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Just warning you all. If you liked the last chapter…You'll LOVE this one. I'm answering reviews at the bottom. - Spearhead
Chapter 9: And serve.
Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy, Atlantis
1st February 2004
15:00 hours
Steven walked around the conference table. AR-1, Elizabeth and Colonel Emerson had all gathered in the large room.
"Twelve Hive ships?" Steven asked loudly.
"The cruiser that got away must have called for reinforcements." Sheppard guessed.
"Our research shows there are at least sixty hive ships in this galaxy. So who knows how many more may be on the way." Rodney informed.
"At least the shields up and running." John pointed out.
"That only buys us time." Rodney whined.
"Well I like time." John joked.
"Look the first siege of Atlantis lasted for years. I mean, with only one ZPM, we can't expect to hold on that long." Rodney explained leaning back in his chair.
"Can we submerge the city again?" Caldwell asked.
"It's a city, not a Yo-yo. Look, I don't even know how they did it the first time." Rodney mocked.
"How long until they arrive?" Emerson asked Dr. Weir.
"A little over a day." Elizabeth replied.
"You know what, I'm sick of this." John said as he looked at the screen showing the sensor data.
"I'm sorry?" Elizabeth asked a little shocked.
"Sitting around, waiting for them to come to us. I say we take the fight to them." John explained.
"We've got two ships, major." Caldwell said looking around the room.
"Both of which have Asgard shields, an armoury full of nukes, Phase Cannons and beaming technology. That evens the odds a lot." John stated.
"Twelve ships and their escorts." Steven reinforced.
"I'm telling you, we've got to send these guys a message. We're not like the ancients, we're not going to sit and wait. If they don't back off, we have the capacity and the will to go kick their asses for a change." John explained.
"How do we fight a ship in hyperspace?" Paul asked.
"The Wraith's faster-than-light travel is not as efficient as the Asgard hyperdrives onboard the Daedalus and Odyssey. Not only are they slower, they need to travel in a series of jumps. So if my calculations are correct they'll make one last stop here, fifty light years away before they make the final jump to Atlantis." Rodney explained with absolute certainty.
"Dr. Weir?" Steven asked.
"It would be nice to have them on the defensive for a change." Elizabeth nodded.
"All right then. Let's do this." John nodded.
50 light years away from Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy
2nd February 2004
11:00 hours
The Daedalus and Odyssey exit hyperspace in orbit of a planet. The surrounding space seemed quiet. The calm before the storm.
"Sensors are clear, sir. No contacts." Marks reports.
"I hope we're in the right place." Caldwell said looking around the bridge.
"They'll be here. I've learned to trust Rodney about these things." John admitted.
"I'll bet." Caldwell smiled.
"If we can hit the first one or two as they exit hyperspace, that'll send a message." John explained.
"Maybe they'll surrender." Caldwell joked.
"Sir, we have a contact." Marks informed.
"Standby for weapons deployment. Shields at max power." Steven ordered.
"Shields up." Marks said as he followed his orders. Outside, all twelve hive ships and their escorts exited hyperspace.
"Novak this is Caldwell, begin deployment at your discretion." Steven said through the radio.
"I have a weapons lock on the coordinates of the first enemy vessel." Haemoid said.
"Got it. First weapon is away, Colonel." Novak informed. After a second, the closest hive ship was consumed by the internal nuclear detonation.
"That's a kill." Marks nodded.
"Stand by." Novak said after a beeping sound filled the bridge speakers.
"Alright, that's two." John stated as he looked at the sensor screen.
"It's working." Lindsey Novak said, obviously to Haemoid.
"Stand by for new coordinates." Haemoid replied.
"The other hive ships are altering course, heading straight for us." Marks informed.
"Take us right at them." Caldwell ordered.
"Aye sir." Marks nodded. The Daedalus and Odyssey both moved to face the Wraith fleet. Both Earth ships used their rail guns to destroy incoming enemy fighters.
"They're flanking us." John said monitoring the screen.
"Forward rail guns, return fire." Caldwell ordered.
"Novak, we need to speed up deployment of those nukes or this is going to end quickly." Steven informed.
"The enemy has engaged countermeasures that are preventing our ability to transport." Haemoid said to Novak.
"Is there anyway to get around them?" Lindsey asked.
"None." Haemoid replied.
"Colonel, we have a problem!" Novak informed.
"I heard. Alright, we're going to have to do this the hard way. Inform Odyssey, weapons free." Steven nodded.
"Yes sir." Marks replied. Sparks shot out from a nearby console and smoke consumed the bridge.
"Rear shield emitters down to forty percent!" Marks informed. Another console erupted into flames and sparks.
"Ventral rail gun two is out of action. Phase Cannons are firing!" Marks shouted.
"Go to max thrust!" Steven ordered over the beeping.
"Yes sir." The helmsman nodded.
"Try to keep the damaged shield away from the main barrage!" Steven ordered. As more and more fire slammed into the shield protecting the Daedalus, the Odyssey swooped in and fired her Phase Cannons and Photon Torpedoes at the closest hive. Her shield blocked incoming fire while her red weaponry destroyed entire sections of the hive ship.
The Odyssey continued to twist and turn around the Wraith hive ships, causing some friendly fire between the hives. As the Odyssey looped around a Hive, she launched a single nuclear missile at the ship. They were so close that nothing could intercept the missile. It slammed into the hive and caused it to break apart as the flash of energy consumed the entire vessel and vaporised it. The Odyssey of course had already looped around and used another hive a protection against the blast.
Seeing the success of their sister ship, the Daedalus sped up and began firing her Phase Cannons and Photon Torpedoes at a Hive ship.
"Sir, one of the cruisers is approaching on a parallel course." Mark informed.
"They may intend to board us! That was their strategy with Atlantis." John shouted over the beeping.
"Shield status?" Caldwell asked.
"Under twenty percent." Marks replied.
"Head for Atlantis, engage hyperdrive. Give the escape order to the Odyssey." Caldwell ordered.
"Hyperdrive aye. Odyssey acknowledges." The Helmsman replied.
"This fight is over!" Steven said as more sparks erupted all around his bridge. The Daedalus sped up and headed toward a hive ship. The Odyssey looped around a hive and met up with her sister. The two ships used the hive ship as a shield for their entrance into hyperspace.
En route to Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy, Daedalus bridge
2nd February 2004
12:00 hours
"Bottom line is, it didn't work." Caldwell said as repair personnel began to look over the damage to the bridge.
"Well at least you've given them something to think about." Elizabeth replied.
"We'll see, I doubt very much if the beaming tactic will work again. Plus both ships have sustained damage." Steven informed.
"It was still the right thing to do." John reinforced. Caldwell nodded in agreement.
"We should make it home before the Wraith do." Sheppard informed.
"I hope so, we'll keep the porch light on for you." Elizabeth said before closing the channel.
Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy, Atlantis
2nd February 2004
15:00 hours
John, Steven, Paul and a few ship technicians exited one of the city's larger transporters. As they turned the corner heading for Stargate Ops, they were greeted by Dr. Weir.
"Welcome back to Atlantis, Colonels." Elizabeth smiled.
"The Wraith are right behind us." John informed.
"I wasn't expecting you to land your ships." Elizabeth admitted.
"Until repairs are complete, both the Daedalus and Odyssey are going to need Atlantis's shield as much as you do." Steven admitted, reluctantly.
"Doctor Weir, the hive ships are emerging from hyperspace." Chuck, a control room technician informed.
"We're on our way." Elizabeth replied as she, John, Caldwell and Emerson entered one of the transporters.
Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy, Atlantis
2nd February 2004
15:05 hours
The group, now joined by Rodney and Teyla, walk up the stairs and enter the control room.
"They're getting into some kind of formation." Chuck warned.
"Move, move." Rodney ordered as he approached a control panel.
"What are they doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"They're firing on us." Rodney replied just as the shield outside began to pound like a drum from the bombardment. Flashes of yellow and blue light echoed throughout the city. As the blue bombardment hit the shield, it exploded into bight yellow flashes.
"The shields holding under the bombardment, but it's under incredible strain." Rodney informed.
"How long will it hold?" Elizabeth asked.
"If they stop firing at it, it'll last almost indefinitely." Rodney began.
"Are we talking months, weeks?" Elizabeth asked, interrupting Rodney.
"Days. At this rate, the ZPM will be depleted within days." Rodney explained.
"Conference room, now." Elizabeth ordered. As they all entered the conference room, many in the group sat down for the meeting. Zelenka and several other personnel were already in there trying to think of a way out of this.
"We can get the Daedalus back into fighting form within twenty-four hours while the Odyssey can be ready within ten, but it think the next engagement is going to have the same result." Steven informed, while Emerson nodded in agreement.
"Even if we were able to destroy these ships this instant, more ships would be here in a few days and even more a few days after that. From where I'm standing, I just don't see how we can win this." Elizabeth explained.
"Well, now we know how the Ancients must have felt." Rodney replied.
"Atlantis is the only way to Earth. As long as they know we're here, they'll keep coming." Zelenka said pointing out the obvious.
"As long as they know we're here." John echoed with an idea forming.
"What do you mean?" Emerson asked, confused.
"Zelenka just said, 'As long as they know we're here, they'll keep coming.'" John replied.
"Yes, he said that." Rodney agreed.
"Well, what if they thought we were gone?" John asked.
"Then there would be no reason for them to stay." Teyla answered catching on.
"Exactly." John nodded.
"Exactly what?" McKay asked.
"We disappear." Sheppard replied.
"Destroy the city, you mean?" Steven asked.
"No, we just make it look like we did." John answered.
"How?" Elizabeth asked, smiling.
"We cloak it." Rodney said snapping his fingers.
"Yes. Yes, the Puddle Jumpers are equipped with cloaking technology, which renders them invisible to the naked eye and to Wraith scans. If we just simply remove a cloaking generator from one of the Puddle Jumpers, we could cloak the city." Zelenka explained.
"I wouldn't say simply, but, yes, it could work." Rodney agreed.
"That's all well and good, but I think if the city were to suddenly disappear they might be able to put one and one together." Caldwell said, sceptically.
"Which is why, we fake a self-destruct. Have the Daedalus beam a nuke right above the city shield, then detonate it. While their sensors are blind, we cloak the city." Rodney explained.
"Then when the smoke clears, nothing but ocean." Elizabeth smiled.
"What about hard radiation?" Paul Emerson asked, concerned.
"I should be able to calculate with reasonable accuracy how long to wait before we switch over to the cloak." Rodney answered.
"What about the displacement issue?" Zelenka asked Rodney.
"That's the easy part." McKay replied.
"Okay, what about the hard part?" Zelenka asked.
"Hard part?" John asked, confused.
"Well, the cloak for all intents and purposes, will replace the shield, which means we'll be completely unprotected once the cloaks activated." Rodney explained quickly.
"We'll be completely exposed?" Dr. Weir asked, a little shocked.
"Well, yes." Rodney nodded.
"So, if they don't fall for this ruse?" Emerson asked, not really asking a question.
"They'll destroy the city., which, I remind you is what we were planning to do anyway." John replied.
"What about the Daedalus and Odyssey?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, if it doesn't work, our shields should be sufficiently recharged to break through their lines and escape. We know we can outrun them." Caldwell answered.
"All right then, lets get as many nonessential personnel onto your ships as we can, just encase." John nodded.
"I love this idea, I really do. But, the Wraith are aware we have cloaking technology." Elizabeth said, looking around the room.
"They are close, close enough for me to connect with them. If I can convince them that we intend to destroy Atlantis rather than let it be taken just before the explosion occurs." Teyla smiled.
"How will we know whether or not they believe you?" Weir asked.
"Once they stop the bombardment, we'll know." John explained.
"He's right. If the Wraith believe we intend to destroy the city, the last thing they'll want to do is help us do it." Teyla explained.
"How much time do you need?" Elizabeth asked Rodney and Zelenka.
"A week." Zelenka replied.
"A couple of hours." McKay answered at the same time as Zelenka.
"I'll take the second estimate. Go." Weir nodded. As they all file out of the room, Doctor Carson Beckett runs up to the group.
"He escaped." Carson exclaimed.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Who?" John asked, confused. As Teyla, John and Elizabeth stop to talk to Carson, Emerson and Caldwell walk off towards their ships.
"Ford. He was able to disarm one of the marines, and took off with all of the Wraith enzyme I had left." Carson explained.
"Ford, this is Sheppard, come in. Ford? I need you to come back to the control room, buddy. We're all going home. Lieutenant, do you copy?" Sheppard asked.
"You're just afraid of me, major. You're afraid of what I can do now. I'm not listening to you." Ford said over the radio.
"I'm going after him." John said before running off down the hall.
"Now's not the right time!" Weir shouted after Sheppard.
Lantea, Pegasus Galaxy, Atlantis
2nd February 2004
18:00 hours
For the past three hours, key members of the Atlantis expedition had been working hard on getting everything ready for this plan to work. Rodney and Zelenka had no doubt been working non-stop to get the cloaking generator online, while Emerson and Caldwell had been supervising the loading of Atlantis's nonessential expedition members onto their ships.
All the time, the Wraith had continued to bombard the city and the ZPMs power levels were slowly dropping. Steven was at this minute signing off some paper work on a tablet computer.
"Colonel Caldwell?" Elizabeth asked over the radio channel.
"Your people are securely aboard. The warhead has been armed and ready for deployment on your mark." Caldwell informed.
"Very good. Stand by." Weir ordered. After a few intense moments, Dr. Weir reopens the radio channel.
"Daedalus, launch the weapon." Elizabeth ordered.
"The weapon is away." Novak said, joining the conversation. A second later, a bright flash consumed the city. Everyone shielded their eyes from the light. The mushroom cloud stretched up into the sky and dispersed outwards.
"Rodney?" Elizabeth asked after the flash died down.
"If we switch to cloak before the blast radius diminishes, we'll all be incinerated. Five seconds." Rodney replied.
"Stand by to engage sub light engines on my mark." Steven ordered.
"Standing by, sir." The helmsman nodded as she flicked a few switches.
"Okay, that was definitely five seconds." Elizabeth broke the silence.
"We're cloaked." Rodney confirmed, after a beep sounds.
"How can you tell?" Weir asked the physicist.
"They're scanning for us." Rodney whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" Elizabeth asked in a hushed voice.
"I don't know, it seems like the right thing to do." Rodney admitted.
"Is it working or not?" Elizabeth asked louder. Suddenly, Caldwell could hear the sound of the Stargate being dialled. Each chevron that locked caused the knot in his stomach to tighten more and more.
"What the hell?" Weir asked, dumbfounded.
"Where's Ford?" Sheppard asked. He could be heard through either McKay's or Weirs radio.
"I assume that's him in the Jumper." McKay pointed out the obvious.
"Can they detect that?" Elizabeth asked, almost shouting.
"I don't know." Rodney admitted.
"Shut it down!" Elizabeth ordered.
"I can't! The Jumpers in control." Rodney explained. Caldwell listened intensely. He was waiting for an answer.
"It won't matter if the Wraith can detect the gate activity through the cloak." Weir said, obviously answering someone.
"There's only one way to know." McKay said.
"Colonel, sensors detect the enemy ships are leaving orbit and entering hyperspace." Marks informed.
"This is Daedalus. Our sensors indicate the Wraith fleet is breaking orbit." Caldwell informed the city's control room.
"I can confirm that. They're entering hyperspace. I'm going to keep the cloak up for a little while, just to be safe, but I think they bought it." Rodney almost laughed with relief.
Cheers broke out all around Caldwell. The crew were rejoicing and who was he to stop them. After all, they'd managed to save the city and destroyed four Wraith hive ships in the process. In anyone's books, that was a good first mission.
There you go. I hope you enjoyed it. I know it was very similar to the actual Atlantis Ep, but the next chapter will be completely me.
Douchiesnacks - Thanks, I thought it was about time the Daedalus and Odyssey started actually dealing some major damage…instead of on the show then they used gorilla warfare. Also, the only energy weapons they ever had a chance to study were Goa'uld plasma cannons…and they're crap. So it's understandable why they didn't add them to their ships.
Nedy Rahn - No this fic doesn't have a Fed ship heading for Atlantis. You must have got muddled up. I hope you enjoyed.
Blackholelord - That wasn't a short chapter. But I no what you mean by wanting more of the story in one chapter. But I wanted both of these chapters to focus on Atlantis and lay down the foundations to bring Atlantis into the story as a frequent location.
Major Simi - They always do and thanks.
Thunder18 - I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Don't forget to R&R people. I need more reviews if I'm going to keep up the good work. - Spearhead