CHAPTER 84
EPISODE……………………FLESH AND BLOOD
The Ori ships flew off slowly and soon left their field of view.
"Well, they are gone." Ford muttered as he decloaked the ship from behind the gate. "Hmm, what's this?"
"What's what?" she asked as he picked up a folded up note that was near the front window on the console. He opened it and rose an eyebrow while reading.
"I know what you are thinking and so will anyone else who ask later. It wouldn't have mattered if you had dozens of ships. The Ori ships have a lot of power and with the Ori helping with advanced technological engineering, having all those extra ships would only have been a more massive loss of life. Wish I could have told you all that trying was pointless, but I can only interfere with history so much, which you already know why. On that note, good luck with everything to come."
"A note to you, from you?"
"Yep." he said pocketing it. "Kinda figured it was pointless to try and fight, but……let's start scanning for any survivors and sending out calls."
"We don't have much room, you do know that? And how would we get them on here anyway?"
"I hate to say it, but I doubt there is any survivors anyway." he said sadly. "I couldn't see the Odyssey anymore and last we heard, her engines were shot, so…."
"Better to try than not at all." she said sadly. "Wait a minute, this is a time machine. Or was and I bet still can be. We can just go home and go back telling ourselves about what happened."
"Nice idea, but no." he said sitting up front with a small grunt of pain.
"What? Why?" she asked sitting across from him. She noticed he was grabbing his chest but didn't think much about it.
"One, we'd create a paradox, in a sense. We'd make it so the future would be changed and when we returned to the future, we'd not notice the difference like everyone else, or maybe we would and it would just take a moment to kick in. Point two, we can't go even if we wanted too."
"Why?"
"Because this is an Ancient ship."
"So?" she asked.
"You didn't let me finished. And also because I am an Ancient."
"Same question, so?"
"You're not connecting the dots very well are you?" he asked turning to her and leaning his arms on his knees.
"We just saw our whole fleet of ships decimated and nothing we did made even a dent." she said waving a hand at the window angrily. "So you'll have to forgive me if I'm not thinking logically."
He smiled lightly as he put both hands on her knees, rubbing them gently while she kept that angry look that was demanding an explanation. She continued to keep her arms crossed despite wanting to push his hands away.
"I took the time drive out to keep away the temptation. As much as I would like to go back and check out things and change some things." he said then took a deep breath. "I was told that I could keep this and I could use the time capability, but the Ancients have me on a short leash. I'm allowed to do only so much. I can curse them out all I want. Such as saying something like, you're all a bunch of fucking ungrateful cowards with a holier than thou attitude! If it wasn't for everyone else here, I'd help the Ori come wipe you out! You're as bad as the Q Continuum!"
Sam would have sat back farther in surprise if she could. She even glanced around expecting some form of retribution to show up as he yelled while looking up. He muttered something else about them being cowards before looking at her again.
"I exclude my parents of course. I know they'd try to do something, but if they tried, they'd be stopped and well. Anyway, they told me if I tried to do something with this they didn't like, they'd either take it away or destroy it or stop me in some way, shape or form. If I suddenly felt like trying something, such as the idea you presented, which I agree with, they would give me a small sign to signify no. I'm guessing they think that stopping my heart for a second is their funny way of saying no."
"That's why you were holding your chest." she said concerned.
"Yes. Now, I'm not telling you this to say give it a try, but if we went back and the rest of SG-1 was here, including Jack. I'd have to be off the ship. And if you all decided to go back and tell us about the outcome that happened here, you probably wouldn't be stopped. Here's what would be the most likely outcome. You go back, say….a week before this. By then we'd be here before the gate was completed and be able to stop the gate from being finished. Hell, let's say we….ahem, you all go back a month or more and tell us, we come here and do something to the gate or evacuate the people that were on the planet. Then once the planet is gone, we stop the gate before it gets completed. They are just going to go make another gate somewhere else. Follow me?"
"You're saying that they'd just find another planet to destroy again. And if we went back again telling ourselves the new planet, they'd just try to find another one after that failure. And it would just be a ongoing process. Eventually we'd end up evacuating most if not all the planets out there."
"That, but it could become worse. Such as they decide to make a Supergate much farther away than we have ever traveled. By ship anyway. Say a point somewhere between here and Atlantis. Some place that would take us months if not longer to get to. By then they could have a bigger fleet and a bunch of planets with mass industries and such. And they might even find Atlantis. We might save lives, but the outcome could possibly be worse. Here, we unfortunately lost a lot of people we have yet to identify, but we might still have a chance to stop them, some how, some way. We've already seen it wouldn't have mattered if we had a massive fleet of Daedalus class ships. Hell, the note alone told us that. We just don't have the power needed to destroy those ships right now."
"If things get too worse, we can talk about this idea then. It won't be the same without you coming with, but….."
"I just hope it doesn't get that bad."
Onboard one of the Ori ships, Vala was currently in labor. A few women in what could have been considered American Colonial clothes were nearby telling her to push. She had the baby without any trouble and healed up rather quickly after the baby left her body. Her husband got up from next to her as the baby was taken and wrapped in a blanket. When they started to take the baby away as it cried, she began to complain and ask for the baby so she could hold it. The women gave her a look and headed for the door. A Prior walked in speaking in a different tongue that Vala didn't understand. Everyone in the room bowed and after he was done speaking, the women left with the baby, though her husband and the Prior didn't leave. The Prior spoke of the fact she was the Orici and that through her this galaxy would be saved from the evil and unbelievers. Vala just stared at her husband that smiled in amazement at it all as he stayed slightly bowed.
These people are totally nuts! she thought as the ships entered hyperspace.
For the last couple of hours they had been trying to raise anyone on the com as he flew through the debris field.
"I don't think anyone made it." she muttered sadly as she wiped a tear away. "Damn it."
"I wish I could have done something to stop this Sam." he said pulling her into an embrace after turning in his chair. "I admit I'm rather well gifted, but I'm not perfect."
"I know. All this knowledge of time travel and we can't even use it." she said with a pissed tone. "Well, we can use it, but we can't have you help."
"Sucks for damn sure. I say we try another hour and if we find nothing then, we head out and try to get home." he said holding her face as he placed his forehead against hers.
"We're still getting a few life signs. I don't understand. We get the readings, but we can't pick them out." she said waving at the panels. "I can't even make a pinpointed position to look."
"Must be all the interference from all the weapons fire, explosions and whatever is being vented from these ships. Though it could be system malfunctions too that is causing the interference. I'm was still working on this thing after I took the Time Drive out. I'm getting multiple distress beacons too, but no one is talking." he said as they passed by what was left of the ship the Asguard had given them. "Damn, Jack is really going to be pissed."
"She did fight pretty well for awhile." Carter said as they passed by. She looked away from the spinning pieces and back at the laptop. "Unfortunately, even if we did find anyone, we couldn't be much help. No transporter systems. I know it's dangerous, but I'm going to try boosting the signal. Hopefully the Ori aren't in the area or if we are lucky, they aren't monitoring any signals. Maybe the interference is making it difficult for any communications to get through. This is Lieutenant Colonel Carter, is anyone out there, please respond."
"I'm getting a familiar power reading." he said frowning at the read out.
"Where at?"
"Over there." he said pointing at the holo-projection on the screen. "That reading really looks familiar."
"It is. I think it's the power reading from a F-302."
"Let's check it out."
Passing by several burning and spinning hulks, he came up upon it from behind.
"It's one of ours. Wonder who's inside?" he said slowly bring the shuttle around to the cockpit.
"I'm getting a life reading." she said looking at the board.
"Sam, take a look. He's sleeping on the job." Ford said in a slightly choked voice and a small chuckle. "I don't know how, but he got his ass out of the fire again."
"What?" she said seeing tears in his eyes. She looked out seeing Mitchell unconscious in the cockpit. "Mitchell, this is Colonel Carter, wake up."
She wiped her eyes as Ford did as well. She tried a few more times, but he didn't wake up.
"I gotta idea. Though I don't know if it will work." he said slowly bring the window up near the cockpit.
"Careful Ford. You don't want to crack the cockpit window. Or ours."
"I think we are about an inch away now." he said going into the back and opening one of the panels. "No, wrong one. Is it this one? Ah, here it is. AH! Damn that's bright."
"Why do people do that?" she asked as he came back forward with a very bright flashlight.
"I have asked myself that question and even thought people who do that are stupid. Then I realized I was in that category. Okay Colonel, wake up." he said flashing the light into his face.
Though it was outer space, the light was coming across into Mitchell's face rather brightly. Bright enough it would wake any normal person.
"He might not be able to wake up, or he could be….." she was slowly saying.
"No, he's not dead. His shirt is moving as he breathes." he said hitting the com button. "Colonel! Wake up!"
"He must have hit his head."
"I see the blood too, but it doesn't look like he's still bleeding. Barely anything there." he said seeing the small blood trail that went down the front of Mitchell's face. "Colonel Mitchell, is you don't wake up now, you're fired. You will never fly again and you certainly will never see the Stargate much less go….."
Mitchell stirred and raised a hand to cover his eyes from some blinding light.
"Oh great, I died." he said still squinting from the bright light. A quick glance and noticing his head hurt reminded him of where he was. "Or I'm way too close to a star or something."
"Well, you aren't dead."
"What the?"
The light went away and he looked through the window to see Ford and Carter just outside. And he screamed as he instinctively tried to back up. His movement and banging caused jolted the craft making the systems to come back online.
"Sorry about that Mitchell." Ford said barely containing a laugh.
"Very funny General. Can we pretend I didn't do that?"
"Do what?"
Mitchell smiled lightly as he felt his head for a moment and then started a system check.
"You okay Cam?" she asked.
"A little headache Sam. Glad to see you two made it. You'll have to tell me how you got a Puddle Jumper sometime."
"It's the time ship." Ford said. "Just no time drive."
"Hmm. I thought Area 51 had it."
"No." Ford said. "The N.I.D. or the Trust would get hold of it that way. They tried before."
"We both saw the Korolev explode." she said. "How'd you get out in time?"
"Yeah, the ship was blowing up around me and I somehow managed to get into this thing and get out, but the explosion must have caught up with me as I tried to get away."
"Daniel?" Ford asked.
"Still onboard, I think." he said slowly.
"Knowing him, he got away somehow, or ascended." Ford muttered. "I don't think he's dead. Somehow, I think Daniel will out live everyone."
"Yeah, I'd have to agree." Mitchell said as he banged a panel. "Where's the Ori ships?"
"They left a few hours ago." Ford said.
"About four actually." she said.
"And it took you
two that long to find me?"
"Lots of interference from
all the weapons fire and destroyed ships have made the scanning and
communications systems…."
"Not run as well as we wished. Besides that, I have been keeping the power in this thing at a low level, in case the Ori might be able to detect us. Besides, flying through this soup is rather hard." Ford said. "What about that thing?"
"Well, she seems flight capable still. A little banged up."
Both their radios systems kicked on with static.
"This is Colonel Emerson in the Odyssey, is that your voice we heard Colonel Mitchell?"
"Yes sir. I'm still here and kicking. Well, still here."
"What about Colonel and General Carter?"
"We're right here Colonel. We, um, parked next to Mitchell."
"Parked General?"
"We're in…." she began to say when he stopped her.
"We don't know who's listening."
"Everything okay General?"
"Everything is just fine. You'll see why we said parked when you come into view."
"Where have you been?" Carter asked.
"We lost all communications during the battle. Once we got our sublight engines back online, we tailed the Ori ships using our long range sensors from a distance. They jumped into hyperspace about an hour ago. We're still trying to get our basic operating systems back online."
"Hey, I see them. There's she is."
"You can see that?" she asked.
"Well, it is the only ship moving around with a large power reading." Ford said pointing at the screen.
"Requesting permission to return to the ship sir?" Mitchell asked.
"Granted Colonel." Emerson said.
"The left docking bay is out of commission." the Major next to him reported.
"Got it." Mitchell said powering up as Ford backed the shuttle off.
"We're getting a hail sir." the Major said.
"On screen." he said walking to the screen on the left of the bridge.
"Colonel Emerson." Teal'c stated as he stood behind a console on one of the Hal'taks.
"Teal'c, it's good to see you."
"You as well. This vessel has sustained some substantial damage. It has taken some time to get primary systems back online."
"We've been receiving several distress beacons from several ships. We've ringed aboard who we could, but our life support systems are already overtaxed. Any chance you might be able to take on a few people?"
Teal'c never got a chance to respond back as the bridge was attacked. Zat blast were fired multiple times causing sparks and other electrical damage. Teal'c turned firing back with the zat he had as Colonel Emerson watched the scene and then the screen suddenly shut off.
"I'll take that as a no." he said turned to the Major. "How's the shields and hyperdrive coming?"
"We've got twenty percent power for shields." the Major said bringing up the info on his screen. "Vasir's concentrating on the Asguard beaming technology. Hyperdrive is still offline."
He shook his head and looked away a moment.
"How about some good news, anything?" Emerson asked.
"Mitchell, you go ahead first. We'll come in next." Ford said.
"Where did you two go?"
"I cloaked the ship, just in case. We looked around staying cloaked before we found you."
"Oh, okay. See you two inside." he said still continuing his approach.
"Why are we staying cloaked?"
"Just in case. Take a look at that Hal'tak. Looks somewhat functional despite the fact it got it's chassis kicked."
"Chassis?"
"It's not human or any life form for that matter. It doesn't have an ass and certainly can't get the crap kicked out of it."
"Way too elaborate on the description there, but I get it. Probably flight capable, doubtful on the hyperdrive. I serious doubt it has any weapons that function anymore." she said as they entered the ship, still cloaked.
"Colonel Mitchell has landed safely. And so has both Carter's."
"What did they do, hitch a ride on the wings?"
"Um, no sir. They came in a Puddle Jumper. It uncloaked a few seconds ago." the Major said confused.
"Hmm. I'll have to ask the General about that. Keep the channel open and keep trying to reach Teal'c." he said leaving the bridge.
Natan and four of his men came onto the smoking bridge to find Teal'c laying on the floor half conscious. He was injured but nothing life threatening yet.
"Take him to a cell." Natan ordered.
Two men picked him up by the arms and carried him away.
"General, Colonels."
"Emerson." Ford said as Emerson walked up.
"Sir." the other two said.
"Glad to see you're all okay. Can I ask where that came from?"
"It was cloaked and I sent it out to hide behind the Supergate before the battle started. Or was it during? Whatever the case, it was a backup plan, of sorts." he said muttering out the last part.
"Something about the future and your counterpart?"
"Word gets around quickly that I talk to him every so often huh."
"Something like that General. Let's head to the bridge. Colonel, do you need medical attention?" he asked as they took off.
"No, just a slight headache." Mitchell said shaking his head. "Probably from that bright light."
"Light?" Emerson asked.
"My fault." Ford said as he and Carter explained what they did to wake Mitchell up. They did leave out the part how Mitchell got scared.
"What's so funny about all that?"
"Nothing." the two said with small smiles as they looked at Mitchell. Mitchell began to say something to them, but instead turned to Emerson.
"Any of the crew from the Korolev make it aboard before the ship was destroyed?"
"Only a half dozen. Doctor Jackson wasn't among them. We've located the flight recorder and trying to retrieve it now."
"Transporters functional?" Ford asked.
"No. Vasir's working on it."
"I heard from one of the techs that Teal'c called."
"Yes, he's still alive. Or was last time I talked to him." he said giving them a quick report of what happened.
"Damn." Ford muttered as the bridge asked for Colonel Emerson.
"What is it Major?" Emerson asked from his com link.
"We've re-established contact with the Lucian Alliance ship. They are asking to speak with you."
"We're on our way."
"Does Earth know about our current situation?" Mitchell asked.
"Our only long range array that wasn't damaged was sensors. Subspace communication is damaged beyond repair. Still, they got to know something's happened. We've missed our scheduled check in."
"So I guess there's no help." Mitchell muttered.
"Not anything they could do even if we had a Stargate on board. Other than getting supplies and getting injured people off and such, in some ways it wouldn't matter if I could snap my fingers and this ship was back at full power and no damage. Those Ori ships would still be able to stop this ship like….."
"A cockroach in a corner in Texas ?" Mitchell asked.
"Good analogy Colonel. Bad news is we are that cockroach." Emerson said. "We've got further problems. The life support systems are overtaxed, we may last a day, or less. That's if we don't take on any more survivors."
They walked onto the bridge and Emerson walked over to the screen.
"Hang on Major." Ford said walking toward the back of the bridge to one of the other screens.
"What's up General?" Emerson asked.
"Whoever is on that ship probably doesn't know that me and Carter are on board. I'd like to keep it that way for now. We did fly back into the ship cloaked and flew around out there cloaked, that was until we found Mitchell." he said pushing a few buttons as Carter walked up. "Go ahead Colonel."
"This is Colonel Emerson of the Odyssey." he said while Mitchell stood behind him.
Netan and one of his men stood behind the Hal'tak console on the screen.
"I am Netan, leader of the Lucian Alliance, you will surrender control of your ship to me immediately."
"Yeah right." Ford muttered.
"You want me to take this one sir?" Mitchell asked.
"Go ahead."
He walked in front of Emerson and crossed his arms.
"Hey there. Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell here. Look, we were all in this fight together, weren't we? This is not how allies are suppose to treat each other. Granted, we got our butt's kicked, but we need to work together if we are going to survive."
"Our sensors detect your shields are at minimum. If you do not capitulate immediately, we will open fire."
"You'd be destroying the only other ship out here with life support capability." Emerson said stepping up closer.
"You dragged us into this battle knowing it would deplete our forces!" Natan stated forcefully with anger. "I suspect intentionally."
"That's not true. We all lost. Badly." Mitchell said. "Why don't you tell us your situation? Maybe we can work something out."
"The situation is, you will surrender or be destroyed."
He turned to quietly talk to Emerson.
"What sort of ordnance do we have on board?"
"Not much. But he's right about our shields. We're sitting ducks."
Mitchell looked to his right to see Ford waving his hand. Once he had Mitchell's attention, he made a few hands signals.
"What?" he said quietly.
Ford dropped his head and then looked up. He pointed at his watch and then made a signal for water followed by making a jumping motion with his hands a few times. Mitchell nodded as he realized what Ford meant and then understood why he was showing two fingers.
"What was he saying?" Emerson asked.
"We have two of those Ancient missiles in that Puddle Jumper in the bay. From what I remember, it only takes one to take a Hal'tak out."
"We have a advantage then."
The screen shut off as Netan hung up on them. Ford walked back over and looked out the window.
"Any comments Colonel, General?" Emerson asked.
"Ships been pretty trashed. I'd lay odds that this ship is functioning a lot better than they are." Ford said.
"From the damage we observed as we passed by, there's some pretty big holes in the super structure. In some ways, I'm surprised they have life support. I agree with Ford though. I also believe that from the damage we saw, they probably have no weapons, at least none functioning." she said.
"I think they are waiting for something." Ford muttered.
"You mean like more backup?" Mitchell asked.
"Vala told us the Lucian Alliance has a lot of ships. They brought, what was it, three maybe four? More than likely, they sent a distress signal toward the end of the battle and are waiting for help."
"Help? Don't you mean a rescue?" Emerson asked.
"The Alliance is a bunch of pirates, pretty much. With all the destruction here and floating ships, it's a perfect place to find parts needed for salvage. Who knows, maybe with everything floating here, scavenge enough parts and viola, you may have a fully functioning ship. And maybe better seeing as there was one of ours out there and an Asguard vessel."
"They haven't fired yet." Mitchell said. "I don't think they can."
"Major, back us off. Let's see what they do." Emerson said.
The Ori ships continued through hyperspace. Vala had to stay in the bedroom because she wasn't allowed to roam around, at least not yet anyway. Even though she had healed up soon after giving birth, she did get tired and fell asleep for awhile. She was in the bed curled up under the blankets looking out the window watching the blue effect of the ship in hyperspace when her husband came in. She argued about needing to see her daughter and the fact she was her mother. He told her that the Prior had agreed to allow her to see her, and then the door opened. He instantly got down on the ground bowing as one of the nurses came in with a little girl, about 4 years old. And bright greens eyes that had a piercing look to them.
"Hello mother."
She really didn't know what to think as she looked between what was claiming to be her daughter and her husband. Her daughter came over slowly.
"Well, I've heard of children growing up fast, but this is ridicules."
"You do not believe."
"I don't know what you mean." she said a little to quickly.
"You cannot hide your feelings from me. It's all right. I will help you find the true path. Hallowed are the Ori."
Landry was at the bottom of the gate ramp as the Iris opened and let Master Bra'tak in.
"Master Bra'tak. Have you heard any news?"
"The battle did not go well." he stated shaking his head as he walked off the ramp.
"We have lost contact with both Earth ships."
"We would be lucky it either survived. Word is four Ori ships came through the Chappi'ko."
"The Supergate?" Landry asked and Bra'tak nodded.
"They lay waste to all that stood in their path and then moved on."
"We need to get at least one ship out to that location and see if anything remains. If anyone survived."
"Agreed."
"Walter, dial it up."
"We can only hope that SG-1 has somehow made it through this." Bra'tak stated.
"Well, they didn't fire." Mitchell muttered after they back off a couple hundred kilometers.
"I don't think they could if they wanted to try shooting us with staff weapons from the windows." Ford said as he turned away from the window. "Sam.."
"You want me to go help with the hyperdrive while you go rescue Teal'c."
"How do you two do that? It is really creepy. Do you two have some sort of…." Mitchell said rolling his hand as he thought.
"Telepathic link? Is that the word you want?" Ford asked.
"Yeah."
The two looked at each other and then back at Mitchell.
"No." they said together.
"We've worked together so long…."
"And done so much together…." she said.
"That is has become second nature." they said together.
"So damn creepy. Okay, you got a plan to save Teal'c."
"Yep." he said with a smile.
"Don't get killed. Scratch that, don't get captured and get us killed." she said walking off the bridge. "I expected you back and down there helping me with repairs when you get back."
"Yes sweety." he said sweetly as a few people looked at him. "What?"
"She has you by a short leash General." Emerson said. "I'm speaking from experience of course."
"It's not a leash." he said with a smile as he looked back out the window thinking. "It's called trust."
Over on the Hal'tak, Netan was trying to figure out what he planned to do next. Mostly, he had to wait and that wasn't something he liked doing. He was holding a pain stick as he walked down and opened the cell door.
"This is all your fault." Netan said as he entered the brig.
"I have already told you all I know about the Ori." Teal'c stated from where he was laying on the floor. "Our only hope in defeating their followers is by uniting our forces and working together. You have nothing to gain by torturing me."
"That, is where you are wrong." he said moving his mouth around into a evil like smile. "I, am very, very angry right now. And causing you a great deal of pain will make me feel better."
As Ford was getting ready to leave, Mitchell showed Sam some info.
"The rings were activated on the Korolev?"
"But not here." Mitchell said.
"Hmm. Did you tell Ford yet?"
"Yeah. He's willing to bet a million dollars that Daniel was in those rings."
"That high, he's probably right. I got to get back to this. Are you going with him to get Teal'c?" she said checking out the damaged crystals.
"No. He said he wouldn't mind it in some ways, but he's going to do a stealth approach and get Teal'c out that way. Using the cloaking field on the Puddle Jumper and such."
"Not a bad idea. They won't see him coming and if the ship is as damaged as it looks, he should be able to land in one of the damaged sections and get in that way. If there is atmosphere in a section that is."
"That's his plan. Emerson is going to have the ship stay just outside of the Asguard beaming range in case they think we are up to something, that way we can deny it. The General told him to do that."
"Nice idea. What about the rings?"
"We're just out of range there too."
"Remind him to be careful."
"Already have. Remember, I am in charge of this team."
"You didn't pull that on him did you?"
"Yep." he said crossing his arms with a smile.
"What did he say?"
"He laughed, patted me on the back and said he was glad that I was still doing my job. He plans on giving me a full report when he gets finished."
"At least he's in good spirits."
"Any, um, idea on when we'll have hyperdrive again?"
"Don't know yet? Still trying to figure out the extent of the damage."
"All right. Let us know when you know anything. I'm going back to the bridge to keep watch. We'll let you know when we know anything."
"Thanks."
During the battle, one of the female officers found out that when the Ori fired their super weapon, their shields had a brief opening, so Colonel Chekov ordered a bomb to be beamed over. It didn't work so Daniel suggested they use rings. To do so required they get closer and when they did get closer to try ringing a bomb over, it ended up being the ships destruction. But Daniel was in the rings as the ship was blowing up. And he beamed over to the Ori ship. He was hiding in the rings room as a patrol of Ori soldiers came walking by. After they passed by, he took a small look around.
Back at the SGC, the I.O.A. sent Woolsey to find out what was going on. They had been discussing things for the last couple of minutes. Landry was walking around the small office while Woolsey sat in the chair in front of the desk.
"You don't know where the enemy ships are or what they are capable of?"
"We know that they cut through both of our 304's, two Asguard ships and a fleet of Goa'uld motherships."
"They could be on their way here as we speak." he said with some fear in his voice.
"We sent the best we had to stop them." he said turning around from behind the desk.
"The I.O.A. is considering bringing the ZPM from Atlantis to power the Antarctic Earth defense system."
"Even if we had a ship, it would take a minimum of three weeks for a ship to get there and bring the ZPM back. And there is no guarantee that the Ancient weapons platform in Antarctica would be effective against the Ori ships with everything else we have thrown at them. As usual, the I.O.A. is wasting their breath and our time."
He sat down in the chair as he sighed.
"You know, General Carter was right. He mentioned something about the fact that if they failed out there, that the I.O.A. would be here breathing down our necks. And here you are."
"I'm going to assume that he had a message, and probably a vulgar one at that."
"Actually, no, not really. Mostly in was something he mentioned to them before. Stuff about how they were out there risking their lives to save this planet, doing the best they could and the fact that that stress was enough. The people here and out there don't need the I.O.A. coming down on them, telling them how badly they are doing and putting more pressure on them, because it only makes things worse in the long run. General Carter can't get a heart attack from the pressure but other people can and his people don't need that. He had one important message for you to tell them. Either bring encouraging news, or don't bother coming at all."
"I see. I'll inform them of that."
Vala was allowed out of the room finally and was wearing a dark blue or purple dress that had part of the material hanging down to the ground off both elbows. The back of the dress was dragging across the floor behind her, but only an inch or so worth. She passed several patrols and came across the room she was looking for. Two guards were standing by it. One pushed a button as she walked up and let her in. The door closed behind her and she went up to the other door and pressed the button. Inside was a rather large room with a circle window showing the ship was still in hyperspace. A few chairs and candles were around the room. A couple of stone pillars, about four feet high had flames coming out of them. Against the wall was a stand with the book of Origin open on it. A table with some food which one of the women that served her daughter, was currently filling a cup with water, or tea. She looked off to her left as her daughter spoke and came from the bedroom section.
"Hello mother, you need not be afraid."
"Are you actually going to stop growing at some point?" she asked as she walked up to see two other women helping working on the sleeves of the dress. Kinda looked like a peasant outfit in some ways, though in to damaged condition. "Well, because, at this rate, you're going to have a very short life."
She laughed lightly about it as she looked at her daughter that had to have grown up another year or two, maybe more.
"I'm glad you worry for me." she said after nodding at the two women to leave. "I am very hungry. Would you like something to eat?"
Vala smiled lightly as she watched her head for the table.
"Okay." she said going over and sitting across from her.
The woman at the table handed her a small bowl of what looked to be oatmeal.
"I really miss Ford's cooking." she muttered quietly while looking at the selection of bread, cheese and fruits. And whatever her daughter was eating. "I really wish there was coffee or at least chocolate."
"Mother?"
"Talking to myself."
"You have
questions."
"Do you have a name?"
"They call me Orici."
"Yeah. It's not much of a name is it?" she said with a small but not happy smile.
"What would you like to call me?"
"Well." she said leaning on the table with a smile. "I always thought that if I had a daughter, I would name her after my mother. She was a very, strong woman."
Her daughter tilted her head as she looked down thinking.
"Her name was Adria."
"I like that. Adira." she said looking at her mother who was still smiling. She smiled back then it went away quickly. "You think that by naming me, you will humanize me. Make me more like you. More sympathetic to your point of view."
Vala sat back sighing as she looked up and then back at her. Those last few sentences had much distain in them.
"How do you know
what you know?"
"The Ori wove their knowledge into my
genetic makeup. At least, as much as my human brain can hold. All
our knowledge is far too much for us to possibly comprehend. The
understanding of an infinite universe is obviously without
boundaries."
"So, you're not actually one of them?"
"I am the closets I can be in the form of flesh and blood."
"Is there no part of you that is from me?"
"Of course." she said with a small smile. "You are my mother."
"Exactly." she stated pointing, as she got up and walked around her, talking sternly. "And as your mother, you will listen to me young lady. There will be no leading of this ships and armies on a mass murdering crusade. Or else."
Adria just looked at her. Vala sighed as she knelt down on Adria's left.
"Oh well, it was worth a try."
"I know why you believe what you do. But the Ancients have lied to you, they are the ones who long ago tried to destroy the Ori for their beliefs. Not the other way around. Only the Ori share all they learn." she said as Vala got up sighing once again. "The Ancients have kept the basic truth of your existence from you."
Vala walked away with that look that showed she didn't care. Adria got up and began to follow her until Vala stopped on the other side of the table.
"They have hoarded their knowledge and have been dishonest with you about everything. Contrary to what they told you, the Ori do ascend their followers. And the Ancients are the ones sapping energy from the humans in this galaxy to empower themselves. That is why they created you, to give them the strength to destroy the Ori once and for all. That is why all those they cannot be made to see the true path must be destroyed. Or all will be lost to evil."
Vala slowly bent over to be at eye level with her.
"Are you saying this is a preemptive strike? Self defense?"
"Is matters not what you call it. The cause is just and the truth will see us through to victory."
"Do you really believe that? Or are you just hoping I will?"
Adria stepped back, and to Vala it looked it was in some fear. She continued to step back slowly.
"Why don't you believe me mother?"
"I don't know." she said standing back up.
"You choose to take the word of an Ancient over the word of your daughter?" she said insulted. "What have the Ancients done to earn your trust?"
"About as much as you. Though a particular person comes to mind that has helped me and many other's see the real truth." she said tapping her lip.
"In the end, only you can decide the fate of your soul."
Ford left the ship, cloaked and headed for the damaged Hal'tak. He located a section where he could get out and not explosively decompress. The shield shook the puddle jumper as he pushed through it. Hopefully no one inside would really notice the ships shield had flickered. He kept the ship cloaked, got out and cloaked himself. Before he went through one of the doors he noticed that space around the ship had lit up some.
"Colonel?"
"Two Hal'taks just dropped out of hyperspace General."
"Great. Be careful Colonel. I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Major, come about. Let's face them head on." Emerson stated as he took the center chair.
"The Lucian Alliance ship is haling us again." the Major said.
"We really could use a trump card right now." Mitchell muttered crossing his arms as he stood just to the right of the Colonels chair.
"Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded, or you will be destroyed." Netan said as he appeared on the screen. "I assure you Captain, I am quite capable of following through this time."
"Shields at 30 sir. They won't stand up to much." the Major said.
"Sam, we've got a big problem." Mitchell muttered into his com unit. "How's that hyperdrive coming?"
She got up from looking in a panel near the Asguard. The Asguard shook his head.
"Not well. Vasir's still working on the beam technology."
"Sensors indicate that the motherships are powering up weapons." the Major stated.
At a dead out run, considering that time was running out, Ford managed to get to what was left of the engine room. Though he had to take a few people out along the way. One moment one guy was just walking down the corridor and then his face was kissing the wall. A few others met the same fate. Two guys ended up, in a sense, kissing each other before the backs of their heads met the bulk heads. A few people were around trying to get things working again as he entered, but they didn't see him. A few pulled crystals here and there and the weapons were not going to be working, and neither was the engines.
"Nice collection. Hope they serve us well." he muttered quietly as he pocketed the crystals.
As he was leaving the room, he heard the commotion begin about missing parts. A quick check of his tracking device and he was off. Didn't take long to find it. He uncloak himself right in front of the guard as he lashed out. The guy never saw the roundhouse kick coming until it was too late.
"Teal'c, you don't look so good." Ford said working the panel quickly and forcing the door open.
"I have been better."
"Can you walk, run?"
"I can."
"Good. Let's go before they find out you're escaping."
"Indeed."
Vala left the room and decided to look around. It wasn't too long before she realized not many people wanted her there. So she went back to her room and as the door closed, something felt wrong and right at the same time. She turned around slowly to see a gun pointed at her, but that wasn't the interesting or surprising part. It was Daniel wearing a dark woolen cloak. He placed a finger over his lips.
"Long story." he said quietly as he glanced around.
"Are you alone?" she asked whispering.
"Yes. What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?" she asked looking at the gun. It was pointed more at her neck than anything else. She realized it was the dress after a moment. "Oh, I had a baby."
Daniel had a confused and strange look on his face as she turned away and talked at her normal voice level. He still didn't lower the gun though.
"You know, I never thought I would agree with my father, but now I'm starting to remember about how he used to go on and on about how you'd nurture them and raise them and how you teach them the best that you can, and then all they do is break your hearts." she said waving her hands around slightly as upset tone entered her voice. "I always assumed that his tainted experience was by me."
"What are you talking about?" he asked quickly after lowering the gun.
"Well, she started off all sweet and innocent to begin with." she said spinning around back to him. "And now she's hell bent on domination of the galaxy!"
"What? How old is she?" Daniel asked surprised and a little shocked.
"A few hours." she said as Daniel gave her a very strange and confused look. "The Ori used me to sneak one of their own over the border. This child is their way of cheating the ascended rule book. Well, they couldn't exactly encroach on our galaxy themselves without getting into a confrontation with the Ancients, right?"
Daniel nodded while he was thinking.
"So they created their own human representative, with their knowledge, to lead their armies."
"Sort of a uber-Prior, like a Doci?"
"Oh, but she's much worse than that!" she said shaking her hands in fury. "The Priors are just pawns. She knows the score. She's complicit with the Ori. You should have heard the propaganda that she was spewing at me earlier!"
"Wait, wait, wait. We're taking about a baby right?" he said waving a hand at her.
"Oh, she's been genetically altered. She's be fully grown figure head in a day or so." she stated forcefully and then spun around looking out the window. "If she takes after her mother, she's have a pretty good figure too."
"This is bad."
"You're telling me. Origin is about to become much more appealing to the males of this galaxy."
"Do you have any idea where we are going?"
"No. That she wouldn't tell me." she said turning back around. "She knows that I am not on her side. She's still hoping that I will see the light. But part of her can't help but feel tied to me. She wanted me to give her a name."
"And….."
"Adria. I told her it was my mothers…."
"Not?" Daniel said a little surprised.
"Stepmother. Witch of a mother." she said turning away again.
"The more I get to know you, the more I'm starting to understand."
"Huh?"
"Nothing." he said smiling sweetly.
"Do you know what's strange Daniel?"
"No." he said shaking his head.
"She has the knowledge of ascended beings, twisted though it may be, but I sense that there is a part of her that is just like any other kid that wants her mother's approval. So I'm hoping that I can use that somehow. Why else would she care what I think?"
"Right now we're a little more concerned about getting off this ship." he said as she turned away again. "There's only so long that I can hide."
"Hide!" she said quickly.
"Yeah."
"No hide!"
He turned to see shadows moving behind the door which had a green stained glass in the middle. As Vala started having fake coughs, he dove over the bed and hid just under it against the wall. The door opened and her husband walked in with his bag of armor.
"H-hi."
"What?" he asked walking past.
"Hi, long day?" she asked following quickly as he walked to the end of the bed and dropped his bag.
"Yes. I'm exhausted." he said rubbing his face. "I see you're up and around."
As he went to go to the side of the bed where Daniel was, she spun him around and pushed him onto the bed. He was very surprised as she crawled on top of him.
"Much better." she said as she began making out with him.
Three Hal'tak vessels came out of hyperdrive behind the Odyssey.
"Three more ships just arrived from hyperspace." the Major reported.
"They're flanking us." Mitchell muttered.
"I'm receiving a hail."
"On screen." Emerson ordered looking at the screen.
The screen changed to show a Hal'tak bridge, but Bra'tak was at the helm.
"Greetings."
"Bra'tak. Greetings back at you. Heads up, the Lucian Alliance is getting ready to open fire on us."
"I have already demanded that they stand down, or face us in battle."
"Oh, that doesn't look good." Ford said as he sat down at the controls and noticed three mother Hal'tak vessels come out of hyperspace behind the Odyssey.
"Five to one is not good odds." Teal'c stated as he held a gauze pad on his wound.
"Nope. And I only have two missiles or whatever the hell those things are called on this thing." he said grabbing the controls. "Despite what I am, I still don't know what those damn things are called. And Drone is some name given to them by someone else."
"We are cloaked still, are we not?"
"Yeah. Gives me an idea. Let's get out of here." he said as the ship powered up and flew out. "I'll heal that when we get back aboard."
"You have gotten much better with the healing device as of late General Carter."
"Had more practice lately. Especially with Kate still learning restraint with her sword."
"Was not Vala the
same way?"
"She was. Still is probably." he said
as the ship suddenly lurched out of control. "Whoa!"
"They are firing weapons." the Major reported.
"What the hell are they doing?" the Colonel exclaimed.
Mitchell moved closer to the window as the Colonel got out of his chair watching as the shields on the damaged Hal'tak withstood several blows before the shields gave and the ship blew up under the barrage.
"Carter, does Hermiod have a lock on Teal'c and the General?"
"He says yes, but that they are headed….."
"Sir, sensors are picking up a ship headed toward the landing bay, but their approach is too fast." the Major reported quickly.
"Have repair crews prepare for a crash landing! Alert the med bay!" Emerson ordered quickly.
"I'm going down." Mitchell said glancing out the window and seeing the other two Alliance ships jump to hyperspace.
"Glad to see they left." Emerson muttered.
"The Puddle Jumper is back on the ship sir." the Major said.
"Damage?"
"Can't tell at the moment sir. Repair crews are still working on the sensors in that area."
The back of the jumper opened and some smoke poured out with two people walking out coughing.
"Damn. Well, know the saying…" Ford muttered kneeling over coughing.
"I do not." Teal'c said coughing less as he stood back up and walked with Ford toward the door as it opened.
"Any landing you walk away from……"
"Is a good one." Mitchell said as he followed the medics in. "You two okay?"
"Yeah, little smoke. Couple of hours of work and she'll fly again."
"T?"
"I have been better." he said a little tiredly.
"Told me the same thing. Damn, gonna take awhile to get the smell of burnt circuits out of this thing."
"I believe it's called Frebreeze sir." one of the medics said looking at Teal'c.
"Now there's an idea….."
"Ford, Teal'c. You both okay?" Carter asked entering quickly.
"Yeah, just fine. We need to work on that later." he said jerking a thumb at Jumper.
"I am well Colonel Carter. Can you tell me what transpired?"
"Well, I'm guessing that either they noticed you escaping or just decided to let you die as the other two ships fired on the one you were on." Mitchell said.
"Oh. And here I was thinking it might have been my fault." Ford said as they walked into the ship.
"What'd you do, leave a bomb?" Carter asked.
Ford laughed lightly as he reached into his pockets.
"From one engineer slash scientist to another." he said handing over the crystals. "After what you told me, I'm not surprised it was so easy to get back to the Jumper. No one was on board to stop us."
"Some of these might help." Carter said looking at them.
"General, I believe you said you would be able to help me." Teal'c stated from the gurney he was being pushed on behind them.
"Yes I did. Let's go to the med bay T. We'll get you fixed up and then see about getting home."
"Indeed."
"I'll be working on the hyperdrive and expecting you soon."
"I'm, going to do something." Mitchell said as everyone left.
"After everything we've been through, after everything you've seen, how can you not believe the Ori?" he asked Vala as she lay on his chest. He was mostly leaning back against the end raised part on the bed..
"You think I don't?"
"The Orici is a truthseer."
"She is a child. Little girls always have issues with their mothers." Vala stated.
"You apparently haven't met Sally yet." Daniel muttered as he brought his gun up near his face, ready to shoot the guy in the back if he had to.
"Are you saying you do believe in the Ori?"
"Why are you here with me if you doubt my devotion?"
"Because I love you. Because I still hope that I can save your soul." he said looking down into her eyes.
They started to kiss when the ship dropped out of hyperspace and an alarm that sounded like a haunting wail went off. He pushed her out of the way and got up quickly.
"What? Where are you going?"
"I'm called to duty." he said leaving the room.
Daniel slowly got up keeping the gun pointed.
"And here I was hoping I could save him." she muttered and then turned around. "And who is this Sally?"
"Ford and Sam's daughter. Really great kid. Gets along with her mother very well."
The doctors allowed Teal'c to leave after Ford was able to use the Goa'uld healing device on him. It was a standard rule, made by him, that all Earth ships carry at least one. In case he was on board or a Tok'ra was. He helped a few other people before he left the ship and while the doctors were looking at Teal'c after he was done. They left and headed to the rings as Bra'tak came down the hallway with Mitchell and Sam.
"You didn't even wait for us to come to you."
Bra'tak gave him a strange look to which Teal'c smiled and nodded at his friend.
"It is good to see you old friend." Bra'tak stated as he patted Teal'c on the shoulder.
"As am I." he said doing the same.
"Find something to do Colonel?"
"Ah, you, um, heard that then?" he said with obvious discomfort.
"Yes. I'm guessing by that look on your face, you have bad news."
"Indeed." Bra'tak stated. "We have located the Ori ships."
"I can tell it isn't Earth." Ford said crossing his arms. "Which means it unfortunately has to be one of yours."
"Yeah, it's a Jaffa world alright." Mitchell muttered giving Teal'c a sad look.
"Chulak?" Teal'c asked quietly.
"We learned such information only moments ago. I am sorry Teal'c." Bra'tak said as he saw sadness enter his friends eyes.
Over Chulak, a few Hal'taks fought back and were destroyed almost instantly after the Ori ships came out of hyperspace. While the other's stayed in space, one headed down to the planet to land just outside the city. Ironically, it was the one Daniel was on. But seeing as the Orici was also on board, it wasn't all that surprising. Several dozen small ships, fighter like planes came out from under and went ahead to take over the city and prepare the way to allow the ship to land safely. Not that there was much threat to begin with even though the Jaffa sent out their gliders and ended up loosing the battle within mere moments.
"Any idea why they chose Chulak?" Emerson asked as they walked through the ship.
"Perhaps because it is where the first Goa'uld rebellion began." Bra'tak stated. "No matter, we must not abandon them."
"This ship is in no condition to even try fighting. A couple death gliders could possible take us on and win."
"I have to agree General. As soon as we get out hyperdrive back, we have to return to Earth for repairs. No choice. Life support is already too taxed as it is. Besides, someone's got to stick around and keep an eye on that Supergate." Emerson said.
"True." Ford said.
"We might not be able to stop the Ori ships from coming through, but at least we'll know when they do." Carter said.
"We will leave a small contingent in a cloaked ship behind." Bra'tak stated as he stopped at the ring room.
"Can you expect backup?" Mitchell asked.
"It is unlikely. The remaining Jaffa fleet defends Dakara."
"You only have three mother ships and we had a lot more here. And we couldn't stop them." Mitchell stated.
"We cannot merely stand by while our brother's and sisters fall." he said heading over to the panel.
"General…."
"You can go Mitchell. I'll go to. T?"
"I will be going as well."
"I assume you are going with them then Colonel?" Emerson asked.
"Yes sir. We are a team and more than likely, Daniel's on one of those Ori ships."
"Are you sure about that?"
Sam and Ford looked at each other and then at Emerson. Mitchell groaned and shook his head.
"Oh yeah." they said together.
"You two are going to make me go crazy."
"That's the point." Ford said laughing lightly. "On the serious note, Colonel, get this ship home and tell them what happened and have production of the other ships to become more than around the clock. If they need to hire more people to get this ship functioning and those other's out of dry dock quicker, tell them to send me the bill. Bra'tak, signal me as soon as I leave the ship."
"I do not understand."
"I'm coming in a Puddle Jumper. Mitchell will explain. Sam, come help me. Colonel, have supplies placed in the back of the Jumper. Med kits and repair stuff."
"Are you sure you can get it to fly?" she asked as they ran off.
"Good luck to you all." Emerson said as the other's ringed off. "Major, have everyone get out of the bay. The General and Colonel are leaving in the Jumper."
"Yes sir."
When they got there, the people told them good luck and god speed. They noticed the supplies and thanked them before getting in. It took them five minutes to do a little rerouting and he got it out of the bay and into the Hal'tak's cargo bay.
"We'll do better repairs during the trip."
"Yeah. Not much else we can do." she said as Bra'tak, Teal'c and Mitchell entered the bay.
"I can think of something." he muttered as he pulled a panel.
"We just got our asses kicked and your thinking…."
"About sleep Sam, just sleep. We've both been up for awhile now."
"Need any help?" Mitchell asked.
"Can you repair any of this?" Ford asked pulling a damaged flat crystal out.
"No. I figured I'd ask anyway."
"Will this vessel be able to help us General?" Bra'tak asked.
"She flies."
"Weapons are still functional." Carter said looking at her laptop. "Cloak is offline. Both sides are not going to be opening for the moment. Shields are functional."
"Won't stop that Ori super weapon."
"We shall leave you two to this and inform you when we arrive." Bra'tak stated with a small bow.
"Thanks Bra'tak. Sam, you just cut power to the lights."
"Hang on. I was trying to bypass something." she muttered looking at her laptop.
At Chulak, the Ori ship was landing and troops were getting ready to deploy about the city. Vala looked out through her doorway as troops walked by. She closed the door and turned back to Daniel who was still hiding.
"Looks like a ground incursion is about to begin."
"We're on Chulak." he said looking out the window. He turned away thinking as he walked to the door and turned to her. "With most of the warriors out there fighting the Jaffa, we might be able to get off this ship without being detected."
"We have an opportunity here."
"Yes, I was thinking just that." he said nodding as he shook a hand at her. "But we don't know what powers that child might have."
"She is the key to this whole invasion. If we could somehow capture her or take her with us, turn her against the Ori, then she would become the most powerful weapon we would have against them." she said making gestures with her hands.
"That's a big if."
"What have you got?"
"Nothing."
"Worth a try then?"
He grunted with a shrug and said something that sounded like okay.
"You'll need a better disguise." she said walking past him to the door. She opened it and looked around. "I know where the armory is."
He covered his head with the hood as they walked down the corridor.
"They have stun weapons like zat guns. I'll distract her while you sneak up and stun her." she said as they rounded a corner.
Her husband came back and saw her leave around the corner with someone, but didn't follow.
The three Hal'tak vessels were in hyperspace bound for Chulak. Ford and Sam managed to reroute enough of the systems that the ship was able to fly again, cloak and have shields. But power had to be rerouted from the weapons. Given more time and supplies, they could get weapons again, but it would take longer than they had.
"So, no weapons?" Mitchell said as the two entered the bridge.
"Not happening." Carter said wiping her forehead.
"I noticed no one was really on board on the way up here." Ford said. "Where is everyone?"
"I asked the same thing earlier." Mitchell said. "All three ships are piloted by skeleton crews."
"It was difficult enough to get the Council to relinquish three ships." Bra'tak stated. "What crew's we have I had to assemble personally."
"I'm surprised at three." Ford said. "Kinda figured one would be one to many."
"Indeed." Teal'c said.
"Do we have a plan? Way I see it, we are outmatched in man power, firepower and technology. If the Jumper was fully functional and had four missiles instead of two, I'd feel better, but…" Mitchell said leaving it hanging.
"According to the logs we were able to recover, the Korolev was attempting to send a nuke over to the Ori ships as they were firing their super weapon. The logs indicated their shields fluctuated just enough to allow them to try an use the rings to transport a nuke over." Carter said.
"It didn't work, but the logs did indicate that the rings were active before the ship was destroyed." Ford said.
"Unless you brought a nuke with you, I don't think the Jaffa have any." Mitchell said.
"We do not." Teal'c stated. "We do however have other explosives."
"Great, we got a plan then. The other two ships provide distraction for us to get behind one of the ships, that is firing the weapon and bada boom. Ring over some explosives." Mitchell said patting the console with both hands. "And bang, bag us one Ori ship."
"I like the idea. We just have to make sure that we survive long enough to beam it over. Let the other ships know to give it a try as well at the same time." Ford said nodding.
"Triple the chances of taking one of the ships out." Carter said agreeing with the idea.
"See, I knew we'd all come up with something. Let them know for us Bra'tak." he said patting him on the shoulder and leaving a little object on his armor. "Teal'c, lets go play with some explosives."
Bra'tak gave Mitchell a strange look over his shoulder after he was patted. Which Mitchell he didn't see. Ford just shrugged when Bra'tak looked at him.
"As soon as we drop out of hyperspace, I'll start broadcasting on all channels. If Daniel hears us, hopefully he'll get the message and ring aboard."
"Good idea. I'm going to go help them." Ford said squeezing her shoulder lightly before following the other two.
Vala and Daniel were walking through the ship, just talking. Daniel was in one of the armors just like all the other soldiers, but without his glasses on and no helmet.
"You know, if she's anything like the Priors, she'll have powers like them." Daniel said as they past several people.
"That's why I'll go in first, try and get her back turned toward the door so she doesn't see you coming. Now, you've learned that a Prior needs to focus their powers in order for them to work, so when you hear the catch phrase, come in firing, and anyone else in the room should be a problem." she said as they stopped outside the door.
He held up his right hand that had some sort of stun firing device on the gauntlet.
"Now, you're sure this thing just stuns?"
"Yes. The staff thing kills, but that is less potent. But if you shoot that thing at someone several times, it will probably kill." she said pointing at it as it sparked a few times.
He nodded and stood next to the door as though he was guarding it as she went in. The door closed and she went through the other one and glanced around.
"Adria? It's me."
"Come in mother."
She walked up slowly going toward the bedroom section. Her daughter wasn't as young as before. Maybe ten years old now by the looks of it. Vala gave a quick look over as her daughter sat on the bed.
"Are you alright?" she asked with concern. "Why are sitting here alone in the dark?"
The two stone pillars on either side of the ends of the bed suddenly lit of with fire. Vala just smiled lightly at it as she entered.
"The knowledge in my mind is growing as I am. It's a lot to take in. It makes my head ache."
"I can imagine." she said with a very small laugh. A scared laugh. Adria looked at her like she being serious. "Actually, no I can't. But I'm sure it's rough."
The three Hal'tak vessels exited hyperspace just near Chulak. The one with Bra'tak and SG-1 came out first and headed off to the left while the other two came out next and headed off to the right firing weapons instantly. They both attacked one of the ships leaving the other two alone. It broke off from formation and started after them.
"It's chasing them." Carter said looking at the screen that showed the tactical display of the battle.
"Moving into a flanking position." Bra'tak said as worked the controls.
"Rather big bomb. Hope it works. I've never seen anything like this Teal'c." Ford said as Mitchell placed a large black ball into the rings while Teal'c manned the controls. "Reminds me of that one that left a big whole in the base."
"Yeah, where you traveled back in time and save Sam and the rest of the SGC." Mitchell said pushing buttons on some small remote.
"Yeah. Just like that. Except that one was a ruse and was all silver without all those panels and such. Sam, we are ready down here."
"What are you doing?" Adria asked as Vala looked out the window. She had gotten off the bed and came into the main room.
"Looking out on Chulak. Are you interested in the planet you are conquering?" Vala asked as Adria walked up and looked.
"Have you been here before?"
"Once." she said sitting on the ledge. "What do you know of the Jaffa?"
"They are a proud people. Confused about the ways of salvation. They have been mislead by parasites posing as gods for many generations." she stated. "But in their hearts, I believe there goals are the truth path to salvation."
"Then why are you slaughtering them?" she asked getting up and walking to the table.
"This is Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter calling any survivors of the Earth ship Korolev. Do you read me?"
Daniel was just waiting for Vala when his com went off. He looked around as he got his com unit out while she was repeating the message. He turned to the wall and talked quickly.
"Sam, it's me. Daniel."
"I knew it." she said smiling with Bra'tak. "Good to hear your voice."
"Yeah, good to hear you too. Look, I'm kinda in the middle of something right now."
"We're in orbit trying to blow up one of the Ori ships."
"Yeah, I'm on one of the ships that is landed on the planet." he said not noticing two crew members coming up behind him from down the corridor. "I need to maintain radio silence."
He put it away and turned back around quickly. Thankful that the two people that went by didn't say or notice anything.
The Ori ship was still following the two Hal'taks as Bra'tak followed from behind. The beam lashed out and took out one of the ships sending its remains into the Ori shield as it plowed through after the other ship.
"I'm detecting the fluctuation in their shields." Bra'tak said. "Almost in range."
"Guys, I've got good news and bad news."
"Make it quick." Ford said.
"Guess they are busy." she muttered. "Daniel's alive and on the Prior ship on the planet. Bad news, we just lost a mothership. If this plan doesn't work, this will be a very short battle."
"We are in range." Bra'tak stated.
"Mitchell, get out of the rings. Go T."
"They are firing again, send it!" she said.
The rings beamed the bomb off as they watched. On the bridge, the two watched and kept following as the Ori ship continued to fly and follow the other Hal'tak.
"It should have gone off by now." she muttered. "Guys, it didn't work."
"Kinda figured that out when you didn't call back shouting with a happy voice." Ford muttered rubbing his face. "Okay, as Jack would say, we need a plan B."
"They must embrace their destiny." she stated forcefully as Vala looked at the doorway while standing by the table.
"Well, then, hallow are the Ori." she said mockingly, but hiding the tone. She failed.
"Please mother, it is blasphemous for an unbeliever to speak those words." she said with a gasp as she stood in front of Vala.
"No really, you're starting to make sense to me now." she said nodding as she backed up slowly. "I'm really coming around. Hallowed are the Ori."
Vala looked up as did Adria when the door opened. Vala hoped it was Daniel coming in as planned, but her smile fell as Daniel came in with his arms up and her husband behind him.
Bra'tak was barely maintaining the maneuvers to keep up with the Ori ship that was trying to destroy the other remaining ship. He fired the main weapons, but it didn't do anything other than hit the shields. The other Ori ship came from above and shot a beam right through the top taking it out instantly.
"We just lost the other mothership." she stated as they came onto the bridge.
"Let's beam up Jackson and get the hell out of here." Mitchell said.
"I'm sorry Colonel Mitchell, that is not the plan." Bra'tak stated.
"Then what is?" Ford asked looking more at her than Bra'tak.
"Um…." she said with a shrug.
"Bra'tak, what are you doing?" Mitchell asked as they watched the Ori ship that was still in orbit of the planet get closer.
"I believe he intends to ram the other vessel." Teal'c stated.
"Okay. Not the greatest idea, but we are not going down with this ship. Bra'tak, set the controls for autopilot and lets go."
"Where would we go to?" Bra'tak asked.
"The Puddle Jumper. What else?" he asked as SG-1 followed.
Bra'tak set the controls and followed quickly.
"They were conspiring against you!" he yelled pointing his weapon at Daniel's back.
"Yes, I know." Adria stated crossing her arms in anger. "Kill him."
"No." Vala stated getting between Daniel and her husband. "Wait. We want to talk to you."
"Move!"
"I said kill him!"
He moved and so did she, getting right in the way as he fired. Daniel fell back into the table as Vala pushed him out of the way and took the hit.
"Mother!" Adira cried out in concern.
He dropped his weapon and got down near her as Adria was turning her over.
"Oh, that really hurt." she voiced in pain.
Adria suddenly realized and remembered what her mother was and started to stand back up when a energy blast hit her from behind. She dropped and another blast hit the other guy.
"I'll be fine in a moment. Just grab her." she said sitting up slowly.
Daniel started to reach for her when a wall of fire suddenly appeared making them both back up. The fire was near Adria but it didn't harm her in any way. The Prior that had one eye missing walked through the door as it opened.
The Odyssey came out of hyperdrive nearby and saw the single Hal'tak vessel getting nearer to the Ori ship orbiting the planet. The other two started to turn towards them.
"That's not good." Emerson muttered. "SG-1, come in please."
"This is Colonel Mitchell."
"Is everyone else there?"
"Yes sir. We're leaving the mothership now."
"Can you do me a favor Colonel?" Ford asked.
"That depends General. We aren't fully operational and those ships are getting closer."
"Yeah, I see that." he said looking out the window. "I so want to shoot them. Um, can you do a quick fly by the planet and beam up Daniel. He's down in the other Ori ship. We'll make a quick landing in the bay as you fly by. Just have the net up just in case."
"We can do that. Major all power shields please. Everyone hang on."
Daniel aimed his weapon and tried to fire it, but nothing came out of the weapon on the glove. The Prior walked through the flames coming towards them slowly.
"This is not good." she muttered.
Daniel pulled his nine and pointed it at Adria.
"No!" she yelled as he was about to fire.
The weapon was pulled away quickly as the Prior's staff glowed. He smiled at them wickedly and started to aimed his staff at them. Daniel looked up slightly as he heard a familiar noise and grabbed Vala. They both disappeared in a beam of light.
"Daniel Jackson and Vala have been beamed aboard sir."
"SG-1 is aboard right?"
"Yes sir."
"Then get us out of here, quickly."
Space opened up in front of them as the ship entered hyperspace just as a the Ori super weapon came at them. They disappeared as the beam passed through where they had just been almost a second ago.
"That, was close." Mitchell muttered as they got out of the Jumper.
"Hey, I landed it better than before. And this time we aren't smoking."
"SG-1, we successfully beamed Daniel Jackson aboard." Emerson reported over the com.
"That's good to hear." she said.
"Indeed."
"What do we do with this General?" a airman asked.
"Leave it for now. We're going home."
"We also beamed up a surprise."
"A surprise?" they all said.
"Better not be anything dangerous." Ford muttered.
Per procedure Daniel and Vala were in the infirmary getting checked out. SG-1, minus Bra'tak entered the infirmary to hear Vala complaining. But before they entered and heard her, they realized who it was that came up with Daniel by one thing.
"What sort of surprise would Daniel…." Ford was saying when he felt it. He quickly turned around covering his face with his arm.
"Bless you." Mitchell said as he turned back around.
"It's got to be Vala." Carter said. "That airman did say someone came with."
"I'm telling you I'm fine. Remember what I am?" Vala stated to the doctor as SG-1 entered. "As for you, I told you to grab her, not me!"
"Yes, left you behind and brought her aboard here to kill everyone." Daniel said waving slightly at the other's. "I really should have just shot her when I had the chance. I was able to stun her and that opportunity could have been used…."
"I see you two are getting along as well as ever." Ford said laying on the bed to the left of Vala.
"Indeed."
"Daniel, you couldn't have shot a child." Carter stated sitting on the bed beside Ford.. "It's not in your nature."
"You're all forgetting who this child is. Besides, she ordered one of those guys to kill me. She's an Ori in a child's body, that simple."
"Isn't that cheating?" Mitchell asked sitting on a bed the right side.
"If it was, we would have seen something happen by now." Ford muttered covering his face with his arm. "God I'm tired."
"Orilin broke them by coming back and telling us the truth about the Ori." Carter stated.
"Yeah, and he paid for that." Mitchell stated.
"Maybe she's limited on what she can do. I don't know." Ford muttered. "She didn't use her powers to kill Daniel so maybe that's just one limit."
"Possible." Daniel said.
"This kid is going to be a big problem." Mitchell muttered. "Even if her powers are limited."
"She'll be a fully grown woman in a matter of days." Vala said.
"See, that I would call cheating." Mitchell stated waving a hand.
"I have to admit, the ascended rule book is getting harder to understand." Daniel said.
"I think, personally, there is no rule book. All it is, is a bunch of stuck up holier than thou jack asses that think they know it all and that they just make thing's up as they go. That's no big thing, we'll let it slide." Ford said waving his free hand. "Oh, wait that guy over there is doing something wrong, we got to stop that. Hey look, this person over here is doing something a little worse than that last guy, but we'll let it slide. Oh look here, the Ori are wiping out this galaxy, we could help the Earth, Jaffa, Asguard and all those other people, but they are beneath us. Helping them in any capacity might tip our hand, assuming we have one to play."
"I think we got the picture." Daniel said as Ford began another mocking speech.
He grumbled lightly but kept quiet.
"You're not going to get in trouble for mocking them are you?" Mitchell asked.
"He's said worse." Carter said.
Mitchell nodded as he got off the bed.
"This isn't a war. It's a slaughter. We need a plan. A very good one. Or we're all dead."
"When we get back to base, remind me to have everyone try to think of something. I don't care how stupid it sounds. Maybe something stupid will be the victory we need." Ford said getting off the bed.
"Where you going?" Carter asked.
"Fix what I can on the Jumper. It'll give me something to think about other than our current problem."
"I'll be right there." she said.
Takes place just during and just after the NCIS season final episode where Gibbs quit. Also takes place before the two weeks where Gibbs had quit before coming back to work again.
Shortly after they got back and Ford was in his office looking over and finishing paper work while talking to Sam about different ideas on working on the Prior power inhibiting device, Kate walked in.
"Hey Ford, can I talk to you a minute, in private?"
"Sure." he said setting the pen down and closing the folder.
"I'll come back later." Sam said as she got up. She nodded to Kate and closed the door on her way out.
"What's up?"
"Did you hear about Gibbs?"
"Not really no."
She gave him a rundown of how Gibbs was caught in an explosion on board one of the United States Naval vessels during a information retrieval mission. He made a few discreet calls and they sent some flowers, with a note from the Air Force. Gibbs would know who it was, or was suppose to. Unfortunately he woke up later with no memories and later got them. They talked again the next day after learning of Gibbs condition and were both a little shocked the day after that to hear he had quit. A couple days later after learning he quit, she came back into his office again.
"Is this about Gibbs?" he asked.
"I can understand why he quit, but….."
"Still surprises me he quit." he said sitting back.
"I've seen you put up with some of that bureaucratic bull and send it right back at them. Hell the I.O.A. alone used to scare a lot of people on this base until you took over."
"Gibbs doesn't seem like a quitter."
"I did some discreet checking myself and even though he said he resigned, his paperwork for it hasn't been turned it. Officially, he's on extended leave."
"That new director must know him pretty well if she didn't turn it in." Ford said with a smile. "But then again, she was married to him."
"Bet that pissed him off when she took over." she said and then looked down at her hands. "I know that this isn't something we probably can do but, seeing as he has the clearance…."
"You want to tell him you're alive." he said quietly.
"I've been keeping very discreet tabs on NCIS. If this place became public knowledge tomorrow, I'd be able to go see him like that." she said snapping her fingers.
He smiled then sat up and pulled his laptop out from his drawer.
"Close the door. Ever since I learned he quit, I've been keeping a watch on him ever so often."
"How?" she asked coming around the desk to see the laptop screen.
"We do have access to some of those satellites up there including one that belongs to just the SGC. And I've been using it occasionally to check out where he is. He's living with his former boss down on a beach somewhere in Mexico."
(A.U. I think it was Mexico, if I'm wrong, let me know.)
"That's not a good looking hut."
"Needs a lot of work." he said as he zoomed in a little closer. "There's his old boss sitting in a hammock, at least it looks like one. Probably drunk and asleep. There's Gibbs."
"Tossing rocks into the ocean." she said with a small laugh.
"I'm surprised with that boat he was making that he isn't out fishing. Unless he just likes sailing." he said as he brought up a small window that had a phone number.
"Where'd you get that number?"
"Oh, a little bird told me, a computer bird." he said grabbing the phone. "Hello, yes. I'm sorry I don't speak Spanish. Or Mexican. Or French. Yes, this is General, a General who needs Jethro Gibb's help, at least in a talking capacity. Tell him a Ford Primus is calling, he'll take it. Yeah, my phone number is…"
One hour later his phone rang and she got up from reading a folder from the other side of the desk.
"It cost that much to get good food here?"
"Yeah, they charge extra for food that is good for you instead of whatever they call food that is served at other bases." he said as he was waiting on hold.
"Gibbs here. Mr. Primus is it?"
"Hey Gibbs. Yeah, except I've got a new name in a sense and a rank now."
"Is this the same Mr. Primus that tore a flimsy plastic chair apart?"
"No, it was a metal one that I turned into a pretzel."
"So, why are you calling me?"
"Other than to say hi." he said as they watched the screen and saw Gibbs pace back and forth in front of the waves as the lady that handed him the phone was sitting next to his boss by the hut. "I figure you should know that my name is now General Ford Carter."
"General? Carter? They put you in charge of that place? Wait a minute, you're the guy who the President let say with his wife then that I heard about. Lucky you." he said with a happy laugh. "I have to admit, she was a real looker. Is she worth it?"
"Every minute."
"What'd you call for General? If it's to come help, forget it. I'm tired and quit. I'm not even in the country anymore."
"Oh, I know. Listen, I got someone here that wants to talk to you, but remember that the line is probably not secure so…."
"I understand." he said still pacing. "Is it someone from NCIS, because you can tell them I'm not coming back."
"Um, no. It is someone you know though. Hang on." he said putting Gibbs on hold. "You can tell him who you are, but not by name. Just do it…"
"In a secretive way he'll understand, got it. Thank you Ford."
"He always like you a lot. Though if it was anything romantic like, I never noticed." he said handing the phone to her as she sat across from him. He turned the screen toward her so they both could see it.
"Hey Gibbs."
On the screen he stopped.
"Gibbs?"
"Who is this?"
"Um, I got, had a friend that told me a lot about you once. She told me I should call you and tell you to get off your ass if you ever quit for a stupid reason."
"Put the General back on." he asked sternly.
"Yes?"
"What the hell is going on and who is this really? I don't like…." he began angrily.
"It's who you think it is Jethro. Kate's friend here has been keeping an eye on you since she died. Make sure you are safe and such. Sort of a promise." he said getting a nod of approval from her.
"I don't……I…" he said wiping his face with his hand.
"Once it becomes declassified, you'll learn the truth. Until then, just know Kate's promise is being kept. I'm helping when I can. Had I known what those higher up's had planning, I would have came and stopped it from happening. That ship wouldn't have blown up and you wouldn't be down there on a beach every day. I don't know if you'll believe this, but trust me, after I took over here I had a lot of same crap you had to put up with pushed into my face. And I've pushed back a lot."
"Considering what that place goes through, it doesn't surprise me." he said with a small chuckle that almost sounded like a sob. "Can I speak with her again?"
He handed the phone back and the two talked for awhile. It was very well done in slightly clipped tones and in cryptic messages. Ford could easily tell that Gibbs was choked up to hear she was still alive and that he was going to keep it quiet. She told him that he should go back to his job to ensure that the thing that happened to her 'friend', never happened to anyone else. He said he'd think about it and was glad to hear that Kate was keeping a better watch on him, though being 'dead', than he was able to with her.
"I'm….so sorry, that I wasn't able to help, her."
"It's okay Gibbs. She's in a better place. I believe she's enjoying it too."
"Yeah." he said with a laugh. "I bet she is. Hey um, I never did get your name."
"It's Archer."
"Thanks Archer."
She hung up and wiped her eyes.
"I think he's going to go back."
"Me too. Why did you pick the name Archer?"
"I thought the name was rather cool. Especially after seeing the new Star Trek show Enterprise."
SGA EPISODE…………NO MAN'S LAND
When they got back home, Ford gave SG-1 four days off to rest and such. They needed it badly. With General Landry now assigned to the base to handle things when he was gone. Sam asked him ahead of time before they got back to Earth for the time off. The prospect of possibly never seeing Sally again after the whole battle hit her pretty hard. Since she wasn't paid to work anymore anyway, he agreed they all needed it. Even the crew of the Odyssey would get downtime. As much as possible during crew shifting and such.
One of the biggest problems Ford had to deal with was Jack, who chewed him out, big time. It was bad enough that Ford got the Asguard ship mean for them destroyed instead of having Thor or whoever it was bring it to Earth. In fact, he should have had the ship leave shortly into the battle since it was quite obvious at that point the space battle was totally in favor of the Ori. The worst part was that he didn't tell Jack about the ship to begin with. Which Jack ranted and raved about for another half hour.
It was the third day when he found out about the I.O.A., causing trouble as he called it, with Atlantis. It was a good thing he was already stuck at the base, per Jack's orders because of the Asguard ship he got destroyed. The rest of SG-1 was able to have time off, he was not. The other problem, two Wraith ships were on their way to Earth, so he had to be there.
The Daedalus went back to Atlantis after failing to stop the Wraith ships. Weir understood the loss that came with them coming back. Ronan, Doctor McCay and Colonel Sheppard were missing or dead. Along with several others. Despite the fact it was a suicide mission, she ordered Colonel Caldwell to the take the Daedalus and the Orion and do whatever it took to stop those ships from reaching Earth. The Odyssey was in no condition to fight, though she would if she had to. The Asguard were informed and told them that they were currently ready to deploy the new ship, the Carter. From the test they did, having other Asguard vessels attacking it, it held up remarkably well. It would be there if needed, all the SGC had to do was tell them where and when. Thor informed them that it was unlikely with the info that they gained from the battle with the four Ori ships that the new ship would be able to withstand very much for long. The frame and internal structure was made of the super dense metal, but most of the internal workings were not and when too much damage was inflicted, like any other ship, the systems gave out. Even if the ship could withstand the impacts of the Ori super weapon, Thor was quite sure that they did not have enough firepower to even bring down one ship. But they would help with the Wraith if need be.
"In approximately one hour, the Wraith will drop out of hyperspace, here." Doctor Weir said on the monitor that was above Walter's head.
Ford had gotten a few things done while waiting for Weir to report in. She had called earlier to tell him some info, most of which was not good. And now she was telling them when and where the Wraith ships were going to drop out of hyperspace because they had to cool down the ship because their ships didn't have protection from hyperspace radiation. The screen changed to show a map of the galaxy. Pegasus and the Milky Way. A small blip showed the location of the drop point.
"It's just outside the Pegasus Galaxy. There they will pause for fifteen hours. If Daedalus and Orion break orbit on our current schedule, they should be able to reach those coordinates at just under fourteen hours, best possible speed."
"They are cutting it close. You do know what you sent them to do?"
"Yes General."
"I hope they can do something. And god help them get out alive." Ford said shaking his head sadly. "The Odyssey will be able to fight if we have to and the Asguard will use their new ship to help us if we need it. Just let us know how it goes."
"Hopefully they will not be needed."
"If it wasn't so far, the Asguard would help by intercepting them their selves." Ford said pausing a moment. "I got some bad news for you, or what I call bad anyway. I tried to get them to leave you alone, but the I.O.A. wants you to come back here. Now. They want to talk to you about this situation and a few others I guess."
"There's to much to do here, I can't….."
"I agree with you Elizabeth. I truly do, but they got hold of the President and he informed me that he orders you to come through the gate. I have a signed piece of paper in case you needed to see one." he said pulling it from his pocket.
"Very well General. I'll be along shortly."
"Sorry I couldn't do better. They are upstairs waiting."
He watched as she gave orders to Teyla and a few others. Weir grabbed a small laptop and walked down. After a quick look around and a wave, she stepped through.
"Hello Weir. I really tried." Ford said as she walked down the steps.
"I believe you."
"Let's get this over with so you can get on doing more important things, like protecting my city." he said as they headed for the door.
"Your city?"
"I'll explain that later. Daniel's here, even though he has had the last few days off. He can help explain too."
"Okay." she said heading for the stairs. "Is there something else General?"
"No. I'm going up to watch your back."
"Why? Think I can't handle them myself?"
"Not at all. Hell, you did a good job keeping me in check while you were in charge. Basically, they want to blame you for all the problems they have to deal with concerning Atlantis. Point out mistakes and problems in the reports and the failures. That sort of thing. Wouldn't matter if we found a cure for, say 90 percent of the world diseases. If it ended up costing a few lives and another ship, they'd come after someone. Catch my drift?"
"I do." she said nodding.
The two Wraith ships continued on. The Wraith that Atlantis had changed back to human and named Michael was learning quickly that the other Wraith despised him and didn't treat him like a normal Wraith anymore. Ronan was still trying to escape from the strange wall cocoon he was in. McKay wouldn't shut up about them going to die. Sheppard was sitting quietly in his F-302 that was attached to the hull near the rear of one of the Wraith ships. Their window of time was up and they dropped out of hyperspace. Sheppard looked up seeing space and not the blue moving field. He tried calling his teammates only to get hold of Michael, who decided to help him seeing as his own kind refused to accept him anymore. It was awhile of bickering before Sheppard decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Elizabeth told them about the plans they made with the Wraith. Dealing with exchanging info so that the Wraith that came to them, with Michael, could use a retrovirus to change other Wraith into humans again. That way they could feed on each other instead of fighting with the Atlantis team and such. Basically, there was not enough food in the Pegasus Galaxy for all the Wraith so they needed a new plan. It backfired. The Wraith introduced a virus into their system making all info on Wraith tech to be deleted while all their computer info was uploaded to the Wraith ship. Which included the location of Earth. Woolsey, Ms. Chen and the gray haired man sat on the right side of the table listening to her speak. She sat in the middle chair on the other side while Ford sat in his chair watching the debate. Woolsey was somewhat on Weirs side. Two other people, a man and woman, sat in chairs near the stairs taking notes.
She told them about the plan she had going on about stopping the Wraith from reaching Earth. Ms. Chen didn't like the idea.
"It's the best we've got. And as much as I'd hate to loose that many people not to mention two ships, one of which is an Atlantian vessel. I agree with her idea. We only have the Odyssey and you all already know how much trouble it is in. The Asguard said they'd send their new ship to help, but I'd rather they not come unless they have to. That ship may be the only thing that might be able to do anything to an Ori vessel. It may be a significantly bad loss, but if those ships get here, I want them to be as damaged as possible."
"But her plan means the use of the ZPM." Chen stated.
"It would be a tremendously bad loss, but it would give the Daedalus a big advantage. Like I said, I agree with Weirs plan. There is nothing else her or Atlantis can do."
"In one hour, the two ships will be ready to break orbit and head out." Weir said. "With or without the ZPM."
"Well, then we need to take a break and discuss our options." the gray haired man said.
"I have instructed Atlantis to contact the SGC when the two ships are ready to leave. If you want to overturn my standing orders by that time, go right ahead." she said getting up. "But you'll have to fire me first."
As she left, Woolsey sighed and laid his pen down.
"Whatever you people want to decide on, think about something first." Ford said getting up. "I want her in charge of Atlantis. She's doing her best and against some rather big enemies. So, unless you have or find a very legitimate reason to fire her, and it better be something the President would back, leave her alone."
"Is that a threat General?" Chen asked.
"Yes." he said walking away.
Ronan and McKay were still trying to get loose. More Ronan than Rodney though. Ronan did get loose and then got him loose. He managed to get out through use of a hidden knife.
"Did you threaten them?" Weir asked as they looked at the gate waiting for it to dial up from Atlantis.
"Yeah, so?"
"You could get…."
"I blackmailed the U.S government and several other countries with top secret, correction dirty and hidden top secret documents that they thought they had well hidden and destroyed. No big thing to me." he said with a shrug.
"And no one here or your team tried to stop you or anything?"
"I was trying to keep this place in the right hands. Not to mention well funded and such. If I was using the information for personal gain, then yeah, someone here or on my team wouldn't like it and then I'd get in trouble. I did it for others. We're trying to protect the planet here. And some people up there, on the hill and such, don't seem to get that idea. Kinda like Kinsey was."
"Atlantis is dialing in General. Or is should be them." Walter said as the gate dialed.
"Your show Weir." Ford said with a small wave.
"This is Atlantis, we have a scheduled check in with Doctor Weir."
"Stand by Atlantis." Walter said then looked at her.
"I guess they aren't going to give me a verdicts." she said looking at the stairs.
"They should have realized it was pointless to come here. I told them that firing you was not an option. Which is where part of the threat came in. So whatever you want to do it up to you. They're going to bitch and complain whether those two ships do anything or not."
"Teyla."
"Yes ma'am."
"Tell Colonel Caldwell to proceed with his mission. And God speed."
The Daedalus left along with the Ancient ship moments later.
He unlocked the docking clamps and took off. With three missiles left, he took aim and fired one. That ship was not going to be able to use it's hyperdrive any time soon. As he was headed for the second ship, Wraith darts came out after him. He barely managed to avoid most of the shots as he headed for the other ship. But a hit took off his left wing, completely.
The I.O.A. wanted to, as she put it when Ford informed her they wanted to talk again, rake her over the coals for all her mistakes. He agreed and told her to, go do whatever she wanted. He'd deal with them. They weren't too pleased, but Woolsey seemed to understand when Ford told them to forget it and to leave. There was no reason for them to be here and that was that. They were wasting his time. And they actually left, complaining, but left.
The Wraith ship that was working, drove or flew, take a pick seeing as they had to go very slow about it, the ship up to his spinning 302. They managed to bring it onboard and get him out. And they were dragging him, literally, through the hallways. Ronan and McKay kept looking for a way out and such, finally deciding on finding a control panel for McKay to manipulate. Like maybe into blowing up the ship. Michael meet up with the two guards and another high Wraith. Michael lied and got Sheppard released into his custody. After the other Wraith left, he handed Sheppard a nine millimeter and said they should find help. So they went looking for the other two.
The Daedalus had finished its long journey and dropped out of hyperspace with all weapons ready to fire. And fire they did. Most of their missiles were intercepted by the massive amount of Darts, but one hit lighting up space rather brightly as it impacted and did severe damage to the Wraith cruiser. Unfortunately it was the one with Sheppard, Ronan and Rodney. Shortly after, the Orion arrived. Unfortunately, her weapons did not function and her shields were taken out, but not before she managed to fire her drones and take out the Wraith ship that attacked her. While the Daedalus was fighting the other Wraith ship on one side, the Orion came at it on the other. Unfortunately, the Wraith went after the Orion. Sheppard and Michael came across the cocoons that Ronan and Rodney were in, only to find them empty. Sheppard figured out quickly what their plan probably was and Michael told him which way they should go.
The Orion was lost rather quickly after that. With no shields, she took full impacts. The Daedalus quickly moved into position and beamed out what personal they could as the ship was abandoned.
Sheppard and Michael found the other two. With a little argument between Ronan wanting to shoot Michael and Sheppard, which was settled quickly. A quick jury rigging and they managed to get into a dart and fly out calling the Daedalus. A few moments later, the four were beamed aboard the ship. A short drawn out battle where they both fired on each other, though the Daedalus concentrated all their fire on the Dart bays, ended up being bad for both sides. The Wraith ship, who's shields were already down, took the barrage after barrage of rail gun fire until it caused other explosions. The Daedalus ended up surviving, but just barely. Shields were now gone and they had almost if not more damage than before. And no life support. In nine hours they would all suffocate, or worse. On the bright side, there was a functional Wraith cruiser with air. So an assault team was to go over and secure the ship, after using the retrovirus. Less opposition that way.
Ford walked up to the office Weir was sitting in as he was headed to go home. It had a nice desk, with drawers, a chair, some potted plants and a few shelves against the wall. Basically it was a small office for use of other people in her position or such when they came to the base.
"General. Hear anything yet?" she asked getting up from the couch.
"Not yet. But I expected to hear good results. Though I case you're wondering, it looks like the chair is going to work. It will be me or Jack that uses it when and if the time comes. Probably Jack." he said leaning against the door.
"Are you sure that telling the I.O.A. off was a good idea?"
"I sometimes wonder why they are even there at all, and then I think and know why. They ain't going to do anything. They even eventually agreed with your plan."
"Thank you. Are you headed home?" she said seeing the picture of a blue phone booth on his black t-shirt. Something was wrote on it, but the coat was covering the rest of the picture and words.
"Yep. I'm actually was suppose to be off today, but you needed to come here and I figured a friendly face telling you why instead of someone who you might not know would be better. That and I didn't want the I.O.A. trying to do something on my base behind my back. Mostly Jack has me working as punishment for getting that ship the Asguard gave us destroyed."
She nodded setting her papers aside.
"I did talk to Doctor Jackson today."
"About…."
"What you said earlier. I can see how you think that and I certainly respect that you believe in me enough to take care of your said city." she said seeing him smile. "But if it came down to it, I don't think I could help you much if the higher ups decided to kick me out and turn the city into whatever they wanted."
"If it ever comes down to that, I'll show up and lockdown the city. Shouldn't have to worry though. You got people that trust you as their commander just as I have the people here that trust me. I can't speak for Sheppard and his team, which I haven't counted out." he said as she started to speak. "But I know with SG-1, if it really came down to a power struggle here. As to higher ups pushing people here to take over and such. I can say with certainty that Sam and Daniel would quit. Teal'c would just go help his people out."
"And Colonel Mitchell?"
"I don't really. If the said people wanted something evil or underhanded done, he'd probably quit then. That's what I've noticed about his character."
"What about this Vala person?"
"I'm not really sure. She'd be the perfect person for those sort of underhanded jobs, but I think that she's learning that being honest and fair gets you more friends and such. I told her personally, if she shaped up, I'd help her get a credit card and such. One of the other things she needs to do is learn how our culture works before going out into the real world."
"Yeah, it can be strange. Last time I was here, I went out there and it was like, wow. These people have no idea. If only we could all see past our differences and realize that we aren't alone out there." she said looking away as though she could see through the walls.
"Maybe one of these days. When you get back to Atlantis, tell the others that the President wanted me to be his running mate."
"I'm going to assume that you turned him down." she said with some shock.
"Yeah. Bad enough dealing with that group that came here today. Imagine living each day with people like that on the job. Besides, I think that the President thought I would be able to make it a definite win for him."
"The blackmail material?" she asked skeptically.
"No, I don't like to loose, unless it's in a fair game. In politics, nothing is ever fair. And I have lots of money which was probably the biggest thing he was hoping to get help with. Anyway, let them know. Probably think it's funny. I'll catch you tomorrow Doctor."
"Thank you again General. Tell Sam I said hi."
Several hours later, and most of the ship personal that weren't able to help work, were asleep. Most of them in corridors. Though Caldwell thought it was too early, he let the assault team go over to the ship. As hoped, many of the Wraith had turned already and from some of the bodies, they could tell that the crew had attacked each other. Once they had secured the ship, Sheppard informed the Colonel that they could begin beaming personal over.
SGA EPISODE……………MISBEGOTTEN
The next morning, Atlantis called back to inform them that they had no info from the other two ships yet. Another Wraith ship that was on it's way to Atlantis suddenly showed up, but the city was cloaked. Everyone at the SGC and Atlantis waited in anticipation of an attack. What happened was not what they expected. Sheppard was in control of the Hive ship and he told them about how things turned out and how he survived. The city was safe and until the Daedalus was functioning again, the ship wouldn't be home for awhile. She could go home, but not until the Daedalus came and got her. Ford couldn't help but smile when Woolsey announced that despite his threat and her threat of having to be fired, outside influences that where mostly other countries, the I.O.A. agreed that she should stay in command. But Ford was not smiling about her still being in charge, oh no. Even Carter and Daniel smiled when he told them later that Mr. Woolsey was being sent to Atlantis with her. The Asguard came with the new ship, which was a little bit bigger version of the O'Neill. Jack wasn't all that happy to find out that they made the same design of his namesake ship into this one, but he had little choice. Thor brought the two aboard with some supplies and took them to the Daedalus.
