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 would like to thank AlexanderD for all his help and i strongly recomend reading his story New Dawn. I hope he likes the character named after him Admiral Alec Xander.
For those of you interested in what some of the ships featured in this story look like here are a few sketches on photobucket: albums/ae166/Senrab_Nomis/
Please review and i will respond. Or alternatively post in the thread for this story in my forum. topic/84023/35075481/1/
Review Responses
AlexanderD: Zarin is the variable in the equation. On the one hand he is a maniacal, prideful, cruel and a meglomaniac. On the other hand though he is also a viscous, ambitious, cunning, underhand and cut throat individual. Not someone to be taken lightly. Borealis is going to be a major headache for Zarin when it comes to putting the base ship to full use.
Cdoctor: Wait no longer.
Oddliver: For the moment she will remain a secret, acting in a support role. But that won't be forever.
Just A Crazy-Man: Thank you.
Osced: That was the idea, primarily a support ship but also capable of getting stuck in if necessary.
Naginator: Thank you.
kiska: Thank you.
Monsterjeffbuk: The moment you have been waiting for has arrived.
stormwolf3710: I will never forget that important rule of cloning, even though a lot of other sci-fi seems to. In this case it actually works quite well for the Tok'ra since they don't have to share a body anymore if they take clone hosts. Hit and run will be used more effectively later on, for now both sides are playing hide and seek.
BIG Z1776: The allies are still looking at a few worries. They realise the Zarasians haven't revealed everything they have available to them simply because it doesn't seem logical that that is all they have.
Ruby Pena: Thank you.
Weir
"Commander we are receiving a priority one message from Borealis," ISIS said.
"Show me," Sheppard ordered.
A holographic screen appeared in front of him and displayed the report sent by Davis. It looked like they had finally discovered the Zarasians middle game. A pity they didn't know the full extent of what their opening moves had been.
There were currently two strike groups heading on different courses to different system clusters, both of which were reasonably far away from each other. This actually played right into their hands since the Jaffa and Liberum were in striking range of both clusters but wouldn't be too near to one another as a result. If they played things right they effectively stall the Zarasians from expanding their flanks any further, which is what appeared to be happening according to the sensor data. The question though was who to dispatch where, though in reality there was no question at all. The Jaffa hyperdrives didn't have the speed to scout so many systems at once while maintaining force strength, so they would be better off taking the smaller of the two clusters. That left the Liberum to take the larger cluster.
"Contact the Liberum and Jaffa," Sheppard ordered. "Inform them of the presence of Zarasian strike groups and their predicted courses. Have them scout the systems and report back before moving onto the next."
If all went well neither group would find anything of note to give the Alliance any concern. Of course if he were that lucky he might as well ask for Zarin to turn up so that he could cut off the head and effectively shatter the Zarasian command structure in one foul swoop. Nah, he wasn't that lucky.
"You think they're going to find something don't you," Rodney said.
John looked at him. Was he really that easy to read? Or maybe it was the other option.
"Why do you?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"It's a possibility," Rodney replied.
"Yeah it is," Sheppard agreed.
Jaffa Fleet
On the fleet flagship Bra'tac studied the tactical information sent to him by their allies. He certainly had the easier of the two tasks and that was what troubled him. He didn't object, he was perfectly content to take whatever task needed to be done but he was worried about the situation the Liberum were in. Having to canvas so many systems was not an easy task when you had only a few ships at your disposal. Admittedly with their incredibly powerful hyperdrives it was easy but the problem was covering the system, or systems, the Zarasians would choose to visit. Even worse was the fact that the Zarasians displayed such large fleet numbers that they could potentially hit every single one of these systems in short order. That was something that needed to be dealt with. The one positive aspect was that the systems he had been tasked with could be travelled to by the Zarasians several times over before even reaching a single one of the Liberum systems. This fact gave him the starting point for an idea on just how to deal with this situation.
"Teal'c," Bra'tac said. "What do you make of the situation?"
"We cannot allow the Zarasians to capture these systems," Teal'c replied. "But I am more worried about the Liberum. If the Zarasians commit enough forces to this attack they could quickly take over multiple systems and solidify their position. Once that happens the Liberum would not be able to commit enough forces to retake one without compromising the security of the others."
Bra'tac knew his friend was correct, there were nearly a dozen systems in that cluster and they were quite close together. Even with the Jaffa hyperdrives it would be easy to hop between them. The key factor in defending them was preventing the enemy from gaining a substantial foothold. Just one of those systems needed to have a habitable world with a stargate for them to establish a base and then begin to leverage control of the entire cluster.
"How are the modifications to the fleet progressing?" Bra'tac asked.
Teal'c grinned. "They will be ready before the Zarasians arrive."
"Split the fleet in two," Bra'tac ordered. "You shall take the carriers to one system while I take the destroyers to another."
"Which system would you like me to take?" Teal'c asked.
"The Tau'ri told us that they have a gate address for only one of the systems, I shall take that one. I want to keep our fighter carrying ability a surprise for now and I suspect they will likely travel to the system with the stargate first."
"Good luck old man," Teal'c said with a smile
"Good luck to you older man," Bra'tac replied with a smile of his own.
Bra'tac's Fleet
Several hours had passed since the fleet had separated to scout the two systems. Now the task was complete and they were awaiting the arrival of the Zarasian ships. Bra'tac knew that his eight vessels were more than a match for the meagre five he would face but the Zarasians did not have the luxury of such knowledge and that would cost them dearly when the opening shots were fired.
Before that could happen though they would need to present the ruse of having no involvement with the Alliance and being an entirely separate entity. All of which was a part of the overall battle plan that the allies had laid down. However if it was to be believed then he would have to pretend to be a Pegasus native. He hoped his acting would be up to task.
Teal'c had successfully scouted out his system and found no worlds capable of supporting life. He on the other hand had found a single world with this galaxy's model of a stargate on it but no signs of life apart from wild animals.
Around him on the bridge of his flagship Jaffa were manning their stations, waiting with baited breath. Chairs had been a very welcome addition to the bridge fittings.
"Master Bra'tac a hyperspace window is opening," said a crewman.
"Raise shields on all vessels," Bra'tac ordered. "Send an encrypted message to the other fleet telling them the Zarasians have arrived here."
"Transmission is being sent."
"Five Zarasian strike craft emerging from hyperspace, they have powered shields."
"Open a channel," Bra'tac ordered.
"Channel open."
"Attention unknown vessels," Bra'tac said. "You have entered the territory of the Free Jaffa Nation. Any hostile action will result in your immediate destruction. State your identity."
The Zarasian ships simply sat where they were. Their weapons and shields were still powered but they had not made a single move.
"State your identity," Bra'tac repeated.
The Zarasians still made no action to even suggest that they had received the transmission. Bra'tac narrowed his eyes, he didn't like the fact they weren't making a move. It was time to provoke a reaction.
"Power our forward weapons to maximum," he ordered.
Power flowed from the ship's primary and secondary generators to the forward weapons. With this much power flowing into them they would be capable of firing at their maximum rate. If the Zarasian strike craft were foolish enough to engage them in combat then they would be annihilated. One on one a type D or C could destroy a Zarasian strike craft with a single volley. It seemed though that whoever was in command of that small fleet was not foolish enough to take a clearly superior force. The Zarasian vessels quickly jumped to hyperspace and fled the system.
Several hours later the sensors of Borealis detected a much larger fleet of Zarasian vessels heading towards the system where Bra'tac's vessels had had their stand off with the strike force. It wouldn't be long before the Jaffa and Zarasians came to blows.
Unknown Location
"The Free Jaffa Nation," Zarin said, repeating what he had just been told. "Interesting. You have the tactical report on their capabilities?"
"Our vessels were able to attain scans of their power emissions before retreating," said the underling, handing Zarin a data pad with the information.
"Strange vessels," Zarin noted, scrolling through the data. "But they seem to be capable certainly."
For a few minutes his eyes glowed red and his gaze became distant. Then he focused on his surroundings as the glow died away.
"It is time to say hello to the Free Jaffa Nation," he said with a predatory grin.
A hyperspace window opened in front of the eight Jaffa ships. From it emerged fifty Zarasian strike craft. They immediately raised their shields and powered their weapons and the Jaffa vessels did the same. Bra'tac could see the logic in the choice of numbers. With six plasma cannons on each of the strike craft they were capable of dispatching all eight destroyers in a single volley, even if the Jaffa destroyed eight of their number in return. What surprised him though was the Zarasians had not attacked yet. Once again they were sitting in the distance and not making a single aggressive move aside from their very presence.
"Master Bra'tac we are receiving a transmission from the enemy fleet," a crewman reported.
"Which ship?" Bra'tac asked.
"It appears to be coming from every ship simultaneously," said the crewman. "I believe the fleet is being used as a relay for the transmission."
"On screen," Bra'tac ordered.
The holographic viewing screen powered up and displayed the face of the most infamous individual in the whole of the Pegasus galaxy, Zarin.
"I am Etere Zarin of the Zarasian Empire," Zarin stated. "This system is in space claimed by the Zarasian Empire. Leave now and you will not be destroyed."
"I am Master Bra'tac of the Free Jaffa Nation," Bra'tac replied. "My people have fought long and hard to achieve our freedom. We will not be threatened by anyone, especially not those who would try to claim one of our worlds."
"My scans reveal you have no presence on this world Jaffa. You have no claim over this world."
"You have no more claim over this world than we do. If it is a new world you seek look elsewhere, we were here first. The Wraith could not stop our rise to power and neither will you."
Zarin narrowed his eyes. "The Wraith are no longer a threat to anyone and you are outmatched. If you wish to live I suggest you leave now."
"The Wraith have been the scourge of this galaxy for ten thousand years. You cannot deny the power of a race that could defeat the ancestors. But if they could not stop our rise to power do you really wish to make us your enemy."
"I fear no one and you are trying my patience even though I am trying to be kind to you. Next time we meet if you bring more ships then maybe you can claim another world but this one is mine."
"Goodbye Etere Zarin," Bra'tac said as his ships powered their hyperdrives. "Next time you face us you will not underestimate us."
"Oh I know exactly what you are capable of Master Bra'tac," Zarin replied mockingly.
"Indeed?" Bra'tac said with a smirk, as his ships jumped into hyperspace.
As he spoke that final word sixteen ships de-cloaked behind the Zarasian fleet, boxing them in. These ships were the type C's under the command of Teal'c and they immediately opened fire on the Zarasian ships.
Sixteen strike craft were hit from the first volley, immediately losing their shields and succumbing to the intense firepower. They died quick, fiery deaths and found themselves lacking in a suitable response. Their troubles only got worse as the ships of Bra'tac's fleet suddenly emerged from their brief hyperspace jump to add their own firepower to the mix. Another eight vessels quickly joined the others as debris scattered across space.
The Zarasian strike craft began to scatter as they realised they had been ambushed. The Jaffa pressed their attack though and continued forwards into the middle of the formation. A truly successful ambush can be absolutely devastating if pulled off correctly but it does rely on several key points. You need to be able to deliver the maximum amount of firepower to wipe out the enemy in a single go, enough to render them incapable of inflicting significant damage or keep them off balance so that they cannot mount a successful counterattack. With the appearance of the additional vessels the Jaffa's stamina had doubled and their firepower tripled but the Zarasians could still inflict significant damage. So that left the third option, keep the enemy off balance.
Pushing deep into the heart of the formation, where the enemy couldn't get at them due to their forward facing firepower, the kill count began to rise quickly. The destroyers led the way, using their superior shields to act as the spear head of the attack and protect the lesser defended carriers. The Zarasians had apparently had enough of fighting against the superior armed foe and attempted to make a break for it before they succumbed to the same fate as the other wrecks now littering the system.
Only seven vessels were fortunate enough to escape from the ambush and sensor readings from Borealis would show they fled back the way they had come.
Unknown Location
Zarin roared with anger when he read the report on the encounter with the Jaffa. Cloaking technology! It seemed that every single race in this galaxy or the next seemed to have developed cloaking technology and yet it was the one thing his scientists had never been able to develop. The Averians had cloaking technology, the Tau'ri had displayed it and presumably those Asgard even had it and now so did these strange Jaffa who had gold tattoos on their heads. It seemed this technology was going to cost him dearly.
What really annoyed him though was that yet another upstart race had been discovered that would have to be put down if he was to finally conquer the whole galaxy. It seemed like he could literally trip and discover another race that had managed to grow strong without the Wraith dragging them down. The alien Tau'ri and the Asgard were bad enough but a race that had grown strong in the shadow of the Wraith was worrying.
He sighed in an attempt to calm himself. He had another patrol group that would shortly reach another system cluster, one much richer than that the Jaffa had claimed. Hopefully he would be able to find something of value there, perhaps a world rich in resources or maybe even a human world that he could conquer and bring into the fold. If it turned out that he discovered another evacuated world then he would be very, very annoyed.
He might even take his wrath out on his little pet Eurielle.
Weir
"Well this is certainly going to change matters," John noted.
"I'm amazed they were able to pull it off at all," Rodney added. "They were taking one hell of a risk."
"How did they get cloaking technology on those ships anyway?" John asked.
"I think they must have brought the cloaks with the rest of the equipment they brought with them," Rodney replied.
"I thought it wasn't possible to cloak something as large as a Ha'tak with their technology," John said.
"That was certainly true with the old Ha'tak designs but the new versions make up for the one shortcoming that made it impossible," Rodney explained. "The Jaffa already had viable cloaking technology but lacked sufficient power to make it work on something as large as a Ha'tak. However with the additional generators to power the device it is now possible."
"We never thought about giving the type D's cloaking technology," John noted. "Maybe we should have."
"Looks like we didn't need to," Rodney said. "Although I suppose this can be seen as a good thing."
"How?"
"It means they're progressing as a people," Rodney explained. "They came up with the idea on their own because they saw that it would be a good thing and that it was actually possible. This is what we've been aiming for when we first tried to free the Jaffa from slavery."
"Yeah you're right," John admitted. "What I'm worried about though is that they might have gone too far."
"Sir we have the Jaffa fleet on comms," a crewman reported.
"Speak of the devil, put it on," John ordered.
The holographic view screen activated and showed the image of Bra'tac and Teal'c.
"Hello boys," John said. "I hear you guys have had a fun time."
Both Jaffa smiled at the memory.
"The Zarasians fell right into our trap," Bra'tac said.
"We were able to repulse them from this system and they never suspected a thing," Teal'c added.
"Nice little addition those cloaks of yours," John said. "I have to admit I didn't see that one coming."
"Neither did Zarin," Teal'c replied with a smirk.
John raised an eyebrow. "Zarin was there?"
"Not in person but I had a conversation with him using his fleet as a relay," Bra'tac explained.
"So how did that conversation go?" Rodney asked.
"He told us to leave his system and never come back," Bra'tac said.
"He actually gave you a choice then," John said. "Well that was generous of him."
"Indeed," Teal'c said. "It seems he did not want to make another enemy if he could avoid it."
"Shame that wasn't his choice," John noted.
"I see what you meant about him Colonel," Bra'tac said. "He is not a foe to be underestimated. He thinks about his moves carefully and does not needlessly waste his forces."
"Well not if he can help it," McKay pointed out.
"Indeed," Teal'c said. "I believe he will be seething after this loss to an enemy he knows nothing about."
"Nice for him to know how that feels," John said. "But I am a little worried that you might have crushed him a little too thoroughly and revealed a few of your tricks in the process."
"What do you mean?" Bra'tac asked with a frown.
"Well you used cloaking devices, which by the way we didn't even know you had," John said. "Now that Zarin knows you have that technology he will be more cautious. He also now knows just how powerful your ships are."
"I see," Bra'tac said. "I am sorry we did not tell you but the upgrades were a recent development that we have only just been able to make operational."
"Do not worry Colonel Sheppard," Teal'c assured him. "We have not yet used all of our tricks just yet. Our fighters and bombers are still unknown to the enemy."
"Fair point," John admitted. "But don't you think that keeping the cloaks a secret for a little while would have been a good idea?"
"Not if we are to maintain the illusion that we are natives to this galaxy," Bra'tac explained.
"Alright I'll bite," John said. "Spill it."
"We claimed to have gathered strength despite the threat of the Wraith," Bra'tac explained. "For this to happen it would make sense we have some form of stealth technology. It also means that he won't suspect something is wrong when he can't find traces of our presence beyond our fleet."
"Ok, when you're right you're right," John admitted. "But aren't you worried about him trying to hunt you down and annihilate you because you pissed him off?"
Bra'tac and Teal'c glanced at each other and shared a predatory grin.
"I think that translates as bring it on," Rodney said helpfully.
"I would never have guessed," John replied sarcastically. "I really should have known that a warrior race would go looking for the fight rather than let it come to them."
"If he wants a fight we intend to give him one," Bra'tac stated factually.
"Just don't overdo it," John requested. "My boss would be very upset if I let something happen to the two of you."
"Worry not Colonel Sheppard," Teal'c said. "There is no honour in chucking lives away."
"No there isn't," John agreed. "So you'll be happy to hear that the last of the Pegasus natives have been moved to Concordia. They're all out of harms way for the time being."
"Commander," ISIS said, interrupting the conversation. "I have a priority one report from the Liberum fleet. They have found an inhabited world in their search area."
Rodney gave John a look. "You just had to say it didn't you."
"Helm, take us to the Liberum fleet now," John ordered. "Sorry gentleman but duty calls."
"You realise this scuttles our plans for the Liberum," Rodney pointed out. "We can't use them because they don't have the forces to hold off a siege without support."
"Yeah I know that but we need them in this fight," Sheppard replied. "Another enemy with powerful technology to fight is the only thing that is going to give Zarin pause."
"So what are going to do?"
"First of all we're going to check out this inhabited world," John replied. "Then we're going to have a word with Tomin about what we're going to do next."
"Well who could have predicted this turn of events?" Janus asked.
"No one," Morgan replied. "But I am not exactly surprised. Fortune does not always favour the just."
"No it doesn't," Janus admitted. "But it would be nice if it did. It would mean we wouldn't have to interfere."
"And yet despite what you have said we have yet to actually interfere at all," Morgan pointed out.
"Not yet," Janus admitted.
"Alright," Morgan said. "What are you going to do?"
"Me?" Janus asked innocently. "Why nothing at all."
"What?"
"I said I'm not going to do anything," Janus reaffirmed.
"You mean you're happy if we just sit back and watch events unfold?" Morgan asked in disbelief.
"Oh I didn't say that, I just said I wasn't going to do anything," Janus said with a smile.
"You want me to do something?" Morgan asked, stunned.
"No not you either," Janus said, giving Oma a look.
This time it was Oma's turn to be stunned. "What?"
"Tell me the Liberum forces haven't been on your watch list for ascension candidates," Janus prompted.
"I believe there are many good candidates amongst those present," Oma admitted. "But so what?"
"So if they fell in battle then you wouldn't be opposed to ascending them?" Janus asked.
"I wouldn't see the downside," Oma admitted. "But, again, so what?"
"So the Liberum can engage in combat without fear of losing their people," Janus said.
"Janus," Oma said in a steely tone. "Explain yourself fully at once or I assure you will live to regret it."
Janus gulped. Oma could be really terrifying when she wanted to be. "Okay fine, here's my idea…"
"I'm not sure," Oma said a while later.
"It can't hurt to suggest it," Janus argued.
"Yes but they might do it just because we suggest it and not come to their own conclusion," Oma pointed out.
"Not if we tell the right person," Morgan argued. "And I think I know exactly who we can have this discussion with."
Liberatus
Onboard the Liberum flagship Tomin sat in his quarters waiting for the arrival of the Tau'ri. He knew his message would provoke an immediate response from them and figured that with their fast ships he wouldn't have to wait long. He had actually been quite surprised himself with the discovery, none of them had expected to discover an inhabited world. Now a formerly inhabited world wouldn't have surprised them but an inhabited one that no one was aware of had certainly come as quite a shock. Over time the odd world could probably have fallen through the cracks but the real kicker was the unusual natural properties this one came with. When his scouts had come back with their report he had immediately taken a fighter just to go see what they had been telling him for himself. He would need the Tau'ri scientists and their scanning equipment to check this out though if he was ever going to believe what his eyes had apparently been telling him.
While he was lost in his thought the lights in his room slowly began to dim and before he knew it he was surrounded by near darkness. With the lights so low he could hardly see his own hand in front of his face. Before he could even get up and find out what had happened he was blinded by three bright white shapes that suddenly appeared in front of him. As he shielded his eyes from the glare the shapes reformed until they took the form of three people, two women and a man. Their bodies seemed to glow with a radiant white light.
"Hello Tomin," said the older woman in the middle. "My name is Oma."
"And your companions?" Tomin asked hesitantly.
"This is Janus and Morgan," she replied, gesturing to the man on her right and woman on her left respectively.
"Judging from your appearance and entrance I would presume you are ascended beings," Tomin stated. "Ancients maybe?"
Janus chuckled. "He's sharp this one."
Oma smiled. "Yes he is. And you can stop trying to use your powers Tomin. We have temporarily taken this room outside of the normal flow of time. You cannot contact your companions."
"What do you want from me?" Tomin demanded, somewhat aggressively.
"We know about the inhabited world below and your fight with the Tau'ri against the Zarasians," Morgan said.
Tomin looked at her. "Morgan? As in Morgan Le Fay? The one who helped the Tau'ri fight against the Ori?"
Janus chuckled. "Looks like he's heard of you Morgan."
"And I have heard of you as well Janus," Tomin added. "Doctor McKay once warned me how anything you created causes problems."
Morgan snickered at the same time Janus lost his smile.
"I'll tell you now that I will not be a pawn of the ascended," Tomin stated firmly. "So I ask again, what do you want from me?"
"To help," Janus replied.
Tomin narrowed his eyes. "Please explain."
The Weir exited hyperspace over a green, Earth like world. Not too far away and in orbit of this world was the Liberum fleet.
"Open a channel," John ordered.
"Channel open sir."
"Hello Colonel Sheppard," Tomin said.
"Hello Tomin," John said. "I hear you found an inhabited world."
"Yes we did," Tomin confirmed with a hint of excitement in his voice. "However there is something I would like you to check out for me. I saw it with my own eyes but I could not believe what I was seeing. I suggest you take your ship into the atmosphere to perform your scans. The interference from the planet's strong magnetic field can affect your sensor's performance."
"Tomin, would you please explain what you saw?" John asked patiently.
"My apologies Colonel," Tomin said, getting his excitement under control. "It is just such an amazing sight. On certain parts of the planet there are rocks, whole islands even, in the sky."
"So…floating mountains?" McKay asked slowly.
"Yes Colonel," Tomin confirmed.
Sheppard gave Rodney a look. "Ok McKay, explain this one."
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