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.
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
AlexanderD: Your not the only one with suspisions but i'm not saying a word. I've been planning the Averians introduction into the story almost since the beginning, admittedly in a slightly different way but i like this one better, now i finally get to write about them.
Shadow of Realm: I will not say a word until the final reveal, until then you'll just have to wait and see. Glad you like Sovaer.
Andriabow: Glad you're enjoying it. I hope you like the new chapter.
The Averian people's history could be described in many ways; full, rich, lively and occasionally troubled. To the majority of the Pegasus galaxies inhabitants however their history could be summarised rather simply, they were lucky. If an individual were asked to elaborate then they were very lucky. If pressed for further details then they were very very lucky. If you actually got them to explain why then you would learn that the Averian's were members of a very small group in the Pegasus galaxy, they had never once been culled by the Wraith. Never had their planet fallen under the fearful gaze of the Wraith, no hive had ever approached, no cruiser had ever come close and no dart had ever scouted the planet. Throughout their known history not one single Wraith had stepped foot on the soil of the world that was now known as Averia.
To gain a better perspective of them however you would have to look more closely at the details of their situation. One detail always comes into play, location. Location, location, location, it almost always comes down to location, and the Averian's had a truly wonderful location. Averia was on the outskirts of the Pegasus galaxy, in an area where space was truly vast and habitable systems were far and few in between, far from prying eyes and far from the hunting grounds of the Wraith. In one system seeded with life so long ago the Averian people had come together to build a mighty society, a society that had risen to much the same point as a twenty first century Earth, and one day everything had changed. Unlike Earth Averia possessed a natural resource of great power and potential, naquadah. Beneath the planets surface were several veins of this precious natural resource that allowed the Averian's to begin experimenting in new methods of power generation. On the day that the first naquadah power generator was successfully tested the scientists that created it celebrated their achievement. Not knowing that they would shortly be given a whole new reason to celebrate.
Deep within a lone mountain, sensors that had silently monitoring the civilisation over the millennia registered the massive amount of power being produced by a single relatively small generator. Compelled by commands left by a small band of scientists that had long since passed from this plain of existence the facility began to power up. Conduits that had previously only been drawing the smallest amount of power began to operate at a near maximum capacity for the first time in over ten thousand years. System checks were ran and the results noted, power levels were registered, the facilities version of a chronometer was checked and the time that the facility had been dormant was registered, and an automated message was sent.
In the lab where the scientists that had created the planets first naquadah generator a hologram of dark haired woman and a map appeared, bringing the celebrations to a halt.
"Greetings," said the woman. "For many years now you have been watched in the hope that your people would progress to the point where you would be capable of understanding the great truth I have to tell you. Now that you have reached the point where you can harness this worlds most precious resource to benefit your society it is clear that you are ready. Millennia ago my people seeded this galaxy with life, and you are one such example of that life that eventually evolved. But what we could not foresee was one particular form of life that would evolve, a species known as the Wraith. Like a great horror emerging from the dark they spread their tendrils deeper and deeper into the galaxy. The Wraith fed on humans, gaining strength and longevity for every life they took. My people fought the Wraith and for a time it seemed like we were winning and we pushed deeper and deeper into their territory. Some ships were lost but many Wraith ships were destroyed and their stranglehold on many worlds was loosened. But just when it seemed like we would finally win the day the Wraith horde re-emerged stronger than ever. Entire armadas of ships emerged from the dark to confront our own, forcing them to retreat more often than not so that we could converse our numbers. More and more human worlds were lost as the Wraith tide surged forwards and eventually all but one world was lost to us. On the great city known as Atlantis my people made their final stand, we would hold that world while the rest of our people gathered there so that we might retreat and some day return. Some of us felt that this was unacceptable and that we might never return to liberate this galaxy so we made preparations. On this world that you call home we built an Ark of knowledge. In this Ark we placed the most basic of our knowledge in the hope that you would one day be capable of using it to fight the Wraith threat should we not have returned. If you are seeing this message then we have not returned and it is up to you to free this galaxy. But we warn you, be careful and cautious for the enemy you face is more dangerous than you know. Find the Ark, and you will see the face of the enemy."
The message had kept on repeating over and over until a shaft to the Ark had been dug and the corridors traversed for the first time in ten thousand years. Inside they would eventually find a treasure trove of information. Information on the war against the Wraith, the basic hull designs for a transport ship of the Ancients own design and the barest hints at the designs for plasma weapons, hyperdrive's, shields and mini drones were all amongst the data found. And in a room right near the entrance to the Ark was one of the Ancients greatest creations, a working stargate. To the casual observer this gate looked like any other stargate in the Pegasus galaxy but further inspection of the database would show that this particular stargate had one exception to it. While anyone could dial out and successfully establish a wormhole no one could dial in. The planetary address had been locked out of the gate network for the sake of security and the only dialling crystal capable of establishing a connection was in the Atlantis DHD. Combing through the database they eventually found that in the Ancients language the word for ark was averia. They decided to name their world Averia and became known as the Averian's.
Over time they would begin to expand their influence, conquer space travel, traverse hyperspace and see new worlds. One of those worlds was found in the database, listed under potential hiding places from the Wraith provided the atmosphere could be kept at bay. It was on this world that they found a culture also hidden from the Wraith and yet still fighting for their very survival, the Vanir.
Vanir City – Conference Room
The meeting had been going on for some time now and in that time glimpses had been shown of both the Tau'ri and Averian societies. Secrecy was of course an important thing to both sides, they wanted to keep their personal strengths apparent but deep in shadow so that neither side would try to risk attacking the other and taking what the other possessed. Diplomacy was a tricky thing when conducted between two space capable societies who both have the need to advance rapidly in the face of a great threat. Of course neither side were considering attacking the other, they would rather have friends than another powerful enemy to take on, but caution was something deeply engrained into both races, as was fear. Both sides suspected their were some things the other side weren't telling them and wondered what they were, but both sides also knew when to leave well enough alone for the sake of friendship because there are some things people just don't want to talk about and would rather leave in the past.
Having given each other the information that they chose to give and having already given hints as to their technological and military capabilities the conversations now turned to other topics. Wishes for a non-aggression pact were voiced, outlines of territories were also politely requested and interest in seeing each others homes were also expressed. Once again though the need for secrecy and a certain amount of distrust on both sides, at least for the present time, was politely expressed as the Vanir research was still being investigated by the Asgard.
The real moment of interest though came with a surprise transmission from Atlantis through the stargate.
"Colonel Sheppard," said the voice of Chuck over the radio. "Echidna is requesting permission to join you immediately."
Sheppard turned to the assembled delegates.
"It seems you'll be able to meet the Matriarch sooner than we thought. She's requesting permission to join us."
"I'll send a message to the Vanir guards that a foreign delegate is wishing to join us," said Jakose. "That should speed things along."
"Thank you," Woolsey replied curtly.
"Chuck," said Sheppard, speaking into his ear wig. "Standby and tell Echidna that she'll be able to join us shortly."
"Understood."
When Echidna finally walked through the conference room doors, escorted by two Vanir guards, the shock on the Averian's faces was apparent. The three of them had probably never seen a Wraith in the flesh before, let alone a queen. Echidna was an imposing figure when she was in a bad mood, and clearly being delayed hadn't helped improve her attitude.
She immediately turned to Sheppard, ignoring everyone else.
"I need to speak to you," she said in a tone that allowed for no argument. "Alone."
Woolsey raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"This does not concern you," Echidna snapped. "It is a military matter."
"You found them," said Sheppard in a low voice.
"If I may, found who?" asked Jakose, although by the look on his face he clearly had his suspicions.
"You may not," Echidna replied testily. "This is a Wraith problem and if I could help it then it would stay that way."
"You found them didn't you," said Jakose, calm in the face of Echidna's anger. "The ones that would not accept the cure."
"What do you know of such things?" asked Echidna.
"Only that not all Wraith accepted the cure."
"Then stay out of matters that you know nothing about," she shot back angrily.
"How strong are they?" asked Sheppard, trying to divert the Matriarch's anger.
"Strong enough that I can not do this alone," she replied with resentment in her voice. "Stronger than I hoped they would be."
"Do you have sensor readings?"
"Yes, but the picture is not clear. We do not know of the exact numbers of ships they possess."
"You realise that it's safe to assume that they don't have their entire fleet deployed where we can see it right?"
"I do," Echidna begrudgingly admitted.
"Then you're going to need all the help you can get besides us and the Asgard," Sheppard said calmly.
"I did not say I wanted the Asgard's help," Echidna snapped.
"Well too bad because the Asgard are the only ones with the tracking capabilities to find those ships if they try to make a break for it," Sheppard retorted. "Besides we need all the help we can get."
"Then might I offer something," said Jakose calmly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"The more ships you have then the better chances you have of ending this threat once and for all. I propose that Admiral Durra and a fleet of Averian warships accompany you so that we can wipe out the Wraith threat once and for all."
Everyone one was silent as they processed this. More ships would greatly improve the odds they had of destroying the Wraith stronghold once and for all.
"What interest do you have in this battle?" Echidna asked sceptically.
"We Averian's have been preparing to fight the Wraith for a long time now. While others have started the fight in our stead we intend to see that it ends with a satisfactory conclusion," replied Jakose.
"How powerful are your ships?"
"From what we've seen they're quite capable," said Sheppard answering for them. "How many can you send?"
"I believe that is a question for Admiral Durra to answer," said Jakose.
"If I have permission I could take along my entire assault force," said Durra, receiving a nod from the Minister. "In which case I'll have fifty warships to bring to the fight."
The Tau'ri, and even Echidna, was surprised at that. It was certainly a powerful force for a people in the Pegasus galaxy to have at their disposal with the Wraith threat in the past ten thousand years. The Averian's must have been preparing for quite some time to have that kind of force at the ready.
The Averian's could no longer stick to their plan of biding their time, building up their strength. They had suddenly found themselves in a changing galaxy. With the return of their long lost brothers the Vanir no longer needed their protection. The Tau'ri had emerged as a new power and just five years after stumbling onto the stage they had completely changed life in the Pegasus galaxy. While the Averian's had been building a sizeable fleet outfitted with their greatest technology to date the Tau'ri had been fighting the war that they had promised to someday fight. True the Wraith suddenly emerging from hibernation in force had shaken the board but the number of pieces hadn't really changed. But now though some of the pieces had switched sides and the Wraith had become an ally rather than an enemy. The only thing left was to finish sweeping up the last of the enemy pieces that remained.
The enemy had been found, the allied pieces were moving into position and with one sweep they hoped to end it. In the past the Averian people had been found wanting, but this time they would stand tall and proud alongside their new allies and finish the fight once and for all.
O'Neill – Bridge
The Asgard warship had been chosen for this strategy meeting between the four races who had allied themselves against the rogue Wraith. Featuring state of the art imaging systems the holographic display tank on the bridge offered them an excellent way to plan their assault on the Wraith stronghold. Present were Thor, Echidna, Sheppard, McKay and Durra. Colonel's Ellis and Caldwell had joined the group once their ships had arrived and joined the rest of the fleet over the Vanir homeworld.
"Well they certainly weren't planning on making it easy for us," said Sheppard.
The others couldn't help but agree, stronghold was certainly an appropriate choice of words for this system. From what their long range scans using Asgard sensors had shown they would be looking at a tough fight even with the large fleet they had with them. The planet was giving off large power emissions and from what they could tell there were multiple objects brimming with power. If there fears were anything to go by then these were anti-ship weapons ready to fire at anything that made an attempt to get close to the planet. Scans also gave indications of large structures where the enemy hive mind seemed more concentrated. Grouped in there own area were hundreds of small buildings that seemed to be acting in as fences around vast fields of land. A more focused scan directed at this area had indicated hints of naquadah and the energy emissions from a stargate from inside a large structure at the centre of the fields. Presumably it had been brought in after the planet was settled on by the Wraith as the address was not in the Atlantis database.
"Those smaller power signatures are probably anti-ship weapons," said McKay. "If that's correct then they have hundreds of weapons protecting their facilities."
"Can we really take on that many orbital weapons?" asked Caldwell, having had more ship to ship combat experience against the Wraith than anyone.
"My ships should be able to bring enough fire power to bear to deal with them," said Durra. "However if they target our ships before hand then we will take a lot of damage."
"From what we can tell those weapons would be as powerful as a hive," said McKay. "They should be able to take down your shields in seven shots. If they group their fire then you could lose a lot of your ships."
"Our sensors should be able to get an accurate fix on the weapons once we're in system," said Ellis. "If we paint the targets before hand we should be able to target them all without letting them fire off more than a single volley in return."
"That means we'll be leaving the entire lot for our ion and plasma cannons," said Sheppard.
"We'll save the nukes for sweep up afterwards," said Caldwell. "That means our battle cruisers will have to stay back and engage the ships. Our weapons are better used against the hives and darts."
"Speaking of the hives and darts, not to mention the cruisers," said Thor. "How are we going to deal with all of them?"
The Asgard had raised a valid point the word fleet wasn't something you could easily apply to the sheer number of ships around the system, not when the word armada was up for consideration. What they could see were sixty hive ships and swarms of darts patrolling the area only to land again on the planet. Now presumably this meant that the hives themselves had a full compliment of darts onboard which was at least ten thousand, which brought the count to well over six hundred thousand darts. Then there were the cruisers dotted around the system again in fleets of their own, because they were clustered together it was hard to tell just how many there were but it appeared to be in the region of at least nine hundred. If these cruisers also held thirty darts each then that was an extra twenty seven darts to throw into the mix. Clearly the Wraith had been building up their forces since they were awoken from hibernation. To make matters worse though there were numerous moons around the other planetoids that showed signs having of defensive emplacements placed on them.
"The hive ships are grouped together around the planet," said Durra. "This means that if we want to get at them and their base of operations we'll have to go through the defensive screen around them. Once we attack them in force then their forces are going to converge on us."
"Unfortunately attacking them in force may be the only option we have," said Thor. "While we posses the stealth technology necessary to attack them from multiple points we cannot attack both the fleet and the planet at the same time without serious losses."
"So what do you suggest?" asked Sheppard.
"We need to deal with the fleet first, once destroyed we can bombard the planet at our leisure to deal with the rest," Thor stated simply.
"I think we are forgetting something important," said Echidna.
"What are we forgetting?" asked Ellis.
"My son," Echidna spat.
"If we bombard the planet we'll kill him too," said Sheppard. "We have to get him out of there."
"If we try a rescue mission the other Wraith could escape or worse we could be destroyed," Ellis stated bluntly.
"The only reason I am accepting your help is so that my son will be rescued," Echidna replied, equally blunt. "If you will not help me then you will stay out of this or there will be no alliance between us."
"We owe it to Todd," added Sheppard. "Without him we could be in a much worse position than we are now."
"Then we need a new plan," said Ellis.
"I think I have one," said Sheppard. "The first step involves a small team breaking in to the facility where he's being held and finding him. Once we have him we can beam the team out and Todd with them."
"What kind of team did you have in mind?" asked Echidna.
"It'll have to be a small team otherwise they'll be discovered in no time. That's why I recommend mine."
Vanir city – Sovaer's personal quarters
"Its funny how much the galaxy changed since we met the Vanir JJ," said Sovaer. "Just think we would still be gearing up for war with the Wraith."
"We still are getting ready for war Aerin," said Jovin Jakose, as he graciously accepted the glass of wine being handed to him.
"True but at least we know where the enemy is this time, just think by tomorrow the war with the Wraith could be over. Did you actually think we'd get to see it in our lifetime?"
Jovin snorted. "Not with the amount of stress you put me under, it's your fault my hairs grey."
Aerin pretended to look offended. "How do you think I felt when I suddenly saw you, I thought I'd been in stasis for decades."
"Oh ha ha very funny," said Jovin while his old friend laughed. "You know I was only a few years older than you when you went in. Now look at you, you spent so much time in stasis and I spent so much time worrying that I could be your father."
"You didn't spend all your time worrying did you old friend," said Aerin. "I'm not sure what was more of a shock, your new face or your new title."
"It was easy really," said Jovin dismissively. "With you in stasis I suddenly found myself with a lot of free time since I didn't have to keep an eye on you."
"Please," said Aerin disbelievingly. "You just wanted me to have to call you sir at official functions when I finally got out."
"I never had any doubt you would my friend."
"I know old friend. I know."
"Your position certainly comes with some advantages," Jovin remarked, referring to large window that offered a view of a lush valley.
"It certainly is very realistic isn't it? Still it's hardly surprising that the Vanir would think of such a thing. You might go mad having to look at the same walls all the time."
"If I didn't know any better I would think you begged for the job simply for the view."
The two old friends were interrupted by a chime, indicating that someone was at the door.
"Come in," called Aerin.
The door swished open to reveal Admiral Durra.
"Ah Admiral," said Aerin. "I'm guessing you're here to see the Minister so I won't offer you a glass of wine or call you Bovin."
Bovin smirked at the Vanir liason, "You would be correct."
He turned to the Minister who had put down his glass, his face becoming serious.
"What stage are we at?" Jakose asked.
"We've finalised plans for the attack sir," said Durra.
"What do you think of them?"
"Its bold sir but I think it has a good chance of success, if all goes well."
"What's on your mind Admiral?" Jakose asked, sensing there was something troubling him.
"Well sir," said Durra hesitantly. "The first part of the plan is a search and rescue, although we're relatively certain we know were the captive is there's still a certain amount of risk involved."
"Who is the captive?"
"Echidna's son."
Both Jakose and Sovaer grimaced at that.
"Well this certainly complicates things," said Sovaer. "What's the plan for getting him out?"
"A four person team will infiltrate the facility where he is being held, once they have him they'll beam him and the team out."
"Four people, it's definitely risky," Sovaer commented, his own glass now long discarded.
"Large numbers would mean they are more likely to be detected," explained Durra. "The plan requires the Wraith to not know about our presence until the last possible moment."
"Would they allow for one more person?" Sovaer asked seriously.
"I think so," said Durra.
"Do you want to volunteer?" he asked jokingly.
"Actually yes."
"What?" asked Jakose disbelievingly. "You can't be serious."
"You know the benefits better than I do if this goes well," Sovaer reasoned. "Besides you know that having me there will improve the odds in our favour."
"You're mad," Jakose stated.
"I agree sir. But he does have a point," Durra admitted.
Jakose sighed.
"At this rate I'm going to go bald," he muttered. "Fine, but if you don't come back alive I'll kill you."
"Why is it always us?" Rodney wondered aloud.
"What do you mean why is it always us?" John asked from the helm of the puddle jumper.
"I mean why is it always us that always goes on these missions that, which if successful, can have wonderful benefits but seem borderline insane?"
The rest of his team all thought about this for a moment. Arguably he did have a point, it usually was them who ended up on the wacky missions that could decide the fate of large numbers of people. And you had to wonder why it had to be them that were flying in a cloaked puddle jumper to the place where they had been told Todd was being held while sneaking past a frighteningly large Wraith armada. Surely they had done this kind of thing enough times already? Or maybe that was the problem.
"Because we've done this thing more than anyone else and experience makes things easier," said John as he concentrated on staying out of the way of yet another patrol of darts around the planet they were heading for.
"Do not worry Rodney," Teyla added. "You will have us to keep an eye on you."
Beside her Ronon nodded.
"And you'll have me too," Sovaer chipped in from his seat in the back of the jumper. "So it's not like it's just you."
"You know," said Rodney. "While I'm grateful for the back up I have to ask, why are you here?"
Sovaer pretended to look slightly offended at the remark.
"Is it not the duty of allies to help one another?" he replied innocently.
"Yes, but I thought the fleet your people were contributing covered that one rather nicely."
"True but my people have been preparing for a day like this for a long time now."
McKay snorted. "So why not have some of your soldiers join us?"
"I have been through the same training as our soldiers have, plus I volunteered."
"What makes you so special?"
When Sovaer stayed silent Sheppard decided to pitch in to alleviate the tension.
"And what better way to make friends with the Wraith than by helping save the Matriarchs son, right Sovaer?" he asked jokingly.
Sovaer smirked in return. "No doubt the reason the Minister let me come along in the first place."
"Well get ready," said Sheppard as the small ship dove in the planets atmosphere. "Because we're here already."
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