"Normal speech"
"Gothic around non-Imperials."
"Mental Links."
"Ship Names."
"#Ancient to every one#."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
President Henry Hayes was by and large considered a well rounded, honorable man. The fact that he was considering killing the Chinese ambassador if he complained again summed up the scale of the argument he was facing. Since the unexpected arrival of the Space Marines and hastily constructed alliance the I.O.A. and Gate Treaty had effectively been set on fire and hung from the flag pole. The SGC, with mainly Elizabeth Weir to blame, had steamrollered any attempt to cull their actions and movements. The fact that the last outside organization to enter was the NID and they were nearly torn apart for their organizations link to the whole demon incident had, understandably, put off any outsiders from venturing into the Cheyenne Mountain complex even though they hadn't even seen one of the marines in the flesh. Although that didn't stop all the representatives from the different organizations and countries bitching to the President, far from it since they were all terrified of the hulking armored death machines, they had basically taken up residence in his office only to list their demands for equal cooperation.
The problem was only compounded when Hayes had told them of the impending doom approaching them. The news that Earth had gone from fringe world with a very limited influence in the Galaxy to a full Galactic Empire with an iron death grip on its territories had made many people giddy. The subsequent report that their new empire was systematically being wiped out by the reborn nightmare of the Asgard had crushed this short lived feeling of mutual cooperation. The idea that a highly hostile and ruthless race of machines was cutting a blood-soaked path of annihilation towards you had that effect on most sane people. Of course this revelation, rather than promote the countries of Earth to send troops to help mankind's struggle for survival, had actually started a debate whether or not the SGC should be held responsible for this new threat. Alas politics live up to its name: poli-many, tics-blood sucking parasites.
Hayes sighed as the British ambassador vacantly stared at him from across the table. Behind him stood the imposing figure of Drill sergeant Stein, the marines shadow eclipsing the two sitting men. "So the Prime Minister is requesting that the construction schematics and materials of the I-301, I-303 and I-304A and B along with any other advances be made available internationally. Is that correct?" Hayes asked laying the sheet of paper on to this desk.
"Yes, the Prime Minister is severely disheartened that you, our ally of many years, are holding back such powerful technologies. The Gate Treaty makes it perfectly clear that all technologies of alien origin should be shared among the allied countries." The ambassador said gesturing lightly at the briefcase on his lap.
"Yes that is exactly right but our treaty with the Imperium of Man states that no human technologies may be shared outside those the Adeptus Mechanicus recognize as worthy. If you have a problem with that they I suggest you take it up with the Imperial ambassador. Also the treaty doesn't cover extra-dimensional technologies or products of research on said devices." Hayes said looking over his shoulder at Stein who simply glared at the British man.
The British ambassador threw a scared glance up at the marine before clearing his throat loudly. "Adeptus Astarte Stein, on behalf of the United Kingdom of Britain I would like to open negotiations with you." The man said his voice holding steady as Stein glared down at him.
"As an inhabitant of Terra it is your right to be defended by the Imperium but I am not a disciple of the machines. Your tech-priests will have to be sanctified by Brother Techmarine Samson." Stein said an edge of annoyance seeping into his voice.
"I see, and when will this Samson be available?" The ambassador asked politely.
"He tends to the machine spirits of those who face the Replicons." Stein said narrowing his eyes at both the President and the ambassador.
"Very well. Thank you, President Hayes and Adeptus Astarte Stein for your time. The Prime Minister wishes you well in the disclosure of the Stargate and we plan to announce our connection at nine o'clock GMT. I hear that the Russians have already started to gather men and machines." The ambassador said shaking Hayes hand.
"That is true but the Premier has yet to make the Stargate public knowledge." Hayes said.
"I truly never thought that we would make this world's biggest wonder public because of war." The ambassador said as he left.
"Stein, are you ready? As the only marine left in the Solar system you're in charge of briefing the military. Once Bra'tac, Jacob Carter and Beyla arrive we'll begin the broadcast." Hayes said straightening his tie.
"You seem nervous." Stein stated.
"I will be the first President to introduce two genetically altered humans, one with a parasite in his gut and man with a snake in his head along with a little grey alien on national TV and then explain that we have been gallivanting through the stars for the last eight years fighting with aliens and monsters without telling anyone a thing. Not exactly how I wanted to leave my mark on history. You better be ready for the press, I assume General Landry has briefed you on proper protocol." Hayes replied shifting through the small amount of paper on his desk.
"Yes, but I still don't see why you are so cautious. As the ruler of this nation your word should be unquestionable." Stein said.
"Were it so easy." Hayes muttered.
A flash of light filled the room and when it cleared Bra'tac stood there, his old and worn jaffa armor on, as usual, and next to him was Beyla, who was looking very tired.
"President Hayes, I am Bra'tac of Chulak. It is an honor to meet you." Bra'tac said bowing slightly to Hayes.
"Master Bra'tac it's a pleasure to finally meet you. General Hammond has mentioned you several times." Hayes said.
"Is Hammond of Texas not coming to this… announcement?" Bra'tac asked looking around the office.
"Lieutenant General Hammond will be joining us later after he has collected our last guest." Hayes said.
"I still do not see why you need me here." Beyla said.
"Freyr volunteered you. He said you were the only one left with prolonged experience of humans." Hayes said.
"I see." Beyla said sitting down in a chair.
"All that is left is Jacob Carter and we can begin." Stein said.
A knock came from the door and Hayes glanced up before answering. "Enter."
A tall man with dark, large sunglasses and a pristine black suit entered the room. "Sir the reporters are becoming restless. I suggest that you make your appearance soon." He said scanning over the assembled people his gaze lingering over the Asgard for several seconds before with a tiny shrug he left the room.
"I hate the press always so annoying." Hayes muttered.
"What is this press? Is it a warrior clan? Or a group of… scheming bastards?" Bra'tac asked.
"Who are the 'scheming bastards' youre referring to?" Hayes asked looking at the old jaffa.
"It is what O'Neil calls the people of NID." Bra'tac said confidently.
"That sounds just like Jack." A loud voice said from the doorway.
"Ah, Hammond of Texas you have arrived." Bra'tac said happily, smiling at the old Lieutenant General and waving his hand above his head in his version of a salute.
"It's good to see you Bra'tac." Hammond said returning the salute and smile. "Mr. President I have brought along the guest you asked for." He said taking off his hat and tucking it under his arm.
"It has been a long time since I saw the inside of this office." A calm and smooth voice with a hint of nostalgia said from behind Hammond.
"Ah, you must be Major General Carter. It's an honor to finally meet you." Hayes said rising from his seat and extending his hand.
"That's ex-Major General. I'm retired and a Tok'ra now." Jacob Carter said shaking the Presidents hand. He was dressed in the sand-brown outfits that all Tok'ra wore and had a Zat attached to his hip.
A low growl rumbled through the room and every one turned to face Stein who was glaring at Jacob Carter. "Parasite." He whispered.
Jacob Carters eyes flashed golden and he said. "No, we are symbiotic. Your people have already accepted the Tok'ra." His voice was the deeper metallic version that most Goa'uld and Tok'ra had when the symbiote was speaking.
Stein sneered at the man and then grunted in resignation, "I still don't like it.", he muttered.
"Well now that everyone is acquainted lets go make history." Hayes said gesturing towards the door.
"Sir may I suggest that we keep Beyla in the center of our party." Hammond said as he straightened his cap back onto his head.
"Agreed, Mr. Bra'tac please don't poke that." Hayes said stopping the veteran jaffa from examining a stone bust of President Lincoln.
"I wish Nestor was here, he is good with this sort of thing." Stein mumbled to him self as he closed the door behind him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since arriving in Atlantis several days ago Lekiel Ommarin had been interrogated several times by different people on everything that had transpired in Commorragh sufficient to say she had made one of the interrogators vomit when she described the torture methods of the Kabal of the Shattered Dream. Now that was all behind her because she was watching as the man call Titov laid out a small metal pendant on a ribbon in front of a picture of the young soldier that had died on Commorragh.
"Today we gather to honor the memory of Lieutenant Aiden Ford. He gave his life in the finest tradition of the American Marine Core. He was a man who would bring a smile to anyone's face, he was my friend and I will miss him till the end of my days. Attention." Sheppard spoke from in front of a large crowd.
The entire crowd minus the civilians saluted the empty coffin as the American flag was folded over and handed to Elizabeth Weir. Then the coffin with the picture and medal was slowly raised up and slid over the side of the balcony. The wooden box plunged into the freezing Lantea sea and sank to the bottom.
The crowed slowly dissipated, none of them talking above a whisper, leaving Titov and Sheppard standing were the coffin was.
"You did all you could Major. Don't let it plague you in the future." Titov said turning to leave.
"I know but he was such a good guy." Sheppard said remorsefully.
"Write the letter to the family, they need to know." Titov said patting Sheppard on the back.
"Okay." Sheppard said wandering back into the city.
"Ah, Miss Ommarin can I help you with something?" Titov asked as he spotted her.
"Yes I was wondering if you could explain where you actually come from. No one will tell me anything." Ommarin asked.
"Wouldn't Davidenko or someone else be better for that?" Titov said with a yawn.
"I cannot find her." Ommarin said dejectedly.
"Fine, come with me." Titov said a little bored but mostly tired.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"This is Ranger to Atlantis. Delta Wing reporting in, patrol's all clear." Mitchell said into the vox microphone next to his mouth as the I-301 gently banked. "So Sheppard how are you finding the I-301s?" He asked to the pilot in front of him.
"It's very interesting, controls are really over-exaggerated and the plasma core is temperamental. It's also the largest thing I've ever flown." Sheppard replied.
"Yeah it's a bit of a beast." Mitchell said with a chuckle. "Pincer, you're lagging behind. Any problems?" Mitchell asked as the formation of blue dots on his screen broke apart.
"Pincer to Ranger, we're losing the inertial dampeners. Request permission to return home." A gruff voice said over the vox.
"Alright ladies, Delta Wing returning home." Mitchell said as Sheppard turned the fighter around.
"You know Sheppard that shit on the crystal we brought back was fucked up." Mitchell said scowling underneath his helmet.
"Yeah, seems the high and might Ancients weren't into morals that much." Sheppard replied.
"Did you see the latest de-coded segment? It's got the actual revolt on it. I never thought that a bunch of guys with swords and arrows could beat the Ancients. I mean some of their stuff is practically god like and they got screwed over by a bunch of psychotic cave men." Mitchell said gesturing around the cockpit to emphasize his point.
"Just shows that advanced tech isn't everything." Sheppard said as the dark spires of Atlantis came into view.
"General Transmission. Clear grid reference; five-six-three. All patrols clear grid reference; five-six-three." A voice said over the vox.
"Five-six-three. We're clear of that." Mitchell said briefly scanning over his screen.
"This is Ranger to Atlantis what's the warning for?" Mitchell said into his vox.
"Weapons testing. We're testing the effect of the P.G.G. in atmo." The same voice said.
"Roger that, requesting permission to enter landing pattern." Mitchell said as his fighter wing slowed down even more to allow Pincer's fighter to keep up.
"Solution plotted, auto-pilot programs engaged. Welcome home." The voice said.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As Hayes neared the large white door he began nervously straightening his attire and repeatedly clenching his fists. The quiet murmur of the journalists floated down the decorated halls, its gentle tone totally different to the maelstrom of shouting he knew awaited him. Slowing down he signaled for the odd group of people to stop at the door, straightening his tie once again he nodded to them and walked into the bright room.
The babbling journalists stopped immediately as their President calmly walked onto the stage at the front of the room. A velvet blue curtain hung behind him and at either side were two aids that looked extremely nervous. Hayes stopped at the podium the row of microphones angled exactly at his mouth.
Taking a single calming breath Hayes shuffled around the collection of paper he always left on the stand which included: three sheets of blank paper, a very old game of knots and crosses that was rumored to be over fifty years old and the menu for his favorite Chinese take away. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, today is a momentous occasion. This marks the turning point in our nations, no our worlds history. Ladies and Gentlemen today I would like to announce the existence of extraterrestrial life."
The room exploded into questions men and women nearly climbing over each other to force their Dictaphones closer to the president while they screamed out incoherent questions that where lost in the general throng of screaming humans.
"Please quiet, please calm your selves." Hayes said into the microphones as the security detail futilely fought to stop the press storming the stage. "Quiet!" He bellowed and the entire room fell silent.
"Now, please welcome our guests. One of the best Generals the Air Force has ever had the privilege to produce; Lieutenant General George Hammond." Hayes said gesturing to the door as the veteran General briskly walked onto the stage, his dress uniform impeccable and his medals shining.
"Next we have a man who has saved this planet many times." Hayes said getting a fast paced murmur from the crowd. "Master Bra'tac of Chulak." He said as the old and weathered jaffa master slowly walked onto the stage staring around him in confusion. The press continued to talk their voices buzzing in the background.
"Thirdly we have two important guests. Please don't do anything rash." Hayes said staring down one or two of the more boisterous journalists he knew. "Beyla of the Asgard and Tok'ra Jacob Carter." He said as the tiny grey alien slowly made her way from the door with Jacob Carter just behind her.
The entire room fell silent as the strangely dressed man and alien walked calmly onto the stage. In a split second the entire room collectively snapped their jaws shut and began screaming, even louder than before, at the President. Bra'tac on pure reflex took up a fighting stance as the journalists once again tried to rush the stage.
The entire room suddenly quieted as the lumbering form of a Space Marine entered through the door the red eyes of the helmet glowing menacingly. "This is becoming tiresome." Stein growled out, the vocaliser in the helmet making the gothic sound even more alien and menacing.
"Adeptus Astartes Stein." Hayes said gesturing to the armored marine as he climbed onto the stage making the metal groan under his weight.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, four of these people are extraterrestrials that the United States Government and other countries around the world have been in contact with for the last eight years. Now, I will open the floor to questions." Hayes said.
A tall blond woman with glasses and a notepad in her hands was picked out from the shouting crowd by Hayes. "President Hayes, why have you or any other government not disclosed this earlier? The people have a right to know what their money is being spent for." She asked.
"It was an executive decision by the administration before mine to withhold this information from the public. We have simply continued that order. Yes you." He said pointing at a short Latino man.
"You still haven't answered why." He said.
"It was decided that this information would cause too much wide spread panic, as at the time we were total undefended." Hayes said.
"So you are saying that some aliens are hostile?" The same man asked scribbling furiously on his notepad.
Hayes mentally kicked himself for being tricked but didn't let it faze him. "Yes at the time of the Stargate program's activation the galaxy was controlled by extremely hostile and technologically advanced extraterrestrials." Hayes said.
"The Stargate program?" The blonde woman asked.
"Lieutenant General Hammond would you please take this one." Hayes said motioning for Hammond to take the podium.
"The Stargate program is an operation run by the American Air Force which entails the exploration of other worlds with the primary goal to arm and defend Earth." Hammond said calmly.
"Is only America reaping the benefits?" A plain man shouted form the back.
"No, several experimental technologies are being reverse-engineered from off world tech around the world." Hammond said gruffly.
"President Hayes, if these are truly aliens then why does only one look it." A journalist asked gesturing at Beyla with his Dictaphone.
"She is an Asgard, one of the few extraterrestrials with a different body shape." Hayes said getting a murmur of talk from the crowd.
"If it was decided to keep this a secret then why are we here now?" A man at the front asked spinning his chewed pen through his fingers.
"That brings me to my main point. The Galaxy is full of inhabited worlds all controlled by our administration here on Earth. We call this the Second Imperium, it…" Hayes was interrupted by a large man shouting out.
"Second? Was there a first?" He asked getting muttering from the rest of the press.
"Adeptus Astarte Stein is a resident of the First Imperium, the location of which will be made public at a later date." Hayes said making the buzzing of the press rise even louder as they regarded the large, armored Space Marine.
"Why Earth?" Another man shouted over the chatter.
"That is a complex issue and will be addressed latter." Hayes said making the press cry out in annoyance at the lack of detail.
"Silence!" Stein roared and every one stopped talking at once.
"Thank you, to cut this short the Second Imperium has been invaded by a race of extremely aggressive and advanced machines that have embarked on a genocidal war against humanity; we have designated them as the Replicons. We thought that we didn't have to involve the Earth standard militaries but the casualty rate has proven too high." Hayes stopped to take a deep breath. "In three weeks time after their training I will be sending three army groups along with all necessary supplies and equipment into the Nevada desert where two I-303 class Cruisers will transport the military forces to a garrisons on several different worlds were they will be tasked with enforcing peace and defending that planet." The room was quiet for a second before the journalists began screaming questions.
Hayes couldn't react fast enough before Stein had jumped off the end of the stage and landed in front of the shouting crowd, the entire floor shaking on his landing. "Do not question His will. Millions have died for your salvation, now when you are asked to contribute to your own survival you cower away. If this is how you are then Terra has truly fallen far. You only have one life, spend it well!" Stein shouted over the crowd.
Every one stopped and stared at the marine for a second before someone spoke. "Is that true?"
"Yes, the total casualty roster hasn't been complied yet but thirteen worlds have been scorched in the past month. The situation is extremely dire and I urge every one to try and do you part." Hayes said solemnly.
"Mr. President the first group of Generals have been assembled. Its time to leave." An aid said from beside the door.
Hayes and his odd entourage left the journalists either arguing with each other or talking rapidly down their phones. He could only hope that they took the real message away from this and didn't spin it into some sort of government conspiracy, which it was, but he didn't really need that kind of shit now.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Orthos Prime was a plain world not rich in anything in particular but not short on anything either. It was for that reason that it had been chosen for the relocation of the Athosians, it could sustain them for an indefinite period while being so ordinary that no one would regularly come. The only inhabitants were a group of cave dwelling people who viewed the moon as a god and hadn't advanced beyond the discovery of the basic iron working. The location of the Stargate in orbit made most of the gossipy native Pegasus humans stay away leaving the world effectively cut off except for ships.
The Athosians had taken the move with a bead of discontent; they hadn't started well with the Imperials, drowning out their homes as a hello hadn't gone down very well. Still they enjoyed freedom from the Wraith and having an entire planet as their own allowed them to spread quickly. It was the second week since they moved and a modestly large town was now the centre of an expansive farming community.
Lieutenant Tarion Sem'rak was a fairly plain regular man; he wasn't extreme in any way. Plain brown hair, plain features not excessively tall or short or overly muscular, the only thing that was odd were his almost white iris. Besides that he was just a simple farm boy who enlisted when his world was conquered by the Emperor's forces. He was walking down the central street his black flack armor covered in dirt from the bag of potato like things he had slung over his shoulder next to him was an elderly man carrying a smaller sack while he rambled on about how his grandson was talking about enlisting with Atlantis. Sem'rak was the leader of the four man team that were stationed out with the Athosians on weekly shifts, so far that had entailed getting bunked in some random house and then working in the fields. Not that most of them minded having come from mines or farms them selves they were used to manual labor.
"Well thank ye y'ung 'un. Was a great 'elp, 'ere take dis." The old man said holding out a handful of the potato like things smiling jovially showing off his lack of teeth beyond some sparsely placed incisors and molars.
"Thanks old man." Sem'rak said taking the vegetable and stuffing them into his hip pouch.
"Nary a prob'em." The old man said dragging the sacks into his house.
"Later." Sem'rak said as he walked off nodding to the occasional Athosian.
"Lieutenant have you seen those two idiots?" A brunet woman asked as she jogged up to Sem'rak. She was Hirmle Wos'ka, Sem'rak's Sergeant; the daughter of a blacksmith she was good with weapons and very into discipline.
"Nah, their on patrol around the farms about now." Sem'rak said.
"Thank you sir." Wos'ka saluted as she jogged off.
The other two members of Sem'rak's team were Kalum Dirko and Worlam Favaros, they were his grunts. Both of them had been candidates for symbiote implantation before their world had been conquered. They were for a lack of a better description matter before mind kind of guys, both were impressively strong and loyal but neither had leadership quality which was a shame because every one couldn't help but love them for their complete lack of common sense. Dirko was a tall, heavily set blonde man with a distinct love of meat. Favaros was nearly the same; tall, heavily built with black hair, he was the more energetic of the two.
Sighing as he reached the doorway to their temporary lodging. Sem'rak stopped to rub the back of his neck, he had been having strange pains and blackouts for several days now but he simply dismissed it as a bad injury from when he fought that jaffa in the Atlantis bar. The bar as it was called was a section of rooms and walkways that Supreme Commander O'Neil had cordoned off and then filled with the large amounts of distilling equipment a couple of the engineers had made on the flight deck in their free time. Laughing at the funny memory he walked inside to begin the evening meal.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
By a random chance of fate or the will of God or what ever you believe in, the planet that the Zerfàrim had chosen to deposit the child of Commorragh was a planet that their records had shown to be mainly empty. The planet was known in the Ancient data base as Orthos. Thieri Ghen'Hòar looked down at the unimposing little blue world as her ship orbited the pole. A large town had been detected that hadn't been there on the last survey ten years ago, the distance between the original settlement and the new one was too massive for the simplistic humans to have accomplished. The technological level was another interesting factor: the cave dwellers were barely above forging iron while the town's inhabitants where almost at the level of industrialization. She was brought out of her wandering thoughts by a single quiet cough from behind her. Hayn Sàdo'Kel stood with his arms clasped behind his back staring roughly half a foot above Ghen'Hòar's head.
"Thaèn-Ghen'Hòar the child is ready for transport, initial survey shows that the large town on the light side would be the optimum place to leave the boy." Sàdo'Kel said smoothly.
"Agreed, what do you make of his story?" Ghen'Hòar asked Sàdo'Kel as she watched him out of the corer of her eye.
"The story seems plausibly, but… something seems strange about it, like it was scripted but only in places. Like he has taken the truth and twisted it into this lie. A very clever deception; for a human child that is." Sàdo'Kel said.
"So you see it as well. This new power, these armored giants. They may pose a threat if the destruction at Commorragh is their norm. I'll be requesting support for the recon mission after we finish here." Ghen'Hòar said as she turned fully to face Sàdo'Kel.
"As you wish." Sàdo'Kel said bowing his head and leaving the room.
Several minutes later a small, dark green with grey highlights along the edges drop ship detached itself from the midsection of the Kaerathaì Baermon and slid majestically down to the planet below.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sàdo'Kel felt a little uneasy as he walked through the large town, leading the child with two of his men following discreetly behind. Everywere he looked there was the twin headed eagle he had found on the marker stone, it was stamped on the water barrels, the sides of the houses, on food packages that the villagers collected from a large warehouse, it was even present on some flags that hung from a few houses. So far he had no indication what the symbol meant or how this strange village had come to be. That notion was dispelled when a young human woman in black armor carrying a strange looking weapon jogged past him. He nearly didn't register her presence but out of the corner of his eye he caught the large golden eagle on her shoulder guard.
Signaling the two Zerfàrim behind him he started to follow the soldier. The woman jogged out of town into the large farmlands that surrounded the town seemingly heading towards an area where Sàdo'Kel could hear cheering and strange cracking noises. The farms themselves were relatively simple as the only hostile creature on the planet wasn't on this continent and the crops the Imperials had brought had taken to the ground like a fish to water. It was a perfect place for the Athosians to live.
Sàdo'Kel's pursuit of the running woman had gone unnoticed but deciding not to push his luck he quickly and nimbly climbed into a tree overlooking a clearing where at least twenty men were gathered around another three. In the centre was a middle-aged man who was stiffly holding what to Sàdo'Kel appeared to be a kind of rifle. Beside him were two large men who were instructing him on its use. The blond one was slowly explaining him through the rifles operation while the black haired man was almost bouncing on his feet.
Suddenly a distinctive crack sounded and at the speed of light a red beam shot out and burned a hole right through the tree a few inches to the left of Sàdo'Kel's head. Taking a slow breath to calm his racing heart he looked down once again to find the man holding the rifle at arms length and staring at it in fear. In contradiction the other twenty or so people were having a good laugh at his expense.
At that moment the woman decided to interrupt the impromptu lesson in Las weapons. Stepping forward the two males immediately straightened up and saluted her. "Sergeant Wos'ka." They said in unison.
"What are you two doing?" She asked.
"Ma'am there ain't a point in 'em having a guns locker if they can't use it." Favaros said happily.
"Good idea Favaros, but from now on teach them in your spare time. Not when you're on patrol." Wos'ka said sternly.
"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am." They both said before turning right stamping their right foot down and marching off.
"Bloody idiots." Wos'ka muttered as she turned back to the village.
Sàdo'Kel took time to examine the damage to the tree; the hole was deep and cylindrical with little to no scorch marks outside of it. That indicated laser weapons, although rather weak compared to the Zerfárim's laser technology, it was something far beyond the villagers. Jumping nimbly down from the tree he pressed his hand against his ear.
"Thaèn-Ghen'Hòar I believe that we have found some of the people responsible for the attack at Commorragh. I request permission to interrogate them." Sàdo'Kel said quietly.
"Permission granted. I'll send down a Squad of Daring Shadows to assist you." Ghen'Hòar replied.
Sàdo'Kel nodded to himself and left to find the other two Zerfàrim wandering around the village. They had some surveillance to do.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The M.A.L.P. slid through the event horizon of the Atlantis Stargate sending ripples gently across it. Then the next second its cameras were showing a perfectly preserved city under a deep blue light. The M.A.L.P. rotated its cameras around to show more buildings on all sides most relatively small and compact but others large and covered in pipes. More details were hard to make out as the M.A.L.P.'s light didn't reach that far and the deep blue light of the place made it very dark.
"Radiation levels are higher than norm but within acceptable standards. Oxygen stats are very low, nearly at border line, maximum four hours unprotected movement. High concentrations of nitrogen compounds in the air, nothing lethal detected. M.A.L.P. telemetry is green. Mission is a go." Chuck the technician said. (Don't blame me it's his actual name).
"Excellent, Major Sheppard prepare for your team's immediate departure." Weir said to Sheppard.
"Yes ma'am." He said turning to go. He stopped halfway and turned back around. "Have we ever tried a Puddle Jumper with a marine before?" He asked gesturing at one of the armored behemoths on the gate room floor.
"John, the Puddle Jumper is a piece of extremely advanced Ancient technology well over ten thousand years old. I'm fairly certain that it can hold a couple of extra kilograms." Weir said patting Sheppard reassuringly on the shoulder.
"I know but they are really heavy, their armor alone weights like three times as much as me and then they are like solid bone and muscle. I just not sure that the Jumper can take the extra half a ton." Sheppard said.
"Don't worry." Weir said in a soothing tone. "But after the debacle that happened on the last mission I have decided to send through the muscle, if you will, in the first wave. Now is your team ready or not?" Weir asked her tone serious and businesslike. No matter how nice and pleasant she was normally she could get a job done when push came to shove.
"Yes, McKay, Davidenko, Lieutenant Colonel Carter, Teal'c, Doctor Jackson and the boss man have all singed in at the Puddle Jumper." Sheppard said counting the people off on his fingers.
"'The boss man'?" Weir asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, Supreme Commander Brigadier General O'Neil asked me to call him that." Sheppard said happily.
"That man continues to amaze me." Weir said as she walked away.
"Elizabeth, who are the marines coming with us?" Sheppard asked curiously.
"I don't know Angelus said something about the old man and a mad scientist." Weir said shaking her head.
"Nothing else?" Sheppard asked confusion as to the identities of the marines evident in his voice.
"No, he and General O'Neil were too busy fishing." She said walking away and lowering her head. "With bolters."
Sheppard smirked at the mental image and sauntered off towards the hangar bay humming lightly to him self and contemplating the sheer joy that a Ferris wheel can bring.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sàdo'Kel stood on top of a house, his dark green armor blending into the night almost seamlessly. His armor was covered over on his arms and legs by a very baggy coat, on the chest plate there was the symbol of a wing over a star, along his waist ran twin bronze stripes, and the helmet was sleek and elegant with two small bulges around his cheeks. The helmet's eyes glowed a faint deep blue and the crystals on his wrist were completely transparent. The other two were dressed the same except that their chest plates were clean aside from the band of bronze along their waists.
Suddenly three figures appeared to melt from the shadows around them. The center one raised himself to full height, which was still quite shorter than Sàdo'Kel and the other two Zerfàrim, his completely black armor just outlined by the light from the stars. His armor was very thin and flexible merely a collection of very tiny, lightweight metal loops joined together making an extremely hard chainmail. The helmet covered the top part of the head revealing the mouth and nose it had a visor from ear to ear and interlocking plates down the back of the neck. He had two curved blades, one attached to each of his thighs, shorter blades at his wrists and a single grenade was hooked to his belt. A ragged looking, dark-grey cloak that covered the Zerfàrim's entire person billowed slightly in the wind as the Daring Shadow stared at Sàdo'Kel. The two behind him remained crouched on the roof, their cloaks hiding everything from view except their heads.
"Thaèn-Sàdo'Kel, what are your orders?" The Daring Shadow demanded in a monotone voice.
"Enter the house and take the four humans inside alive back to the Kaerathaì Baermon." Sàdo'Kel said.
"Is that all?" The Daring Shadow asked.
"Yes." Sàdo'Kel said. The standing Daring Shadow nodded to the other two and they vanished into the night again.
Sem'rak was serving a large pot of stew to his chanting men and scowling woman when something came down the chimney and extinguished the fire. The entire house was bathed in darkness; fumbling around the table dropping the stew pot to the floor he found a torch. The beam of light pierced the darkness revealing a pissed off Favaros and Dirko along with a suspicious Wos'ka. Sudden movements on the edge of his peripheral vision made him turn while reaching for his side arm. An empty room greeted the brandished weapon and torchlight. A loud bang came from the table, together with a half shout. Whirling around Sem'rak saw that Dirko was out cold on the table bleeding from his temple and Favaros was nowhere to be seen. Wos'ka unloaded a burst of las into the darkness. The red light illuminating the room for a second revealing outlines of men moving at insane speeds around the room. Firing blindly into the darkness he didn't hear the faint whistling of a thrown projectile until it hit him in the head just above the left eye.
His vision was blurry but he saw Wos'ka collapse down beside him her las spraying the house with deadly light. The last thing he saw was a silhouette of a cloaked man standing over him holding an half meter long dagger in one hand the other hidden in the folds of his cloak. The dagger was covered in an eerie green field; that danced over its surface, twisting the air around it and a light humming filled the air. Sem'rak made a feeble move for the fallen las before the hilt of the dagger and his head got very friendly.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lieutenant Sem'rak awoke with half of his vision blurred out and a horrible pain in his arms. He tried to move from the stool he sat in but a set of thin metal restraints were holding him in place. The room was small and pure white with no discernable door or windows. Looking frantically around he began to struggle more as faint memories began flooding back.
A section of the wall folded back and a tall man who looked slightly beyond middle age walked in behind a seemingly young, beautiful, silver-haired woman followed by two men holding long, sleek guns.
"You will tell us were you got this." The woman said holding out Sem'rak's las rifle.
Sem'rak spat at her feet and began to recite his military information. "Imperial Gate Legion Sixth Company. 1-562-949-252 Lieutenant Tarion Sem'rak 22/06/1972 Terran Standard." He repeated over and over again.
With a sigh Ghen'Hòar turned to Sàdo'Kel and said. "Make him talk." With that she left the room.
"Come now human talk." Sàdo'Kel implored as Sem'rak continued to repeat himself.
"Stupid human." One of the guards muttered shouldering his rifle.
"Leave me with him." Sàdo'Kel said over his shoulder flexing his fingers.
The two guards filed out without a comment and closed the seamless door behind them.
"I didn't want to do this." Sàdo'Kel muttered.
"But I did." Sem'rak said grinning.
"What?" Sàdo'Kel asked surprised, the human had stopped his ranting.
Sàdo'kel moved closer to the now grinning human. "Where is your home planet?" He asked.
"Beyond the void and under the moon." Sem'rak said staring right into Sàdo'Kel's eyes.
Sàdo'Kel's fist smashed into Sem'rak's ribs two loud cracks floating through the room. Sem'rak doubled over breathing heavily as Sàdo'Kel cracked his knuckles menacingly.
"Where is your home planet?" Sàdo'Kel asked again.
"Burning in the faraway sky." Sem'rak wheezed out.
"Stop talking nonsense." Sàdo'Kel said impatience filling his voice.
"Imperial Gate Legion Sixth Company. 1-562-949-252 Lieutenant Tarion Sem'rak 22/06/1972 Terran Standard." Sem'rak said.
Sàdo'Kel growled in frustration and punched the human in the face he felt the teeth and bones shift under the blow and the nose bend and crack. Sem'rak spat out a mouthful of blood and two teeth his head hanging down against his chest.
Sàdo'Kel leant in close so that their faces were only inches away and grabbed the man's hair pulling him up to face him. "Now tell me where your home planet is? Or do I have to kill you?" He said his voice full of menace.
Sem'rak grinned up at the Zerfàrim and his eyes flashed golden. Sem'rak snapped the metal restraints his arms flying around catching Sàdo'Kel off guard and trapping his large frame in a bear hug, pinning Sado'Kel's upper arms to his body. The two fell to the floor, Sàdo'Kel began franticly kicking and punching the human on top of him. He could feel bones move and break under his blows but the human didn't waver in his death grip on Sàdo'Kel.
Sem'rak lent in beside Sàdo'Kel's ear and whispered. "Gou'uld shal nok tal. (The Goa'uld can never die.)"
Suddenly Sem'rak's body kissed Sàdo'Kel. Sàdo'Kel's eyes widened in fear and shock when he felt something force its way into his mouth and down his throat then he blacked out.
Both bodies crumpled to the ground at the same time. Several seconds latter Sàdo'Kel eyes snapped open and he arose from the ground flexing his joints and muscles experimentally.
"Chel nak. Shal'tai, Suen, Tau'ri Shol'va hako kra terak shree. (Very Interesting. Soon I, Suen, will banish the Humans and Traitors to oblivion.)" Sàdo'Kel's body declared his eyes flashing golden.
Leaning over its ex-host Suen bent down and calmly snapped the human's neck with extreme ease. Standing upright again it aimed Sàdo'Kel's body at a wall and smashed his head against it. Blood dribbled down from the head wound; the Goa'uld smiled to himself and then began shouting for help.
The two guards outside burst in to find Sàdo'Kel standing over the obviously dead human with a bleeding head panting as he wiped blood from his chin.
"Tell Thaèn-Ghen'Hòar I have all the information we need. Also tell her I suggest killing the others, they may pose a threat." Suen said in Sàdo'Kel's voice.
"Yes Thaèn." The guards answered and ran off. Sàdo'Kel suddenly froze midstride and his face contorted into one of rage, pain and annoyance. He unfroze a second later with a flash of his eyes he began cracking his neck from side to side.
"Vengeance on all Shol'va." Suen muttered as he started testing out his new host.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sheppard expected to walk into a scene of chaos with either one or more members of his team out cold, several Puddle Jumpers lying in smoking heaps and sparks randomly shooting off from the walls while the remaining lucid people engaged in some sort of weird activity that bordered lined on pagan rituals which only they could pull off without being sent to a mental asylum on the spot. In a strange twist of reality and contrary to every experience he had had with the marines and O'Neil so far the hangar bay was intact and every one was already seated in the Puddle Jumper conversing quietly if a bit squashed. Sheppard quickly noted the old marine in red armor and the younger one in white taking up most of a row of seats.
"You're late Major." O'Neil stated.
"Sorry sir." Sheppard said friendlily.
"Damm right, longer we wait the longer to cake." O'Neil said almost upset.
"Cake? Jack?" Jackson asked clearly confused.
"Yeah, that's how it always goes. Fight the bad guys then come home for cake." O'Neil said like it was perfectly simple.
"I am partially fond of Angel cake." Teal'c said.
"See Daniel, I got Teal'c on my side. Do you want to disappoint the big guy?" O'Neil asked throwing his arm around Teal'c.
"Fine Jack what ever. Can we just leave?" Jackson said throwing up his hands in surrender.
"Sure Doctor, just hang on." Sheppard said from the front.
The Puddle Jumper lurched upwards and flew to the gate room. Elizabeth Weir watched as the small craft hovered in front of the gate before shooting through it. She let out a sigh and almost immediately readied the Fenrir to go and bail them out.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Puddle Jumper came shooting out into the atmosphere very quickly. Sheppard angled the craft to climb higher as to get a better view of the empty city. It was completely still and every one was too busy staring at the ground to notice the glass ceiling, that was until Davidenko screamed for Sheppard to turn the Jumper. The Puddle Jumper's engine pod ground along the deep blue glass ceiling sending trails of shimmering glass and metal shards plummeting to the ground below at extreme speeds.
"Shit that was close." Sheppard said desperately trying to straighten out the unsteady Puddle Jumper.
"What the hell is a dome of glass doing over this place?" O'Neil asked.
"More importantly can you still land the craft Major Sheppard?" Teal'c asked.
"Yeah, I think so. We've got a large power reading from that tall spire at two o'clock looks like a ZPM." Sheppard said guiding the struggling Puddle Jumper down towards the towers base.
The Puddle Jumper didn't so much as land as crash gracefully. The shower of sparks and large skid marks on the ground said as much. Sheppard clambered over every one in an attempt to get at the engine before it did anything stupid like exploding. Finally squeezing through the throng of unloading people he opened the hatch the air rushing past him making his ears pop at the sudden pressure change. Yawning he stepped out and saw that the left engine pod had been fairly beaten up, not totally un-flyable normally just really dangerous but the extra weight of the marines made flight completely impossible now.
"We're on foot from here." Sheppard called back into the Puddle Jumper.
"You know I missed this, alone, cut off with little supplies and in hostile terrain. Yeah I really missed this." O'Neil said fixing on his favorite baseball cap with a hint of glee in his eyes.
"Jack sometimes I'm worried about you." Jackson said as he hopped out of the Puddle Jumper.
"I do not feel at ease unless he is making such remarks." Teal'c said following Daniel out his trusty staff weapon in hand.
"Why do we have to crash all the time?" McKay moaned as he pulled him self free of the Puddle Jumper followed by Davidenko.
"Nothing like a good old fashioned drop landing to brighten your day." Gideon said his red armor creaking as he was finally able to reach his full height.
"Speak for yourself." Samuel muttered as he clipped his bolter to his waist.
"Carter what's the word?" O'Neil called into the small ship as Carter began tapping away on a touch screen.
"Environmentals are still good we can come back here for air after a couple of hours." Carter said looking up from the touch screen.
"If this place is a giant bubble won't it just fill up?" Jackson asked.
"That would take months even years if we ran the Environmental system at max and the power held out." Carter said in her lecturing voice.
"So we have a little air bubble that should keep us safe till rescue comes." Sheppard said.
"Well since we just have time to waste, come now my intrepid explorers lets… well explore." O'Neil said pointing at the supposed site of a ZPM.
"Right you are sir." Sheppard said happily walking off towards the tower.
"Now that's the sprit. Daniel why can't you be more like him." O'Neil said following Sheppard.
"I don't know Jack maybe because I like having my blood on the inside." Daniel muttered under his breath.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The climbing of the tower was uneventful as a potato planter convention. Each and every corridor was a carbon copy of the one below it until no one had any idea how many times they had passed the same column. That changed when they entered a large room of the eighth floor. Inside the room was lit up like several million Christmas trees lights of all colors dancing across hundreds of panels and in the center on a raised podium was three ZMPs each one fully operational.
"Looks like we hit the jackpot." Sheppard said.
"Carter, McKay and Daniel get to work on those computers I want to know about this place. Davidenko and Teal'c secure the perimeter. Sheppard and myself will continue to explore the building. Gideon and Samuel you guys do what ever you want." O'Neil said years of command experience filling his voice until he turned to the marines.
"Yes sir." Sheppard, Davidenko and Carter said while Teal'c nodded to Davidenko and Daniel pulled out his trusty notebook.
Gideon immediately inserted a connection plug into a computer and sat down to mentally communicate with the places machine spirit while Samuel stood over him looking slightly bored.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Carter growled in frustration and would have shouted except for the shortness of breath she was feeling from oxygen deprivation, every time she tried to access the mainframe a large warning came up flashing in blood red. Daniel had translated it as something roughly like "Lock down in place. Awaiting Architect." This message had not gone down with any one as lock down was extremely ominous. A cry of frustration from McKay and a resigned sigh fro Daniel told Carter that those two had once again run into the warning.
"Carter any progress?" O'Neil's voice crackled over the radio.
"Nothing yet sir." Carter said, defeat in her voice.
"Colonel Carter I may have found a way to deactivate the barrier program. Though I am cautious about this lock down." Gideon said shaking his head to clear it.
"Sir we may have a way to open the mainframe but it might disturb this lock down on the city." Carter said into her radio.
"No choice, Carter do it. We're on our way back. O'Neil out." O'Neil said.
"Alright Gideon release the barrier." Carter said.
"As you wish." Gideon relied closing his eyes. His brow creasing in concentration.
Suddenly every light in the room turned red and then darkness engulfed them. The room flickered back to life a second later everything as it was. A single large print sign had appeared on every screen.
"What does it say?" McKay asked confused.
"Warning lock down lifted. Stasis lifted. Barriers unsealed. Manual lock down required to restart program." Daniel read out loud.
"I don't like the sound of that." McKay said, worry seeping into his voice.
"Indeed." Teal'c said from the doorway.
An inhuman roar from far away echoed over the city it was a cross between a lion's roar and the death screeches of a bird. Then all was silent.
"I really didn't like the sound of that." McKay said getting frantic in his chair.
"What the hell Carter?" O'Neil's voice asked over the radio.
"Unknown but I suggest you get back here ASAP." Carter said.
"Roger, enroute. Hey Sheppard double time!" O'Neil shouted.
"Rodney get to work. We need to know what's out there." Carter said as she began frantically working on her computer.
"Right, right." McKay said as he too began working.
Deep in the basement of the building a single bluish white light sprung to life battling against the darkness that had engulfed it for millennium. A large screen slowly came to life on the side wall colored patterns and shapes dancing in the background. Large groups of numbers and random phrases scrolled across the foreground of the screen before it slowed and it began writing leisurely. Delay ten thousand standard solar years. Segment A in use, primary ZPMs at thirty, twenty and forty. Lock down lifted on all sections, total stasis failure, subjects free. The Architect has returned.
"How perplexing. The lock down has been breached and the Architect is not here. Possibility of Betrayer high. Containment protocols activated. Primary mission start." A high pitched, clearly synthesized vaguely male voice said the bluish white light flashing in time with each syllable.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sup, I'm just wondering if I have done something terribly wrong. Only one review for a chapter hasn't happened since, well, forever. If I have somehow offended you or what ever could you explain why, because I'm mainly writing this for your own entertainment and to vent my madness. I'm only asking because of a feeling I have but those normally turn out to be right.
Oh and has any one seen the trailer for DoW II? It looks really good! I'm so happy.
Anyhow sorry for the wait I was in the mountains for a week then I had to re-paint my house BY MY SELF.