colonel Santana left General Dima's office.
Colonel Santana was still reeling and thought the two General's were crazy, until he saw a few of the recordings and after they explained everything to him; and knows why he's going with them.