"Normal speech"
"Normal speech"
"Gothic around non-Imperials."
"Mental Links."
"Ship Names."
"#Ancient to every one#."
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"This is a nice place you got here." O'Neil said with a whistle as he looked over the balcony's edge over the Atlantean cityscape. Streaks of flame dotted the sky as pieces of debris ignited in the atmosphere.
"Yes it's a beautiful city. Truly a testament to the Ancients." Weir said standing beside him.
"So what are numbers?" O'Neil asked his eyes never leaving the city.
"Forty eight marines from the Daedalus, seven people from the original expedition and five Mk1 rail guns. Five damaged buildings and one over stressed ZPM." She said.
"That's not bad for an undermanned, under armed and surrounded force." O'Neil said as another thunderhawk swooped down to the city.
"I suppose so but no one has told me yet why your even here. I'm not complaining but why are a company of marines, three regiments of elite soldiers, several Asgard, three SG-teams and what appear to be our strongest ships all the way out here? I heard about the Replicons from the Daedalus's last report so I'm guessing their in the Milky Way but why aren't you there fighting them?" Weir asked worry and confusion evident on her face.
"The Replicons cannot be stopped only stalled on their advanced on Earth, and once that falls everything goes down like dominos. So me and the Imperium's generals have decided to sell the lives of millions of people to force their advance into a slow grind. We have estimated that we have six months before they scorch Earth. Thor theorized that the Ancients probably have material on or an actual being known as a C'tan some where in this Galaxy. So we've packed up our biggest guns and sailed off to try and find this thing." O'Neil said his age clearly wearing heavily on him.
"So the fate of our entire Galaxy is on your shoulders? And what's a C'tan?" Weir asked.
"Not just me, I've got some lackeys to ladle blame on. But yeah, it's all up to us in the end. You'd have to ask Thor or some one on that 'cause I don't have a clue. The best I can figure is that it's some kinda energy being with god like abilities that the Ancients studied to speed up their ascension." O'Neil said.
"Hmm, we found something like that here but it was not 'god like' in any way it relied on basic instincts only. So do you have any plans were to begin?" Weir asked as the Lantea sun began to set.
"I figure we'd go through your files looking for some reference than go from there." O'Neil said with a shrug as he turned to go inside.
"I've got a better way if you'd care to join me." Weir said motioning towards the door.
"Fine, but I'd better roundup Angelus or he's going to be pissed." O'Neil said with a sigh.
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"So let's get this straight. You are one of these marines I've read about?" Rodney McKay asked the imposing yet old red armored man in front of him.
"Yes I am. I am Brother-Gideon of the Sons of Sol, at your service." Gideon answered as he looked over the table of Ancient devices.
"Oh, I thought you guys would be a little smaller." McKay said with a nervous laugh.
"No, I am of average height and stature." Gideon answered as he poked at a small green stone.
"That's a personal shield. Its charge is depleted though." McKay said poking his head around the marine's side.
"Hmm, an interesting little device not unrelated to a Chaplin's Rosarius. I'll have a look at this latter." Gideon mumbled to him self as he dropped it back into the pile of little gadgets.
"A what?" McKay asked.
"Gideon, Vanem is looking for you. He's ranting about Titians or something." Davidenko's voice echoed through the empty corridor.
"I'm in here Major. Tell Vanem that if we could build a Titian we would have done so a long time ago." Gideon said his brow creasing as he stared at a small, see through chip in scrutiny. His red armored fingers spinning the chip around surprisingly nimbly.
"Please just go see him he's been pestering everyone to go look for you." Davidenko said as she entered the lad.
"Ah, um, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Rodney McKay, lead scientist of Atlantis." McKay said nervously.
"Major Lilia Davidenko, SG-1." She replied trying to subtly puff out her tight uniform.
"So what do you think of Atlantis?" McKay asked as Gideon walked past them grumbling about Vanem's stupidity.
"It's a very nice place, but very empty compared to the SGC or the Yggradsill." She said with a smile.
"Rodney, Rodney. Can you come to the holograph room and hook up an Mk2 reactor?" Weir's voice crackled over the radio.
"I've got to go. Um, feel free to look around and I'll see you later." McKay said gesturing at the lab before walking out the door.
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Elizabeth Weir, Jack O'Neil and Angelus watched as Rodney McKay rapidly hooked up an Mk2 Naqahdah reactor to the holographic machine. The room was silent besides for McKay's muttering as he attached wires and fiddled with circuits. Suddenly there was a shower of sparks and McKay stood up.
"All done. I'll just go turn it on now." He said waving both his hands over his shoulder.
As soon as he stood on the podium the holographic representation of a woman in a white dress with black hair appeared and launched into her speech on the fate of the Ancients and their war with the Wraith, the galactic backdrop changing in time with her words.
"Okay, ask away." McKay said as he tuned out the hologram.
"Tell us about the C'tan?" O'Neil said stepping forward.
"#Clearance level Omicron required to access requested files. Input command code.#" The hologram said in a monotone voice.
"What she say?" O'Neil said bewildered.
"I don't know but I have a feeling we aren't going to get an answer." Angelus said.
"Okay how about this. Name all sites of research on ascension?" Weir asked the hologram.
"Ascension is the processes in which a physical being becomes pure energy and transcends into a different dimension were the beings mind can control the laws of physics. Several sites were used to study this. The main sites of research were: Commorragh, Ortus Veriumas, Ego Asorda and Vis Taonas. #Further Information requires Omicron clearance. Input command code.#" The hologram said with a gate address flashing up every time a planet was named, except for Vis Toanas which got a series of spatial coordinates and a list of pulsar alignments, then the hologram deactivated itself.
"Well that was helpful. At least now we have an idea where to go." O'Neil said scratching his chin.
"Fine in the morning we'll send an M.A.P.L. to this Commorragh place." Weir said.
"What ever I'm off to get some sleep." O'Neil said opening the doors as he yawned.
"Ishmael, Nestor. Gather the Brothers and establish a chapter base in the city's out skirts near the landing pads. After that let them have some recreational time." Angelus said into his vox caster as he followed O'Neil out the door.
"What was that?" McKay said watching the retreating form of the marine.
"Gothic, Rodney. I suggest you get used to it. It's the marines' original language." Weir said as she too left.
"I guess I have to clean up then. Why it's always me?" McKay whined as he started to unplug the generator muttering to him self.
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The next morning the entirety of Atlantis was awoken by a wing of I-301s reaching Mach 2 above the city as they flew maneuvers. The black fighters soared over the ocean city banking in unison before entering a steep climb back up to the waiting battle ships hovering over the planet.
SG-1 walked into a large room with a polished black topped rectangular table in the middle to see O'Neil, Nestor and Weir talking in front of a large black screen with twelve large yellow dots holding still and a single smaller yellow dot flashing at the furthest edge slowly closing on the small blue dot in the corner.
"Okay, if you guys wanna attack it out system then its all yours." O'Neil said vaguely gesturing at the screen.
"It would be preferable to wipe out any interference." Nestor said his black armor creaking as he picked up a stack of paper off the table.
"Ah, General your team is here. Please sit and Nestor would you tell Vanem to stop trying to dismantle the Chair device." Weir said as SG-1 took their indicated seats.
"I will try Dr. Weir but when he sets his mind on something it's very hard to dissuade him." Nestor said with a smile as he left the room.
"So what's the mission?" Mitchell asked.
"Well there are three, so we will be splitting up SG-1 into its original four person cells. Daniel you, Carter, Peterson and Teal'c will be going with the marines in the Ragnarok to intercept a Wraith Cruiser at the systems edge. You are to pull the ship apart and gather any information that you can. Next Stuart, Millar, Fisher and Anderson you guys are to help a team from Atlantis relocate the Athosians. Their village on the main land was damaged by the tidal wave from the hive ship's crash. We've chosen a nearby planet to send them too which is within quick response range for the fleet. Final Titov, Mitchell, Macdonald and Davidenko you will be going with Atlantis's primary team, under a Major Sheppard, to find the first Ancient outpost, Commorragh. Well that's everything, the missions start in two hours so get ready and good luck." O'Neil read from a sheet of paper on the table.
"Why do we get the boring mission?" Stuart whined.
"Because your team isn't suited for the other missions. An Assault team is practically useless with nearly a hundred space marines tagging along and we don't want too blow up the Ancient outpost." O'Neil said stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"I been thinking we should also try and translate that thing the hologram said when you asked it about the C'tan. If we find out what it said we might be led on a better path." Titov said yawning loudly when he finished.
"We've already started on that. Apparently it might be a request of some sort; the translation will be finished later to day." O'Neil said.
"Okay can we go now?" Peterson asked swaying from foot too foot.
"Yeah you can go. Oh Titov, take your team and familiarize your selves with the Puddle Jumpers before you leave." O'Neil said to the Russian Colonel as he left.
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Entering the Puddle Jumper hangar a P-90 casually slung in his arms Major John Sheppard hummed lightly to him self while his team followed loosely behind. Rodney McKay arguing with Lieutenant Aiden Ford over some trivial matter involving the viability of spontaneous human combustion while Teyla Emmagan walked behind them listening intently as the two argued back and forth. They were greeted by another four people waiting for them. Colonel Gergori Titov was deep in conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell ignoring everything around them as they talked to each other. Captain David Macdonald was sitting with his back to a pillar seemingly asleep his las gun cradled in his lap the serrated bayonet glinting in the light. Major Lilia Davidenko was leaning against the same pillar as Macdonald talking absentmindedly to the sleeping man next to her a long las propped against her leg.
"And who might you be?" Sheppard asked coming to a stop in front of the two talking men.
"Well, over there is Major Davidenko and I guess that this is her team." McKay said pointing over at the redheaded woman.
"Oh, and how do we know that McKay?" Sheppard asked rounding on the shorter man.
"We met last night." McKay said.
"Sounds nice. Well um, excuse me but why are you here?" Sheppard asked Titov and Mitchell.
"What? Oh you must be Major Sheppard. I'm Cameron Mitchell and this is Gergori Titov. We're tagging along with you too Commorragh." Mitchell said pointing to him self and Titov.
"And those two?" Ford asked from behind Sheppard.
"That's Lilia Davidenko and the sleeping guy is David Macdonald." Mitchell said without even looking to confirm his statement.
"Hi I'm Aiden Ford." Ford said shaking Mitchells hand while smiling at them both.
"Rodney McKay, nice to meet you." McKay said over Ford's shoulder.
"Teyla Emmagan." Teyla said bowing her head.
Mitchell whistled loudly getting Davidenko's attention and Macdonald to crack open a single eyelid. "Get over here its time to go." He said happily.
Sheppard walked over to a Puddle Jumper and pushed the release button next to the ramp causing it to descend. The two teams filed into the small craft and seated them selves in the back compartment while Sheppard and Mitchell climbed up to the front. As soon as Sheppard sat down the craft came to life, the rear ramp closed and sealed its self, the internal lighting came on and the heads up display activated showing a vast range of data varying from the air temperature in the hangar to the exact magnetic position of the craft on the planet.
"All right. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Atlantis Puddle Jumper service, please keep you arms and legs inside the ship at all times and if we suddenly lose power adopt the brace position and kiss you asses good by." Sheppard said down the craft as he guided it to the star gate.
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The Wraith Cruiser floated gently through space its sub-light engines pushing it along as it passed another desolate asteroid on its journey of exploration towards the feeding grounds of Atlantis. Its slim purple figure rotated slightly as a large chunk of iron floated passed it. The serenity was broken as a massive hyperspace window opened directly in front of it. Alarms wailed and Wraith scurried to their battle positions as the Ragnarok swerved to face them head on its void shields springing to life.
"Xeno ship sighted and locked. All batteries stand ready." Nestor said.
"Optimal targets located and targeted." Vili said from his station.
"Detecting power spikes from target ship." Odin said with a frown.
Streaks of modulated purple energy sprang from the small cruiser only to impact futilely against the shimmering wall of the void shield. The power monitor of the shields registered a nine percent power loss after the slight tremor had stopped. There was a momentary pause after the first volley of fire from the Wraith before the frontal lance of the Ragnarok sent a beam of white light burning through the engine block of the Wraith Cruiser. Fire erupted from the large hole in the back of the organic ship as its engines died leaving it floating dead in space. All activity ceased from the ship for a second before the rear half was engulfed in a large plasma ball. The remaining front half of the ship was thrown away its organic structure still burring and leaving trailing glittering crystals of air and dismembered and desiccated Wraith corpses.
"Hmm, it seams the Wraith engine blocks are more fragile than I anticipated. The necessary corrections have been made to the firing solutions." Vili said impassively as the half Wraith Cruiser span of into the void spitting plumes of flame and arcs of electricity.
"What is the situation of the ship now?" Angelus asked rubbing his temples as the Asgard continued to swipe rune stones over his consol in a seemingly random pattern.
"The rear section is vaporized." Ve said getting an annoyed look from Angelus. "And the frontal section has half of its compartments sealed by organic barriers. The bridge and several decks around it are still pressurized. There are at least fifty Wraith life sings and… twenty human. We have to get them out!" Ve said getting frantic at the end.
"Silence Asgard. Teleport marines into the pressurized areas and medical teams to the human life sings." Angelus said leaning forward in his chair.
"By your command." Nestor said as his work station flashed and bleeped. "Marines away. Medical teams preparing for teleport." He finished.
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Appearing in a flash of light the marines sprang out of their crouched positions and dove into cove, their bulky power armor doing little to decreases their agility, before the Wraith even knew what was going on. Bolter fire swept the corridors there time delayed explosive tips exploding organic walls and Wraith with equal efficiency. The stunned Wraith around the insertion point were wiped out with out ever firing a shot.
"Gold, Fear you are to secure the human captives. Faith, Fury and Death follow me." Isaac said his bionic eye refocusing on moving objects further down the smoke filled corridors. He fired of a few shots and a snarl turn scream was his reward.
"The Emperor protects." Was the marines' response as they jogged of into the smoke the clapping of their armored boots on the deck resounding throughout the wrecked ship.
Isaac with a gesture of his hand moved off followed by the two Tactical squads and the Assault squad. They carefully picket there way though the collapsing corridors finding little or no resistance from the Wraith that were reportedly around. A Wraith warrior dropped from the ceiling and roared in defiance at the marines but it was quickly ripped apart in a hail storm of diamantine tipped bolts. Stepping over the pile of smoking meat the marines fanned out to search and destroy the remaining Wraith crew.
Several I-301s sortied forth from the Ragnarok's hangar bay and with practiced efficiency attached tow cables to the floating hulk. The purple mass stopped spinning and slowly began to follow the little back dots as thy pulled t towards the open maw of the Imperial hangar bay.
Isaac glared in disgust as he kicked the now limp body of the last Wraith of his chain sword its pulverized organs leaking out of the ragged gash across its chest. With a final hate filled glare he turned to the assembling marines as they fought the conflicting gravities of the Wraith cruiser and the Ragnarok.
"Is the ship secure?" Isaac asked fingering eh switch to silence his chain sword.
"Yes, all the Xenos have been eliminated. As the Emperor wills it. The humans have been freed most are terrified of us but seem grateful." A marine answered as he detached his helmet and clipped it to his belt.
"Excellent, once the hangar is pressurized we will return to our posts and take the humans to the infirmary but before that sweep the ship again. It would not do well for us to lose one of the SGC's technicians or a Brother-tech marine to an ambush. The Emperor protects." Isaac said saluting the marines.
"The Emperor protects." They replied in unison.
The marines spread out again re-checking all of the broken ship's rooms and corridors for the presence of any Wraith.
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The Puddle Jumper shot out of the star gate its shape rippling into nothing as the cloaking device activated and it banked away to the left flying around the side of the star gate. The surface below it was rolling planes with sparse forests and deep valleys spread out in all directions. Several miles from the star gate a small cluster of black dots could be seen with smoke lazily rising from the tops of them, obviously a village of some sort.
"Well were here so what now." Sheppard asked as he once again made the Puddle Jumper circle the star gate with a minute mental command.
"How about that village over there?" Mitchell asked.
"Anyone got any better suggestions?" Sheppard asked as the small craft raced towards the small cluster of villages.
"Nah, just land in that clearing to the left there and we'll walk the rest of the way." Ford said as he readjusted his cap.
"Yes sir, Lieutenant, sir." Sheppard said sarcastically as he guided the invisible ship into the clearing.
"Um, are you sure we should just walk in? What if they attack us? What if we're captured? What if, what if… Oh God I don't want to get shot again." McKay asked as his eyes progressively became more frantic.
"Becalm Dr. McKay, all will be fine." Macdonald said poking the shorter man in the chest with the butt of his las gun.
"We're here." Titov said yawning loudly as the ramp at the back descended and he climbed out.
The rest of the team followed the Russian Colonel out of the Puddle Jumper and stood in a circle just outside the ramp.
"Ah, excuse me but is this really invisible?" Davidenko asked pointing at the Puddle Jumper.
"What you mean? Of course it's invisible." Ford said happily making Davidenko shift uncomfortably as every one looked between her, Ford and the Puddle Jumper.
"And why are you eyes glowing?" McKay asked nervously.
"Hey, hey wait a second." Mitchell said grabbing Ford and McKay by the collars and dragging them away from the Davidenko and Macdonald. Titov and Sheppard both followed them smirking at Ford's protests and McKay's expression of terror.
"Now listen Aiden, Rodney. Some stuff happened back on Earth I'm not going into it because even she doesn't fully know about it but her body's been changed…" Mitchell was interrupted by Titov.
"Enhanced is more appropriate Mitchell. Sufficient to say she has a range of abilities far out side the norm. It would be better if you didn't mention it as it is connected to… painful memories." The Russian Colonel said his normally relaxed face becoming hard and stern.
"So, what kind of abilities?" Sheppard asked.
"Well let's see. She's really strong Titov can testify to that, she can see in most wavelengths, copy anyone's voice, dislocate and then use her limbs and all her senses are better than ours." Mitchell said counting things of on his fingers.
"Well that sounds really useful. Why haven't you done it as well?" Ford asked.
"Because Lieutenant, she only survived on a fluke and I don't think you or I could withstand the amount of torture she went through. So no it's not really useful. The other member of my team that was infected slaughtered over forty SGC personnel, killed a space marine, wounded several more and nearly blew up the entire complex." Titov said his face returning to its normal apathetic manner.
"Shit, all that from one guy." Sheppard muttered.
"Okay, okay sorry. I guess we should get going now?" Ford said avoiding Titov's eyes.
"Indeed. Davidenko, Macdonald, Emmagan lets go." Titov shouted over his shoulder.
"I think you should fill Teyla in on this." Ford said to Sheppard as the three approached.
"Yeah sure, tell you what though I think McKay might need you help." Sheppard said nodding towards the scientist who was staring at Davidenko.
"McKay you all right?" Ford asked making the man jump.
"What? Oh, just thinking." McKay said laughing slightly.
"Major Sheppard, the town is about a mile away. Colonel Titov is anxious to set out." Macdonald said using his las gun to indicate the direction of the village.
"Okay, come on guys." McKay said.
"Teyla I've got some things I need to tell you." Sheppard said as he slid up to her.
The group of eight disappeared into the foliage of the forest chatting lightly amongst them selves.
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Stepping out of the forest the SG-teams found them selves standing on the edge of a small cluster of houses. There was about seventeen houses and a large central structure in the middle they were made out of stone with thatched roofs people in plain clothing wandered around the streets carrying thing too and fro from place to place. The Atlantis and Terran teams blinked in surprise as a man in a leather vest decorated with intricate symbols and a plain white shirt with black trousers. At his waist was a whip with a metal handle and several knots at the end. He was about as tall a Sheppard but much more muscular with a near pitch black hair and sharp brown eyes. He smiled thinly without revealing his teeth that was a little unsettling as it made him appear like he was trying to hold in some sort of mad laughter from exploding out of him.
"Hello. Nice day isn't it?" Sheppard said his finger slowly creeping over the trigger of his P-90.
"Oh my yes. I must say how pleased I'm to see you. We haven't had traders in such a long time." He said his eyes narrowing to slits as his thin smile stretched wider across his face.
"Yeah, so what's the name of this place?" Ford asked looking around the small hamlet.
"Oh my, how rude I'm Astonian Lect. We are the last and strongest Tribe of Hes and this is the city of Commorragh. We'll surely enjoy you stay." He said bowing to them. When he was bowed his lips finally parted revealing a set of teeth filed to extremely sharp points, giving him a predatory look. His eyes glinted in anticipation as he led the group of travelers into the small cluster of buildings.