The six SPECTREs ran through the village at full speed, their armoured bodies appearing as blurs to the watching villagers. The villagers followed slowly behind since apparently they were in no rush to get there. The presence of a reaper though changed the attitudes of the SPECTREs. They were expecting this to be the prelude to an invasion by Zarasian forces. They were not expecting what they saw when they finally reached the crossing though.

Around the simple, yet sturdy, wooden bridge was a number of graves marked only by sticks in the ground. On the bridge itself a long figure was fighting off several massive wolves, each one the size of a small horse, while several more were on the opposite bank waiting to pounce. If the size of the wolves was what surprised the SPECTREs then the figure that was fighting them off, and winning for that matter, absolutely shocked them. It was a reaper, that much was obvious from the skin colour and the cybernetic eye piece, but it was also the biggest reaper they had ever seen since it was easily three meters tall. But this reaper was apparently defending the crossing from these wolves. There were even villagers cheering for the thing!

"So that's the guardian the elder was talking about," Teyla said.

"What is that thing?" Todd asked. "Surely it's too big to be a reaper."

"And I'm too big to be a human and Jason is too big to be a Wraith," Ronon said.

"He's got a point," Sovaer said. "Want to stay here and watch?"

The other SPECTREs admitted that they did. So they stayed there and watched this one man tank, which they would later learn was called a hulk, swiping aside anything that came close to him. Several of the wolves fell down to a burst from the hulks plasma mini gun while lone wolves succumbed to blasts from the weapons mounted on his arms. One lucky wolf managed to dodge the withering hails of firepower that felled its kin and leapt at the hulks throat. Just as it was about to land on the hulk it stopped in mid air, skewered by a glowing blade that sprang out from its housing on the reapers arm. As the wolf whimpered in agony the hulk casually flung it sideways over the side of the small bridge. It landed in the fast flowing currents of the river, travelling a short distance before washing up dead on the bank.

The remaining few wolves backed off after that. They were clearly intelligent enough to realise that they couldn't win this fight when so many had fallen. Once they left and were some distance away the hulk moved away from the bridge to a small hut that had been erected so that it had a clear view of the other bank.

As the hulk came closer they saw that its leathers were torn and tattered and it was covered in cuts that were still healing. The villagers were busy gathering and skinning the dead wolves. Some had even gotten a fire started and a roasting carcass was turning slowly on spit. After the reaper pulled off the power pack for the mini gun and gently placed it inside the hut it walked over the spit and ripped off a chunk of roasted meat, tearing into the food with its sharp teeth. One of the villagers brought over a large pitcher of water which the reaper snatched and downed in one go.

"Well this is surreal," Eir noted.

That was certainly saying something, normally the Asgard field medic wasn't fazed by anything so if she thought this situation was surreal then it definitely was without a shadow of a doubt.

"So you decided not to get involved then," a familiar voice from behind them said. "Wise choice. They'll be back eventually though so I suggest you don't stick around too long."

Behind them was the village elder, being carried on a litter by two burly men. Across his lap rested his snake staff. Gently the two men lowered the litter to the ground and the old man got to his feet.

"Do you realise what that thing is?" Sovaer asked, pointing a finger at the reaper.

The old man shrugged. "It's our guardian. It protects us from the demon hounds. That's all I need to know."

"Then perhaps you need to rethink what you need to know," Sovaer shot back. "That thing is a reaper. A soldier made from combining human and Wraith."

"Is that so?" the old man said. "Well he's no threat to us, unlike your two friends."

"You're clearly not afraid of them though," Teyla argued. "Or him."

The old man laughed. "The guardian of the crossing eats normal food same as us. Somehow I doubt those two can say the same. Besides if you wanted us dead I doubt there was much we could do to stop you and of course we would be dead already."

Jason snorted before turning and walking over to the roasting wolf, taking off his helmet as he went. Villagers backed away in fear from the large Wraith. The hulk looked at Jason but didn't make a move to attack him, yet. Possibly he didn't register Jason as a threat despite the two massive weapons slung across his back. Without a word Jason reached out and tore a chunk of roasted meat from the spit before eating it heartily.

"We do eat normal food," Todd said. "Just like all Wraith now do. A lot has changed recently."

"So it would seem," the elder replied, looking thoughtfully at Jason eat.

"Elder…actually come to think of it what is your name?" Sovaer asked.

The old man smiled a crooked grin. "I might ask you the same question."

One by one the SPECTREs introduced themselves.

"My name is Markus," the elder said.

"Nice to meet you," Sovaer said politely. "Now moving on, you lied."

"Did I?" Markus asked innocently.

"Yes you did," Sovaer said. "That reaper is from another planet which means it really hasn't been that long since you last had visitors from another world."

"Clever boy," Markus said. "However it's no business of yours what guests we have had here."

"It is if they were Zarasians," Todd replied. "We are at war with them and for your peoples sake you had better hope that we win."

"And why should I hope for that Wraith?" Markus asked snidely.

"Because if we don't then the Zarasians will conquer your planet and there is nothing you will be able to do to stop them," Ronon answered.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"However we can take you somewhere safe where your people will be protected until this war is over and after that we will advance your civilisation," Eir said.

"Oh and what price would you charge for that?" Markus asked.

"Nothing," Eir said. "We will pay you by educating your people and advancing your civilisation."

"And exactly how does that benefit you?"

"Well for one thing it means there is one less planet for us to worry about defending," Sovaer said. "And it means that the Zarasian population won't be growing thanks to slave labour which would make them easier to deal with."

"The majority, if not nearly all, of the Pegasus population is safe on another world, including my own people," Teyla said. "It is a good offer."

"Well as happy as I am to get something that doesn't technically cost me anything you should know there are other towns round here and they might take some convincing," Markus said. "You'll have to convince them as well."

"So you're convinced?" Sovaer asked hopefully. "Wait, hang on a second there are towns around here?"

"Several," Markus said.

"So why in the ancestors name are you living in a place surrounded by wolves when you could move?" Sovaer asked.

"Don't talk down to me boy!" Markus growled. "I know what is best for my people and that is staying right here."

"Surrounded by predators?"

"Yes surrounded by predators," Markus said heatedly. "On an island guarded by something even the wolves fear. If we tried to go out there in a caravan we would be slaughtered. They were a nuisance in the old days but now no caravan can make it through that forest."

"So what changed?" Eir asked.

The old man sighed and pointed at the hulk. "He did."

"Oh," Eir said in realisation.

"What?" Ronon asked.

"They were the apex predator," Eir explained. "They had no real competition. Nothing that could best one of them on its own let alone a group of them, until that reaper came along."

"You've got the right of it there," Markus confirmed. "You see they aren't just big, they're cunning too. Used to be a right of passage that a young man would join one of the caravans going to the towns and act as a guard but not anymore. Now they know how dangerous the guardian is they keep on coming, forest is full of wolves from packs that wouldn't normally be anywhere near here but they are. They just keep attacking and attacking in the hope of one day getting him. No luck so far of course but who knows, maybe someday one of them will get lucky."

"Which brings us back to the beginning," Sovaer said. "How and when did that thing get here?"

"Come with me," the old man said moving back to his litter. "We're going to the barn."

"What's in the barn?" Ronon asked.

"The answer you're looking for."

The barn was exactly that, a barn located in a field. On the outside it appeared to be an ordinary barn, and on the inside it was exactly the same. Markus had dismissed his attendants outside and he lead them a seemingly random spot in the middle of the barn.

"Clear away the straw," he instructed the SPECTREs, rapping on the floor with his staff.

The SPECTREs glanced at each other.

Markus sighed. "Just indulge this old man."

When the straw was cleared away it revealed seemingly ordinary floor boards. Markus tapped a specific area, and a section of the floor boards shook.

"If you wouldn't mind?" he asked. "I am an old man after all."

Sovaer stepped forwards and prised up the loose section of the floor boards, revealing a set of stairs leading downwards and out of sight.

"This barn was constructed two years ago," Markus explained as he started down the stairs. "We needed to hide something big where no one would find it. Luckily this area is a bit of a trench so with a little work and so time for the grass on top to grow we had a perfect hiding place."

"For what exactly?" Sovaer asked as they emerged into a dark chamber, the only thing visible being two torches near the entrance and the supports struts that held up the ceiling.

"This," Markus said as he took one of the torches and placed it against a canal of liquid set into the wall.

The oil in the canal caught fire and a line of fire sped along the walls of the underground chamber, illuminating a large metallic construct. It was arrow shaped, rather like an oversized version of one of the Zarasian fighters. Clearly it was a ship.

"They landed here about two years ago," Markus explained. "A half dozen like the guardian, and two humans. One of them stayed with the ship but the other, I guess he was in charge, came into the village bold as brass and said he was here to conduct a field test and by happy coincidence they had found us. Told us how lucky we were because it meant we were now members of the Zarasian Empire, arrogant young brat."

"So what happened to them?" Todd asked.

"Come and see," Markus said, shuffling towards the ship.

When he reached the hatch on the side he pushed a button and the door hissed open, clearly the ship was still somewhat functional. As they stepped inside they realized they could hazard a guess what happened to the humans, and most likely the other reapers. The inside of the small ship was a mess. Dried blood covered the floor and a console was covered in scratches left by some very large claws, whatever had done this was clearly big and vicious.

"I told you," Markus said. "Those demon hounds are cunning buggers. They sensed something strange had turned up on their patch so the pack sent a welcoming party. Those reapers got a proper field test alright, they got themselves ambushed by an entire back. By the time they made it out the forest half of them were dead on their feet and the other half weren't looking too pretty anymore. That brat certainly wasn't so cocky anymore neither. Still he apparently had a brain in his head, told the others to hold them back at the bridge and not to let any of them cross. By the time the wolves decided they had had enough the only one still standing was the guardian. Of course what no one realised was that one of the buggers had managed to sneak in earlier, trying to raid the livestock while we were distracted by their arrival. I told you they were cunning buggers. He found the ship all the way out here, killed the one in here and pounced on the other when he came running back. We never knew he was in here until the screams started, that kid had a real set of lungs on him. By the time that we got here that wolf had half eaten him. We buried the lot of them by the crossing and the guardians being doing his work ever since. Carrying out the last order he was given. That hut has all the things the others like had on him. He keeps them safe, won't let us touch them."

"If this happened two years ago why has no one come here since?" Todd asked.

"Good question Wraith," Markus said. "Personally I reckon it had something to do with this."

He thumped the nearby console with his staff. It sparked and the screen lit up to show a single sentence.

"Self destruct command received," Todd said. "Interesting."

"I suppose you know what that means then?" Markus asked.

"It means this ship, and a good chunk of this island most likely, shouldn't be here," Todd explained as he started tapping away at the console. "But let me see. Ah yes I thought so."

"What is it?" Sovaer asked.

"The receiver array for the subspace communications transceiver has been severed from the rest of the ship most likely thanks to that wolf," Todd explained. "The command was received but wasn't sent to the generators so they didn't overload."

"Does that mean this thing isn't going to blow up?" Markus asked, concerned.

"Not unless someone does anything to the console to re-establish the connection," Todd said. "Like thumping it maybe."

Markus quickly backed away from the console.

"Looks like someone didn't want this ship falling into enemy hands," Sovaer surmised. "Do you know where the self destruct command was sent from?"

"I can do one better than that," Todd said. "I can tell you where this ship came from."

"Good work," Sovaer said. "Download what you can from the ships memory banks and erase that self destruct command."

"You're welcome," Markus muttered.

"Thank you," Sovaer shot back.

SPECTRE transport shuttle

After learning of the Zarasian ship hidden on the SPECTREs had decided that it was time to submit a report of what they found here. They really did have to wonder though what the people in charge would make of what they could find. It was surreal. None of them had considered the possibility that they would find a giant reaper actually aiding the local population as a result of some strange turn of events, and yet that was exactly the situation they found themselves in. It was actually rather funny to imagine the expression on Zarins face should he ever learn what had happened here.

"Admiral Xander," Sovaer said. "I thought it best to call you with the operations occurring on Calium. We have a report on the planet we were ordered to scout."

Xander sighed. "That wasn't necessary I'm afraid, operations on Calium have been suspended for the immediate future."

"You evacuated the locals to Concordia then?" Sovaer assumed.

"No," Xander said, and you could hear the regret in his voice. "We had to perform a complete withdrawal due to the tactical situation."

"What?!" the SPECTREs yelled collectively before they all started asking questions.

"Stop, stop, enough! Quiet!" Xander yelled, trying to get them to stop. The SPECTREs really could be of one mind at times. "Shut up and let me explain! That's an order!"

"Please do," Eir said.

"The Zarasians turned up in a massive ship, twice the size of a Wraith hive," Xander explained. "Worst still they somehow managed to get the locals on their side. Don't ask me how or why because I don't know, none of us do. One minute they were shooting down Zarasian fighters and the next minute they went for our own birds. Luckily they were just Tau'ri UAVs so no losses there but frankly this entire situation is screwed up."

"What happened to the fleet?" Todd asked.

"Apparently Zarin was feeling generous," Xander replied, though he didn't sound like he believed that. "He took down the shields of the O'Neill with one shot of his ships main beam weapon and then let them go. They took the scenic route so they couldn't be followed and fell back to Concordia."

"He was sending a message," Ronon surmised. "He wants us scared."

"Looks that way…hold on beam weapon?" Sovaer asked. "Since when did the Zarasians have beam weapons?"

"Apparently around the same time they got some new ship classes," Xander replied. "There were three new kinds of ship, aside from Zarin's flagship, and they all had beam weapons at least as strong as ours."

"Well we found a small Zarasian transport ship here," Sovaer said. "And a new kind of reaper."

"Let me guess, three meters tall and a very big bun?"

"Don't tell me, they were at Calium too?"

"We call them hulks," Xander said. "They even had vehicles too. They looked pretty similar to the ones the Genii have so I guess now we know where all the ones that were supposedly in storage on one of their old worlds went to. The Zarasians gave them an upgrade and they are quite annoying to have to deal with. It seems they like to short range theatre shields to protect their troops until they're close enough to shoot you."

"Any more good news?" Todd
asked sarcastically.

"I was hoping you had good news for me actually," Xander shot back.

"The locals would be willing to move to Concordia," Sovaer said. "Though some will need a little convincing."

"I'll see about getting a Beliskner dispatched to the planet for talks," Xander said. "Anything else?"

"We think we found a Zarasian research base nearby," Sovaer said. "It's a short range trip from here. We're sending you the relevant data we recovered from the ship."

"What's the planet?" Xander asked.

"M1M-316," ISIS said helpfully.

"What?" Teyla asked, surprised. "You could have mentioned that sooner ISIS."

"My apologies Miss Emmagen," ISIS said.

"I'm guessing you've been there," Xander said. "What's it like?"

"Dinosaurs," Teyla said.

"Dinosaurs?"

"Big lizards."

"How big?"

"Roughly the same size as a Titan, if not bigger."

"Well I'm game," Sovaer said jovially. "With your permission Admiral?"

"Alright granted," Xander said reluctantly. "But be careful."

"We're SPECTREs remember," Sovaer replied, before severing the connection.

The six SPECTREs headed back to the village with the news.

"So more of your friends are turning up then," Markus said. "Is there even enough space around here for you all to land?"

"The ship my people are sending do not need to land," Eir said. "They are capable of ignoring a planets gravity field."

"So more people like you then," Markus said, with his crooked grin. "That's going to cause quite a stir in the towns. I wonder how many will start running?"

Eir shot him a dark look.

"Now now missy don't look at me like that," Markus chided. "That fake body of yours is enough to scare even me, and I live on the same island as the guardian and don't scare all that easy. There are those who won't look too kindly on having you appear in your ships over their homes."

"Not all Asgard wear a combat body," Eir replied. "I can assure those that visit this world will look almost human."

"Just without hair," Sovaer added.

"Or clothes," Todd added.

"Or sex organs for that matter," Sovaer added again.

"Finished?" Eir asked irritably.

"I think so," Sovaer said. "You finished Todd?"

"Yes I think that about covers it."

"Good," Sovaer said. "You'll also be going with them as a negotiator elder Markus. I trust that will meet with your approval."

"Why not," Markus said. "It sounds like fun."

"I'm detecting dozen of wolves approaching the crossing," ISIS suddenly warned them. "The hulk is moving to engage. Count is forty and rising."

"Elder!" a villager yelled. "Demon hounds!"

"Twice in one day!" Markus exclaimed. "I should have known. Those others must have seen you."

"There are dozens of them approaching the island," Sovaer warned him. "The hulk can't handle them alone. Let us help you."

"How do you know that?" Markus asked before thinking better of it. "No never mind that doesn't matter now and I shouldn't be surprised anyway. Now then, those demons are here because of you so you can be damn sure you're going to help now get moving already!"

"Yes sir," Sovaer muttered as the SPECTREs started running.

Travelling as fast as they could it didn't take them long to reach the crossing, even from the centre of the village. What they found though when the reached the crossing was enough to stop them in their tracks. There were dozen of those giant wolves pouring onto the bridge, attacking without mercy and chasing after the villagers that had been tending to their guardian not long ago. The hulk meanwhile was cleaving his way through the wolves that had made it to the other side of the crossing unopposed, his minigun spraying plasma like rain drops in a hurricane and his blades cutting down any within reach. The SPECTREs didn't hesitate even for a moment, charging straight into the fray without any regard for their well being. There were people in danger and that was all that mattered.

The hulk seemed to have the ones around the crossing occupied for the time being so they decided to mop up the ones already on the island. The paltry few chasing down the villagers were quickly chased down and dispatched by Eir, Teyla and Sovaer. Meanwhile Todd and Ronon took down the unengaged wolves on the flanks while Jason blasted his way through with his heavy weapons to stand by the hulks side.

Standing together with the wild hordes of the forest closing in on them they looked like long lost cousins reunited, which in a way they were. Both were beings that had been created for destruction by masters who saw them as nothing more than tools to further their own ambitions. Yet now here they stood, as a result of chance and happenstance, fighting for a greater purpose, protecting the weak from the strong and asking for nothing in return. It was picturesque in a way and quite sad in another. While Jason was free he could only look at his distant cousin and feel sadness that he was still enslaved, still bound by the final orders of his former master. Silently Jason vowed to free him, one way or another.

Working together they brought down the wolves that had made it onto the island and started picking off the ones on the other side of the bank from a distance before closing the gap. Sovaer, Eir and Teyla vaulted across the river and started going hand to hand with the wolves. Between Teyla's plasma rods, Eir's plasma repeaters and atomic edged claws, Sovaer's lightning fast reflexes and the SPECTREs enhanced strength the wolves were in for the fight of their lives.

The area around the river crossing was a mess of activity. The air was filled with energy blasts, howls and the smell of scorched flesh from all the dead wolves. The wolves were flocking to the crossing trying to force their way past the two figures barring their way and the smaller two flanking it. Countless carcasses lay on the ground and the river waters ran red with blood. The hulk had accepted the presence of the SPECTREs unquestioningly. In its mind they simply made his mission easier. They had unwittingly become bonded by fire.

But despite the countless dead more and more were pouring out of the woods. A never ending horde of grey furred predator's intent on reclaiming their spot on the highest tiers of the food chain.

"We need help Sovaer," Todd said.

"I know but the ships weapons could level this area," Sovaer replied.

"And these wolves could level the island and us," Todd retorted.

Sovaer scowled but knew he was right, the wolves were coming in droves now. It looked like they weren't taking any chances this time round.

"ISIS," Sovaer yelled over the sounds of the battle ringing in his ears. "Bring the ship now, we need support."

"I am being given orders to stand down," ISIS said. "I cannot comply with your orders."

"On whose authority?" Sovaer demanded.

"The Asgard Sujanha," ISIS replied.

"How in the name of the ancestors is he giving you orders?" Sovaer asked. "Who is she anyway?"

"For the answer to that question young one I suggest you look up," an unfamiliar voice said on the secure channel. "I have arrived."

"Who are…oh," Sovaer began to ask before the question died in his throat as the storm clouds started to form.

"Retreat," Sovaer yelled, knowing what was coming.

Eir and Teyla leaped away from the wolves clawing at them, recognising the warning signs as well. Eir especially knew exactly what was happening. After all it was her races ship that emerged from the middle of the pulsing storm clouds.

The dark metal of the Beliskner class vessel gleamed in from the light of the lightning discharges. The once clear blue sky was now a turbulent mass of thunder and lightning, to the backdrop of black clouds. From the nose of the vessel the ships transport array activated, the glaring white spotlight sweeping across the ground in front of the crossing. Any wolves touched by the heavenly light were whisked away into nothingness, vanishing from sight in an instant. The wolves, being intelligent creatures by nature, were easily capable of figuring out that to get caught in the light meant certain death. As they struggled to halt their advance they crashed into one another, ending up sprawling on the ground in a tangle of limbs before the light hit them and they disappeared. Those few that survived long enough to skid to halt safely scattered in all directions, fleeing into the woods as if there were a thousand hulks chasing after him. The spotlight vanished as the life sign count in the immediate area dwindled to single figures.

"Nice timing," Sovaer said. "Though a little warning would have nice."

"My apologies but I didn't want to break your concentration," Sujanha said. "I took the liberty of not disposing of the reaper in your midst when I noticed he was fighting alongside you. Would you like me to revisit that decision now that the threat is gone?"

"No," Jason said, surprising everyone. "Help him."

Sovaer nodded slowly. "Ok big guy we'll help him…anyone know how we can help him?"

"Do for him what you did for me," Jason rumbled.

"In theory it should be possible," Todd said. "We can't do it right away though."

"Do what you can," Jason said. "Help him."

"We'll do what we can," Teyla assured him. "Right Sujanha?"

"With your permission I'll put him in stasis," Sujanha said.

"Not yet," Jason said.

Jason turned and placed his hands on the hulks shoulders, looking the hulk in the eye. The hulk stared back at him blankly.

"You have completed your mission," Jason said. "Rest now."

The hulk stared back at him and something seemed to click. Something about being on this world had changed him. Maybe it was the constant battle to protect the village, maybe it was the lack of indoctrination ground into him by Zarasian commanders or maybe it was the fact that he was still being field tested. Somehow, for some reason, the words from Jason made sense somewhere in the hulks mind. The hulk nodded and walked back to his hut, dropping his weapon and sitting down in the shade.. In an absent minded sort of way he reached up and removed the crack eyepiece covering his left eye, before rummaging around in the pile of objects piled at the back of the hut. Pulling out a spare eyepiece he placed over his left eye, replacing the original that had been broken in the battle. His head drooped slightly as he gave in to exhaustion.

The last hulk, known to the locals as the guardian of the crossing, had fought his last battle on this world.

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