Here's the next chapter for you all, questions will be answered and others will be asked. Note: I only own what characters i create, the names and places i invent and the ships and vehicles i seem to be designing in droves for this single story.
I could give you the whole real life excuse for the lateness of this chapter and it would be true. However you should all know that i have gone back and edited every single previous chapter in an effort to improve the story as a whole. There are no major changes, so don't worry you don't have to go back and re-read the whole thing.
Please review and i will respond. Or alternatively post in the thread for this story in my forum. .net/topic/84023/35075481/1/
Review Responses
mwbib: I assure i have much more planned.
Shadow of Realm: Unfortunately an idiot with an army can be very dangerous, as is about to shown.
Jedi Carpet: Thank you for inspiring the revisions, from now on i intend to go back and look at the previous chapters before posting the next.
Daniwilder: You've come up with some interesting ideas yourself and i doubt i have put in anywhere near the same amount of work you do when it comes to writing. But your praise does mean a lot to me.
Atlantis – Control Room
"Okay Ladon," said Sheppard over the open com link. "You've managed to contact us after all this time, now what do you want?"
Ladon's stoic expression flickered for a moment and revealed the face of a man exhausted and at the end of his rope, so naturally John's words did not go down well. But instead of losing it he gritted his teeth, swallowed the bile in his mouth and spoke in a calm but slightly shaky voice.
"We have a problem."
John raised an eyebrow as McKay and Woolsey walked over to stand by the com screen.
"What sort of problem?"
Ladon sighed. "A Commander I thought I could trust has incited a rebellion against me."
"So how is that our problem?" bluntly asked McKay.
Ladon scowled. "Because it seems that the Commander in question used to be one of Kolya's subordinates."
"You're saying that he might follow in his footsteps in his attitude toward Atlantis," said Woolsey.
Ladon sighed. "I'm afraid it's much worse than that, you see Commander Nadier has claimed that he has done what neither the previous or current ruler could do. Seize control of a city of the Ancients."
"Oh come on you can't be…" started McKay before trailing off, eyes widening with shock. "Oh crap."
Ladon nodded. "If it is not your city that he has taken hold of then there is only one other that I know of."
"Are you sure that he is not bluffing?" asked Woolsey. "It could be a ploy to bring more of your people over to his side."
Ladon shook his head. "I'm afraid not. He has been transmitting a speech on a loop for nearly a day now to all Genii outposts, with views of an Ancient city as background imagery."
"Transmitting how exactly?" asked McKay.
Ladon hesitated. "We have our ways."
"Ladon do you want us to help you bring down this rogue Commander?" asked Sheppard.
Ladon nodded hesitantly.
"Then stop holding back on us and give us the full story!" John practically yelled.
Ladon flinched at the aggressive outburst, despite having expected it. "We use short ranged subspace relay stations for inbound transmissions. The technology is a relic from the time when the Genii were a galactic empire, before the Wraith saw us as a threat to be neutralised. It is one of the last few pieces of advanced technology we have left."
"If these relay stations are short ranged then how is he transmitting to all your outposts?" asked McKay, ever the suspicious scientist.
"The relay stations are only short ranged in their transmitting power, but they are all receiving transmissions from the main transmitter on our homeworld."
"So surely the problem becomes that much easier to solve, just take control of the transmitter," said John.
"We can't. The transmitter is one of our most advanced and most valuable possessions and the building that contains it is heavily defended, any attempt to retake the transmitter will be too costly. The transmitter itself will most likely be destroyed by the explosives needed to break our way in."
They knew he wasn't lying. The Genii level of technology wasn't any further than Earth was at the start of WW2. The very reason it had taken Earth so long to even get the stargate working was that such advanced technology required a minimal level of understanding, and the Genii were rather lacking in certain areas. Duplicating technology was one thing but understanding was another and if the transmitter was as old as the Confederation they were most likely unwilling to even touch it too hard, at this point, for fear of breaking it. Then of course there was the sneaking suspicion that the original transmitter had been acquired rather than created, not that they were going to voice their suspicions it of course.
"So what you're saying is that we have to go in and save the hostages, which he has no doubt taken, and take him down because you can't," accused John.
"It's the only way to save those people and to stop Nadier. Make no mistake he will not be your friend, he'll expect you to find out what he did and will offer the lives of the hostages for whatever he can get from you. He's already claimed to have evidence that the Wraith are still a threat despite the claims you made to the Coalition," said Ladon.
Rodney snorted. "Oh come on. What possible evidence could he have that isn't propaganda?"
Ladon's face remained deadly serious however. "It seems that using his authority he was able to delay reports from reaching me about several planets that have been culled to extinction in the past month."
Everyone was shocked at the news. The possibility that the Wraith were once again rebelling against Echidna's will and feeding on humans could destroy everything they had been working towards. The Coalition, the Travellers and even the Tau'ri themselves might be forced to turn against the Wraith, despite all they had accomplished.
John decided to break the silence. "All right fine, we'll look into to the Wraith, but for now we'll clean up your mess."
Kolumna – Control Room – One hour later
"Incoming wormhole!"
Around the gate room soldiers tensed up and raised their weapons as the stargate chevrons lit up. As the event horizon shimmered into existence Commander Nadier strode into the control room.
"Report," he barked at the operator of the main terminals they had set up in the control room.
"Sir," the young man replied professionally. "We are not receiving a signal on our frequency, but we are receiving on a known Lantean frequency, audio and visual."
"Put it on the main screen," he said turning to the large antiquated monitor as the face of Richard Woolsey appeared. "Ah you must be the famous Richard Woolsey I have heard so much about."
Woolsey kept his face neutral and his voice calm as he replied. "I am, and I take it you are Commander Nadier."
"Indeed I am. So what can I do for you this fine day?"
"You have laid siege to a city belonging to a member of the Coalition and have captured the cities inhabitants. We want you to release them and leave the city."
"Now why would we feel the need to do that Mr Woolsey?" he asked with a manic gleam in his eye.
"Because I rather imagine you will fall out favour with the rest of the Coalition when they learn that you have taken innocent people hostage. That is if you coup succeeds," said Richard, not rising to the bait.
"Ah but Mr Woolsey you do underestimate us, this coup as you call it has already succeeded. The people have seen that I am a far more effective leader than Ladon ever was, and all that remains is the final march to reclaim our home world from that traitor," said Nadier, with the last word practically being spat.
"Nevertheless the Coalition will not tolerate the unjust imprisonment of innocent people. The situation looks pretty grim for you."
Nadier chuckled. "Allow me to paint a slightly different picture for you Mr Woolsey. You abandoned your damaged city on this world and took with you all of your technology, save for a few trinkets. However you planned to one day return and reclaim your lost city and so you set the locals a task. You would offer them greater standards of living and in return they would unearth and repair the cities super structure. You chose those who would serve your interests over the majority of the local inhabitants and left them with no protection against anyone who might claim salvage. And that is precisely what we have done Mr Woolsey, claimed salvage over this magnificent Ancient city."
"And that's the story you're going with is it?"
Nadier smiled smugly, "Of course Mr Woolsey. It is, after all, the truth."
Woolsey was no fool, from his many years in the courtroom he knew that a guilty suspect would never come out with the truth when a lie could not be disproved. After all it wasn't like they could expect him to confess when they could be recording the entire the conversation. Of course they were recording the entire conversation but it was always best to let the enemy think wonder consider they weren't and then let them run their mouth off. If there's one thing conquerors have in common it's a tendency to brag.
"So you claim. Yet the fact remains you are still holding people living on that planet prisoner for no reason and that is something we will not stand for."
"Now now Mr Woolsey, there is no need for threats. After all what right have you to attack us for liberating the locals from their oppressors?"
"And how have you come to the conclusion that the people you have taken hostage are oppressors?" asked Woolsey, with the emphasis on hostage.
"Simple Mr Woolsey, the majority of this world's inhabitants are being forced to endure poor living conditions while those who follow your wishes have been given the run of this city. Now I understand you must have some interest in getting them back after all they are loyal to you, so why don't we come to some arrangement?"
It suddenly occurred to Woolsey that he was not the only one who had ordered the conversation to be recorded, the Genii had as well. Such an innocent statement was clearly meant to trap him and be used against his people if he refused. But he could not just start hammering out an agreement right here.
"We will need confirmation first that the hostages are alive and well."
"Then if you give me a moment and I can bring you the so called leader of these people and she will confirm it for you."
"Not good enough, we need to talk to them face to face where they won't have to fear you hurting them."
"Oh how you insist on insulting me, but very well. Send some of your people along and they can see for themselves before the negotiations take place."
"Some of my people?" he enquired, sensing a catch.
"Oh yes Mr Woolsey, some of your people," replied Nadier grinning evilly. "You see you have insulted me and my people and so having you at the negotiations would rather sour the mood. But I am sure you have people who are just as capable at these negotiations. From what I understand you have a team charged with first contacts do you not?"
"You mean SGA-1." It was becoming all too clear what the good Commander's game was.
"Ah yes I think I have heard them called that, up till now I have only heard of their exploits and never personally met them. But I understand they have made many successful deals in the past with other worlds, why not add one more to tally?" he asked innocently.
The question may have seemed innocent but Woolsey could see the deeper implications. Nadier had them over a barrel and he was pushing his advantage as much as he could. The one thing that really gritted on his nerves was that he would have, and on occasion had, done exactly the same thing.
"Very well but they will require some time to gather and get ready to leave, shall we say six hours?"
"A little long don't you think, shall we say three?" said Nadier, once again pushing his advantage.
"Very well three," said Woolsey, albeit with some reluctance.
"Do make sure they are not late," smirked Nadier before signalling to cut the connection.
Kolumna – Control Room – Three hours later
The stargate activated as defence teams raised their weapons towards the shimmering event horizon, ever wary of the threat that might emerge. Re-materialising in an instant the puddle jumper shot out of the stargate, coming to a halt before landing gently on the gate room floor. The rear ramp was lowered briefly and then raised again before the puddle jumper rose once more. Triggering the roof hatch the small ship soared up through the jumper bay and out of the city, cloaking as she continued to gain altitude. And left behind in front of the deactivated stargate, having been obscured from view by the puddle jumper, unarmed, was the legendary SGA-1.
Commander Nadier, ever the proud conqueror, swaggered down the stairs to meet them.
"Ah, the famous SGA-1," he said, smiling for the numerous video camera's dotted around the room. "Such a pleasure to have you here."
SGA-1 kept their faces neutral in the presence of so many cameras.
"I take it you're broadcasting this to your followers around the galaxy?" enquired Sheppard.
"But of course. This is after all a momentous occasion for the Genii and I want all my people to share in it," was the smirked reply.
"A pity you don't have the ability to send it live, but ah well," McKay sniped.
Nadier chuckled in response. "Oh how you underestimate my people Doctor. This negotiation is currently being viewed by the entire Genii confederation. But there will be copies made available to you once we are done."
"First things first," said Sheppard. "We want to see Petra, as agreed."
"Oh your little lap dog will be here shortly," said Nadier, with a smirk. "But until then you'll have to wait, so why don't we take this elsewhere."
"I don't think so," replied Sheppard steely.
Nadier was still smiling but his tone was equally steely. "I'm afraid I'll have to insist."
Ronon growled softly, and his fingers clenched around the empty holster on his hip, causing Nadier to smirk again.
"Like I said, its not gonna happen. Our ship is standing by, they don't hear from and they will open fire. When we're done they'll come and get us but until then we're staying right here."
Nadier laughed, but he saw no harm in granting them this small victory.
"Very well, stand if you must." He turned and smiled when he saw Petra being brought in. "Ah Petra, how good of you to join us. Your masters have come to bargain for your release."
Petra opened her mouth to talk but held her tongue when she saw the pointed looks her friends were giving her.
"Petra," asked Teyla. "Are you and your people all right?"
Petra sighed, and they could see the tiredness in her eyes. "I am well and so are the rest of my people, to my knowledge."
"Do not worry," Teyla assured her. "Your people will be free soon enough."
"Well I think that's enough talking don't you?" said Nadier.
Teyla scowled slightly. Although this type of attitude had been expected from him it didn't mean they had to like it.
Nevertheless Teyla put on a brave face for Petra's sake. "Go back to your people Petra and tell them it will be alright."
"Indeed it will," added Nadier. "Once they give us what we want you'll be back at their beck and call in no time."
Petra scowled at him as she was led away by her guards.
Nadier smirked at her retreating form. "Now shall we get down to business?"
"What do you want?" Sheppard asked bluntly.
"What I want is for my people to be restored to the great power they once were," Nadier stated proudly.
"And what do you think the odds are of that happening when you go around conquering worlds and ignoring treaties?" sarcastically asked McKay.
But Nadier would not be brought down by the Doctor's impudent tone.
"Oh the lies you Lanteans insist on spreading about our noble cause. But no matter, either way you will provide us with what we want."
"And if we don't?"
"Then your willing servants on this world will not be returned to you," Nadier stated simply.
The threat was unspoken but it was still there. "But I am sure you are as eager as I to reach a compromise so let us get down to business."
"First things first I want a dozen of your invisible space ships."
"Not going to ask for all of them like Cowen did?" asked McKay.
"I am not a fool like Cowen, and have no intention of arguing over how many of those vessels you have in possession. Now shall we add the same number of your wonderful little power generators to list."
"What kind of generators?" asked McKay.
"Like the one upstairs that is powering this city."
"That all?" asked Sheppard.
"No, I also want you to include the design plans for them."
"And yes Doctor," Nadier added. "I believe my people are quite capable of figuring them out for ourselves, this will just speed up the process."
"I wasn't going to say a word," said McKay, seemingly surprisingly innocent.
"I'm sure," said Nadier, with a hint of sarcasm. "And lastly I'll take a block of C4 for every person we turn over to you."
"Remind me, just how many people do you have here?" asked Sheppard.
"Let's make it a nice round number, say one hundred?"
"One hundred blocks of C4," said Sheppard in a level tone.
"I think we have a deal," replied Nadier.
"So one hundred blocks of C4, a dozen puddle jumpers, a dozen generators and the plans for the generators," listed Teyla.
"Do you call those little space ships of yours puddle jumpers," asked Nadier.
"Indeed we do," said Sheppard.
"Then that is what I want for handing over your servants. Do we have a deal?"
"Please wait one moment," requested Sheppard.
"For what?"
Suddenly the tower was rocked by an explosion. As the noise quietened SGA-1 spoke in unison.
"I believe that answers both of your questions."
Before Nadier could speak his wrist communicator crackled into life.
"…Nadier. We are under attack. Repeat, Commander Nadier we are under attack. The Lanteans have destroyed the sensor shielding generator. Repeat. The Lanteans have destroyed the sensor shielding generator."
"Shoot them," shouted Nadier as he pointed an angry finger at the calm SGA-1.
The soldiers around the room immediately raised there weapons and opened fire on the defenceless team, filling the room with the deafening sound of gunfire. The windows behind them shattered as hundreds of bullets penetrated them. But when shooting stopped as magazines were emptied the team remained standing, unfazed and unharmed by the vicious assault, their outlines flickering slightly.
As the final spent round hit the floor the team looked through the open ceiling hatches to the sky above. Bewildered the Genii also looked up and saw a rectangular shape above descending towards them, getting larger and larger as it dropped lower and lower. And as the Genii watched the team once again spoke in unison.
"Ready or not, because here…"
As they momentarily paused to the shock of all present the shapes of the team slid together and began to change into the shape of a smirking dark haired woman.
"…I come," finished ISIS.
Atlantis - Control Room - Four hours ago
"Okay Ladon if we're going to do this we need information," said Sheppard. "What forces and equipment are we going to be going up against?"
"In his time here Nadier personally commanded an entire company of soldiers that are extremely loyal to him," replied Ladon. "From what I can gather he requisitioned a large amount of weaponry along with a subspace transmitter and a sensor shielding generator."
"How do these generators work exactly?" asked Rodney.
"They create a large electrical interference field which disrupts sensors," replied Ladon. "From previous experience we know they effectively block Wraith sensors."
"Well the sensors on the Weir are a lot more powerful than the Wraiths so they shouldn't present much of a problem."
"How long would it take the Weir to get there?" asked Sheppard.
Rodney shrugged. "At top speed, a few hours at most."
"You should know that Nadier will be expecting you to contact him soon," warned Ladon.
"Then I guess it'll be up to our resident diplomat to buy us some time," said Sheppard, turning to Woolsey.
"I'll see what I can do," he said.
Weir – Hyperspace – Three hours ago
The team were talking via subspace to Woolsey, who had just finished the opening negotiations with Nadier.
"I have good news and bad news," he said. "The good news is that he is willing to negotiate for the hostages. The bad news is that he wants you to be there, and he's expecting you in three hours."
"Ouch," winced Sheppard. "How did we end up in this mess?"
"Best I could do I'm afraid. He's in a position of power and he knows it, although luckily he's trying to act like his claim to the city is legitimate so he's not threatening the lives of the hostages."
"How does he convince people of this?" asked Teyla.
"Apparently he believes the city is Atlantis and that we abandoned it after it crashed on the planet. Supposedly we left the locals in charge of repairs and he is claiming salvage rights," Woolsey answered.
"The guy really doesn't understand how we do things," scoffed McKay.
"I hope you have a plan," said Woolsey.
"We'll arrive at the planet in a couple of hours. We'll decide on the final plan when we know what the situation is," said Sheppard.
Weir – Kolumnar Orbit – One hour ago
"Okay, what have we got?" asked Sheppard.
"The sensor shielding covering the city is having no effect on sensors," said ISIS. "However the field is preventing use of beaming technology but I believe I can approximate the location of the generator."
"Well so much for Plan A," said Sheppard. "Any ideas people?"
"Actually I think I might have one, but we need to contact Atlantis," said McKay.
"What are you thinking?"
"I say we do what we always do, go in and take out the bad guys."
"You sure you want to charge right in McKay?" asked Ronon. "Could get dangerous."
"There are at least an entire company of soldiers down there," added Teyla.
"Hey you me," said McKay. When the going gets tough I have a clever plan."
"You know we might get shot at right?" asked Sheppard.
"Hey that's the risk we take, besides I don't plan on going in guns blazing. If all goes well they won't even know we there until it's too late."
"Alright what's the plan?"
McKay turned to ISIS. "Think you can handle playing us for a little while?"
"I believe I have observed you all enough to play the parts convincingly enough," said ISIS. "But I will require the Commander's permission to temporarily use someone's image."
"Granted," said Sheppard.
When the puddle jumper came through the stargate in the Kolumna control room, unknown to the Genii, it was empty except for the pilot. But, as instructed, the pilot landed and opened and closed the hatch again. Behind the jumper ISIS appeared donning the disguise of the team, before the roof hatches opened and the jumper flew out of the city. When the ship reached a suitable height she cloaked and SGA-1 beamed in to the rear compartment.
As instructed the jumper descended to hover next to one of the balconies on the tower. The rear hatch lowered and the team bailed out ever wary of being spotted by the multiple machine nests scattered around the ruined city.
Making their way stealthily through the corridors the team quickly arrived near the Genii generator when McKay signalled for them to stop.
"What's up Rodney?" asked Sheppard.
Rodney held up his life signs detector. "There are two guards outside the generator room and a patrol nearby."
"Damn it, how close?"
"I'd say a couple of minutes away."
"Are you still disrupting their communications?" asked Teyla.
"Yes but it means our own radios are next to useless so we can't contact ISIS."
"Okay here's the plan. We take those guards down quietly then shut down the generator," said Sheppard. "ISIS can't stall for long."
"I'm on it," said Ronon, flicking his gun to stun mode.
He darted round the corner and shot both guards before they could even raise their weapons.
"We're clear."
Rodney ran into the generator room while the others took up positions along the corridor waiting for the patrol to arrive.
"Oh crap," said Rodney.
"McKay," shouted Sheppard, as he fired off another burst from his P90 at the enemy soldiers. "We don't have time for this. What's the problem?"
"This thing's alarmed. I just switch it off and the whole city will know we're here."
"Damn it." They were keeping the patrol pinned down for now but if the rest of the Genii were alerted to their presence the plan was screwed.
Sheppard ducked away from a burst of fire and pulled out a half block of C4, tossing it to McKay. "Place the charge and let's move it."
"Charge is set," said McKay as he backed out of the door, P90 spitting bullets at the patrol.
"Pull back," shouted Sheppard over the weapons fire from both sides. While Sheppard and McKay laid down cover fire Teyla and Ronon retreated back down the corridor.
As the team pulled back the Genii patrol advanced further down the corridor and as they reached the generator room Sheppard pulled out a remote detonator. Flicking open the safety catch he flicked the switch and pressed the button. When nothing happened he swore, realising the jammer that was affecting communications was screwing with the detonator signal. He pressed the button repeatedly until he was rewarded with a soft thump and a burst of flame shooting out of the generator room. The four man Genii patrol were caught in the blast wave and were sent flying across the corridor before coming to a bone crunching halt as they hit the opposite wall.
"Rodney, shut down the jammer."
When McKay gave him a thumbs up he tapped his ear piece. "ISIS, have you located the hostages?"
"Yes Commander, they are all aboard the Weir and the ship is entering the atmosphere as per your instructions."
"Bring us aboard and state our demands to the Genii."
"Aye Commander."
Kolumna – Control Room
"What are you?" asked Nadier.
"I am ISIS, and I am talking to you via hologram. I am here to offer you the terms of your surrender."
Nadier snarled. "And just why should we surrender when a moment ago we were discussing terms?"
"Without your generator the hostages you were holding have all been beamed aboard the Weir. As we speak your gun nests are being targeted by the weapons on the Weir for elimination. However it would be easier to simply destroy the entire city."
"You would not destroy your own city," stated Nadier with iron certainty.
A hologram of Petra suddenly appeared next to ISIS.
"I think you'll find that Kolumna is my city," she said. "And I want you out of it one way or another. So drop your weapons and surrender before I give them permission to open fire."
"You're bluffing."
"Minister Petra, do I have permission to fire a warning shot?" asked ISIS.
"Granted," said Petra with zeal.
Before any of the Genii in the room could react a single shot from a railgun travelled through the open hanger doors and hit the gate room floor, not two metres from Nadier's feet and knocking him backwards. When he finally pulled himself to his feet his was visibly shaking.
"As you can see," said ISIS. "I am more than capable of eliminating you with ease if need be, and without much damage to the city. However if it is Minister Petra's wish I will destroy the entire city to guarantee your removal. My commander would prefer that you surrender, so drop your weapons and prepare to receive armed marines."
A scowling Nadier spat blood at their feet before tossing his pistol on the floor, the rest of the Genii present following suit.
"Attention all forces," he said into his communicator. "Drop your weapons and surrender to the Lantean forces as they find you, that's an order."
"Thank you," said ISIS.
"Marines are beaming down now," she added as said marines poured into the room from all entrances.
"I'll be taking my city back now," said a gloating Petra as Nadier was restrained and dragged away.