Stargate Command, six hours after Ori Satellite attack.
Colonel Carter had been standing in the briefing room looking out the window at the Stargate while drinking some tea, as per Dr. Lam's orders. She took a sip and smiled at the golden concoction before her thoughts went to the Ori satellite. General Landry was called to Washington to meet the President and General O'Neill about this new Ori threat and, with Colonel Reynolds and Dixon off-world, she was in charge of the base. Her mind now turning from the Ori satellite to the Prometheus, the Colonel sighed as she looked down at her tea and looked at her own reflection, she was worried. The Prometheus was supposed to have checked in an hour after exiting hyperspace.. but they never did, which was never a good sign.
She recalled them checking in right after they had exited hyperspace, their last message was that they had the satellite in their sights, and they were going to proceed as planned. But nothing since then, and Colonel Carter feared the worst.
'One hundred and fifteen souls on board' thought the Colonel to herself as she turned back to the briefing room table and put her cup of tea down, 'one hundred and fifteen people… come on, they should be alright. Just call… please just call.'
Once the check in time had passed, the Colonel immediately ordered the Odyssey to Tegalus. The newest ship out of the line was still conducting her shakedown cruise when called into action and the commander of the ship, Colonel Paul Emerson, immediately changed course and entered hyperspace. He told the Colonel that from their region of space, time to Tegalus would be about ten hours. With seven more hours to go, all Colonel Carter could do was wait.
'The only way that they couldn't contact us would be if subspace communications was down' thought the Colonel to herself as she sat alone in the briefing room, 'or if… no… don't even think about that, if Communications was down, then Willow and the others would be able to restore it and… wait, what if Willow is…. Damn it. Stop thinking negative thoughts.'
The Colonel then got out of her chair, picked up the cup of tea and walked down to the control room where technicians were all over the place. She looked at the overhead screens hoping that there would be an incoming wormhole from Tegalus with news of what happened. She was aware that something like this would happen, that she would have to see her team go out through the Stargate and that they may never come back again. She just hoped that this wasn't that day as she unconsciously started to rub her abdomen.
"Colonel?" asked Walter as he turned around after he sensed the Colonel behind him, "are you alright?"
"Huh?" asked Colonel Carter as she looked at Walter and then at her own actions and she quickly removed her hand, "sorry, just one of those unconscious things."
"It's alright, ma'am" said Walter as he turned back to looking at his screen, "we still haven't gotten anything from Tegalus, Odyssey or Prometheus, ma'am."
"You mean since I last asked ten minutes ago?" asked the Colonel with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am" said Walter when the klaxons suddenly went off, "unscheduled off-world activation."
The Colonel watched as there was a flash of blue that indicated the formation of a wormhole from behind the iris, silently hoping that this was the news that they had all been waiting for.
"Walter?" asked Colonel Carter.
"It's from Edina, ma'am, it's major Hailey; audio and video" said Walter as the Colonel closed her eyes. She had heard from Colonel Pendergast and Hailey that Xander had gone with the crew to Tegalus so that he could provide some help with his knowledge of field medicine. But now, the Colonel had to tell a very worried family that they haven't heard from the Prometheus yet.
"Put her on" said the Colonel as she looked up at the computer screen as they activated to reveal a blonde woman in SGC BDU's, "Major, you weren't supposed to check in for another twelve hours."
"I know, ma'am" said Hailey, "but we have a worried family here. They were wondering if you heard anything from the Prometheus."
"Not yet" said the Colonel as she saw Hailey's frown before the blonde Major looked to her left, indicating that there was someone standing there, "but that doesn't mean anything. We know they reached Tegalus, the reason for them not contacting us could just be a communications malfunction. I've ordered the Odyssey to their location in case they need any aid. But as of now, it's a waiting game. We've connected the Gate to the Rand Protectorate, but no one saying anything."
"Colonel" said Buffy as she stood behind Hailey, "can't you go in with a rescue team or something?"
"There could be a full military contingent on the other side, Mrs. Harris" said Colonel Carter, "we have absolutely no intel, and we'd be going in blind. And in the event that the Prometheus has rescued Daniel, going in now would just cost more lives. And if they haven't succeeded, then an invasion from this planet would mean a death sentence for him. I know you're worried about Mr. Harris and I give you my assurance that he's in good hands. And…"
"Ma'am" said Walter as he tapped her arm.
"Stand-by, Hailey" said Colonel Carter as she turned back to Walter, "what's up?"
"We're getting a garbled message" said Walter, "subspace from.. Prometheus."
"Put it on" said the Colonel as the speakers played the garbled message with want sounded like interference in the background, "…. Comm… dergast… theus…. Vere… amage."
"Prometheus" said the Colonel, "this is Lt. Colonel Cart, please repeat."
"Walter" said the Colonel as she leaned over a computer console, "run an electronic filter, maybe that could clean up the message."
"Ma'am" said Walter as he started to run a program.
Then a voice came over the speaker that had everyone in the control room cheering,
"Stargate Command, this is Colonel Lionel Pendergast of the Prometheus" said the message as the Colonel gave a wide grin that showed off her pearly white teeth, "the ship is severely damaged, we require urgent assistance."
It was the second part of the message that had everyone who was cheering quieten down, and they gathered around the Colonel and Walter.
"Prometheus" said Colonel Carter, "do you have life support?"
"Life support's at half power" said Colonel Pendergast, "limited sublight, no weapons, no shields, no hyper drive, the hull is badly damaged, and we've got injured. Some on the ship, and others in Caledonian territory."
"Colonel" said Colonel Carter, "we've diverted the Odyssey to your coordinates, they should be there in… under six hours."
"Copy that" said Colonel Pendergast, "Dr. Jackson is negotiating with the Rand on the use of their Stargate, we'll send home those who are injured."
"Copy that" said Colonel Carter, "oh, Colonel.. is Mr. Harris one of the injured?"
"Negative" said Colonel Carter, "but we have a total of twelve crew so far dead or missing, fifteen injured on the surface and five of those are critical."
"Get access to the Stargate, Colonel" said Colonel Carter, "I'll have medical teams ready by the time you call back."
"Sam, stand by" said Colonel Pendergast who Colonel Carter heard was talking to someone else, "Dr. Jackson would like to have a word."
"OK" said Colonel Carter.
"Sam" said Daniel.
"Daniel" said the Colonel smiling, "good to hear your voice."
"Good to hear yours too" said Daniel, "I've been in preliminary negotiations with the Rand and the Caledonians, since we… or actually, Willow managed to disable the Ori satellite, the Rand have agreed to let any Caledonian who won't embrace Origin leave the planet for a new home. The deal is that they get to keep the satellite for their own protection."
"We can destroy the satellite, Daniel" said Colonel Carter, "that was the mission parameters. The destruction of the satellite, and your rescue."
"You don't understand, Sam" said Daniel, "they will launch another satellite if we destroy this one. Actually since we did destroy the one they already have, they can launch another one in under a year. We destroy that, and they'll launch another one. My way, any Caledonian that doesn't want to embrace Origin has the option to leave, start a new life on a new planet."
"Priors can still find them, Daniel" said the Colonel.
"At least it gives them a chance" said Daniel, "we need to try Sam, the reason this happened is partly our fault. We need to help them, if we can."
"Have both parties agreed?" asked the Colonel.
"Tentatively" said Daniel, "please, Sam. It's a chance for peace."
The Colonel then turned to Walter and asked him to contact General O'Neill, General Landry and the President before turning back to the microphone.
"Daniel" said Colonel Carter, "do what you need to do, the first priority is to get the injured home, is that clear?"
"Got it Sam" said Daniel, "Daniel, out."
"Sam" said Colonel Pendergast, "I'm sending you data on the weapon."
"Thanks, Colonel" said Colonel Carter, "stay put, we're coming to bring all of you home."
"See you soon" said Colonel Pendergast, "Prometheus, out."
"Walter" said the Colonel after the connection with the Prometheus was cut, "inform the Odyssey about the situation on Prometheus, they may need to wrap a hyperspace bubble around her and tow her back to Earth. I'm estimating two full days travel time."
"Yes, ma'am" said Walter as he got on the subspace radio, while Colonel Carter go on the microphone that was connected to Edina.
"Hailey" said the Colonel.
"Ma'am" said the Major, "we're still here."
"Inform the Summers that Mr. Harris is safe and well" said Colonel Carter as she could hear cheering from behind Hailey, "Daniel is negotiating the use of the Rand Stargate, and once they're here at the SGC; I'll notify you."
"Copy that, ma'am" said Hailey who was being hugged by Dawn, "Hailey, out."
When the connection and the wormhole disengaged. All Colonel Carter could do was sit back and let out a huge sigh. Her people were safe, they were coming home. Almost immediately she sat back up and looked into space, 'wait a second, Willow stopped the satellite?'
Stargate Command, two hours later, 1700 hours.
It was almost two hours later that Daniel had contacted the SGC again. He said that the Rand had agreed to a conditional ceasefire, and allow the Gate to be used for any Caledonian to leave the planet. However, it would be the Prometheus crew who would be coming home first, especially those who were injured. Colonel Carter was already in the Control Room when the Stargate activated again and watched as medical staff waited for the injured in the Gateroom. Dr. Lam had asked that the injured be brought through in order of the severity of the injury so that they would be taken first into sugary, or whatever else was needed.
"Colonel" said Walter, "I have Dr. Jackson's IDC."
"Deactivate the shield and the Iris, Walter" said Colonel Carter, "give them the green light."
"Green light sent, ma'am" said Walter.
"Medical teams" said Colonel Carter as she spoke into the microphone, "stand by for incoming injuries."
Dr. Lam turned and gave them a thinks up as the Iris opened and the shield came down. It was a few seconds later that the first of the injured started coming back. The Colonel looked on as crew who had mostly burns all along their body were carried in by stretchers and placed on the gurneys so that the could be rushed into surgery, she saw injured with broken bones and cuts on their body helped through the Gate by their fellow crew. Then, the Colonel ran down the stairs when she saw Faith with her hand in a sling, a limp and a bandage wrapped around her forehead being helped through the Stargate by Xander whose shoulder she had her arm around.
As she went into the crowded Gateroom, she saw more crew walk through the Gate and was soon followed by the rest of SG1 minus Willow, and Daniel.
"Attention!" said Colonel Carter, "medical personnel take the seriously injured to the infirmary immediately, everyone else report to the isolation rooms until you can get post mission checks. We've gotten in extra medical personnel to take care of everyone, now move!"
"Sam" said Faith as Xander helped Faith down the ramp, "I don't have to go do I? I mean come on, Slayer healing here."
"Faith" said Colonel Carter as she nodded towards the waiting doctor with her gurney.
"Please?" asked Faith as she gave the Colonel a pout.
"Faith" said the Colonel with one eyebrow raised.
"Pretty please?" asked Faith, "you know, with a cherry on top?"
"Move it, young lady" said the Colonel with a smile as she gently put an arm around Faith's waist while she and Xander led the brunette Slayer to the gurney.
"Fine" huffed Faith as she hopped onto the gurney wincing in pain before she was rolled out of the Gateroom as she waved her fist in the air, "but I get to come back later on, I'm not done yet I tell you."
"I'll, ummm…. stay with Faith" said Xander as he moved towards the direction that the nurses took Faith before Colonel Carter grabbed onto his arm and held on tightly.
"That was a gutsy, but stupid move you did back on Edina" said the Colonel as she looked at Xander, "you got yourself into a situation in which you had no idea what was going to happen, and since you said that you have the knowledge of a soldier, I can guess that you know what you did was extremely dangerous and foolhardy."
"Carter" said Colonel Mitchell.
"But" said Colonel Carter, "I received a preliminary report from Colonel Pendergast that said you showed exemplary courage in helping to get some of the crew to safety. I hope you realize how lucky we all are that the ship wasn't destroyed with all hands on board."
"I do" said Xander as he nodded his head, and the Colonel let go of his arm and nodded to an SF.
"Sergeant" said Colonel Carter, "take Mr. Harris to Faith's bedside."
"Yeas, ma'am" said the SF as he led Xander away.
"Oh, Mr. Harris" said the Colonel, which made Xander turn around, "your wife is expecting a call from you on Edina. She said, and I quote 'I don't have to raise him from the dead now', any idea on what that means?"
"Yeah" said Xander as he grabbed his neck and gulped, "can I stay here with you guys? You know, for protection?"
"No" grinned Colonel Mitchell, "consequences man, gotta live with 'em."
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he gave Xander a respectful bow before the younger man smiled and walked away with the SF.
"Kinda hard on him weren't you?" asked Colonel Mitchell.
"Yea" sighed Colonel Carter, "I know his heart was in the right place, but…. Yeah. Anyway, where's Willow and Daniel?"
"Daniel Jackson is mediating the negotiations between the Rand and the Caledonians" said Teal'c, "as for Willow Rosenberg…"
Colonel Carter noticed the exchange of looked between Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c and immediately started to worry. Faith was already injured, did the same happen to Willow as well? Were her injuries worse?
"Cam?" asked the Colonel as she looked at Colonel Mitchell.
"She was badly injured" said Colonel Mitchell, "she did a space walk without a space suit."
"She did what now?" asked the Colonel completely shocked, "did I hear you right?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c, "it would be best if Willow Rosenberg herself explained what happened when she recovers."
"Why isn't she with you?" asked Colonel Carter.
"Sam" said Colonel Mitchell, "Jackson saw her; he said that her arms and legs were swollen from her time in space, she broke bones in her right arm. When they took out the debris that cut into her, they also found that some of the bones in her hand were broken, and her muscles were torn."
"Wait" said Colonel Carter waving her hand in front of her unable to belive what she was hearing, "what debris?"
"Apparently" said Colonel Mitchell, "the debris came from the satellite."
"Huh?" said the Colonel.
"Daniel Jackson believes that Willow Rosenberg disabled the satellite by punching through the outer shell" said Teal'c as the Colonel looked on shocked.
"Carter" said Colonel Mitchell as he put his hands on the shoulder of the surprised officer, "she's alive and on the Prometheus. The doc didn't want to move her until he had reset the bones, reduced the swelling and taken out the debris. The last we heard, she was healing slowly on the Prometheus. She'll be fine."
"Get checked out" said the Colonel still surprised, "we need a briefing as soon as you're able. General Landry and General O'Neill are on the way."
"Sure" said Colonel Mitchell as he squeezed the Colonel's arm as he passed her by.
It was three hours later that General Landry and General O'Neill had returned to SGC. Their first order of business was to meet the injured and the crew who had been on the Surface in the Caledonian territories. The two generals then walked over to the briefing room where they saw that Faith was already seated in one of the chairs with her head still wrapped in a bandage, her arm in a sling and her ankle was tightly wrapped. General O'Neill noticed that there was a crutch on her left side, but had waved her to remain seated when she attempted to stand.
"Hey Big-G" smiled Faith, "hell of a day, huh?"
"You tell me" said the General.
"Carter, Mitchell" said General O'Neill, "good job all around, I hear the Odyssey made it to the Prometheus in record time?"
"Yes, Sir" said Colonel Carter as she nodded her head, "Colonel Emerson had begun the transfer of supplies to the Prometheus. We should have the sublight engines, shields, and the hyperdrive ready in about twelve hours."
"That long?" asked General Landry.
"The damage was extensive, sir" said Colonel Carter.
"Ummmm" said Xander as he put up his hand.
"Mr. Harris?" asked General Landry.
"It took two hits to cripple the ship" said Xander, "it… I have to say that it was scary as hell."
"I heard you did good out there" said General O'Neill, "saved some lives."
"Wasn't much" said Xander as he scratched his head.
"It was enough" replied General Landry, "just don't pull a stunt like that again. If you want to spend some time on the Prometheus, then you have to go through the proper channels. You need to be trained, that is if you're willing. Faith has been training on the Prometheus for a little over a year… or is it two?"
"Can't really recall Big-K" said Faith as everyone looked at her, especially General Landry with a look of surprise.
"Big-K?" asked the General as he got to his traditional seat and motioned everyone to sit down.
"Big Kahuna" grinned Faith, "took me awhile to get that… what do you think?"
"I like it" said the General.
"Now that we have that settled" said General O'Neill, "any news from Daniel or Red?"
"Daniel Jackson has been continuing to negotiate with both parties" said Teal'c, "he has been finding it, irksome… as he put it."
"We know that the Caledonians won't accept anything that Rand has accepted" said Colonel Mitchell, "in this case, Origin. But the Caledonians don't want to leave their fair planet."
"Has anyone told them that they'd be at war again if they stay?" asked General O'Neill, "the Prior will probably force them to go to war?"
"I believe Daniel Jackson has reminded them of that fact many times" said Teal'c.
"Ok" said General Landry, "do we have any planet in mind?"
"Sir" said Colonel Carter, "there is one."
"Edina?" asked Xander as everyone looked at him, "I'm sorry, I know I'm the outsider here but is relocation really the only way to go? I mean can't the two society's live in peace?"
"If they do" said General O'Neill, "then they'll be killing each other. What we can do, is give them the choice to move there. If they decide not to, then it's on them."
"Sir" said Colonel Carter, "in this case, I'd recommend talking to Mrs. Summers."
"Mrs. Summers?" asked Xander and Faith.
"Like it or not" said Colonel Carter, "Mrs. Summers is still dead on Earth, which technically makes her an Edinian…"
"Technically" said General O'Neill, "well, she'll be officially resurrected tomorrow. The paperwork's done already, even came up with a cool cover story."
"Sweet" said Xander.
"Yes" said Colonel Carter nodding her head, "but, as I was saying….."
"I know what you're gonna say, Sam" said Faith excitedly, "since she told us that she's been one of the elders of the village for the past three years, she'll be able to guarantee the Caledonians who want to move that Edina would be safe. Am I right?"
"Yeah" smiled Colonel Carter, "I know it's highly unusual, but they can always move to another planet at a later time. But for right now, we can ask Mrs. Summers if she's willing to take refugees."
"The homes are still intact" said Faith, "there's running clean water, fertile land, it's not too cold."
"Still feels kinda creepy though" said Xander.
"We can make it a stop-gap measure" said General Landry, "if they're willing to settle, then they'll have that choice. If they want to leave for another planet, we can give them a list of viable addresses."
"So we talk to Mrs. Summers?" asked General O'Neill as everyone nodded.
"Yes, Sir" said Colonel Carter as she nodded her head.
"What about Willow?" asked Xander, "has there been any news?"
"Mitchell?" asked General O'Neill.
"She and the other injured have been beamed aboard the Odyssey" said Colonel Mitchell, "and she's been put into a hyperbaric chamber which has sped up her healing. She'll be alright, but I'd love to know what she did…. It just sounded so cool."
"Right" said both of the General's as they looked at the Colonel.
"In the meantime" said General Landry, "I suggest that General O'Neill and Mr. Harris go on to Edina, and talk to Mrs. Summers. If she's alright with that arrangement then we'll let Dr. Jackson make the proposal to the Caledonian's, agreed?"
"Right" said General O'Neill as everyone nodded their heads, "let's make a trip through the old orifice shall we?"
"Big-G?" said Faith as she stared at the General with an eyebrow raised, "orifice? Really?"
"We call it that sometimes" said the General as he looked through the window at the Stargate.
"No, Sir" said the Colonel with a frown, "we've never called it that."
"General?" asked General O'Neill as he looked at General Landry who was already getting up from his chair.
"No, Jack" said General Landry as he approached Faith and handed her the crutch after she stood up and balanced on one leg.
"Right" said General O'Neill, "Mr. Harris, let's go."
"Sure" said Xander as he tried to hide the smile that was plastered on his face.
Odyssey, Orbit of Tegalus, at that same time.
Daniel was exhausted, while all the crew who had been beamed down to the Caledonian territories earlier had been sent home through the Stargate, he remained behind to try an mediate a deal between the Caledonian's and the Rand. But so far, he has had no success. The Rand had offered the Caledonians the use of the Stargate to move anyone who didn't want to be under Origin to another world, but even that carried a lot of problems.
'Who would want to be kicked out of their own planet?' thought Daniel to himself as he looked at the starboard side of the Prometheus from one of the windows on the Odyssey, 'at least the others were able to get home.'
Daniel knew that the remaining crew of the Prometheus would be leaving on the Odyssey, as the Prometheus has only a small skeleton crew since they would be towed through hyperspace. Even that had brought a massive problem, the Prometheus wouldn't survive hyperspace entry since the hull was too unstable. It was one of the last remaining engineers who had the idea to use one of the Naquada reactors and rig it into the ship's systems to power the shields. She had explained that ordinarily, a ship flying through hyperspace can't be shielded because it needs all that power to be rerouted to the hyperdrives, but since the Prometheus will only be towed through hyperspace under the Odyssey's power; then a shield around the Prometheus should prevent further buckling of the hull. There was no way to test that theory until it was actually time to go, and someone had to remain on the Odyssey to make sure that the shield wasn't straining the Prometheus or the Odyssey.
Colonel Pendergast had volunteered to be the one on board the Prometheus, which eventually led to the other Prometheus crew also insisting on returning to their ship. However, Colonel Pendergast had ordered the others to stay on the Odyssey. But after much debate, it was agreed that only eight out of the remaining twenty or so crew of the Prometheus will be needed, with the others travelling on the Odyssey.
"Dr. Jackson and Colonel Emerson to the infirmary" said a voice on the P.A system, "Dr. Jackson and Colonel Emerson to the infirmary."
Daniel shot out of the room he was in and headed to the infirmary worried that something may have happened to Willow. Instead, what he found when he entered the infirmary was Willow inside a transparent hyperbaric tank pounding on the inside with one hand, demanding to be let out.
"Major" said the Doctor, "your wounds, they haven't…."
"Doc" said Willow, "I'm feeling really claustrophobic in here… I'm healing; you said it yourself that my swelling had gone down considerably."
"Yes" said the doctor as he nodded his head.
"Then get me out of this damn thing" said Willow.
"Major" said the Doctor, "you lost a lot of blood and….."
"Daniel" said Willow as she saw the archaeologist, "tell him I'm fine, nothing's wrong with me."
"You had massive injuries, Willow" said Daniel as he walked towards the tank, "and a lot of blood loss, the doc's just afraid you're still too weak."
"I'm fine, Daniel" said Willow as she moved her left arms and feet, "see? Everything's moving. Yeah I know my right arm is in a sling but that will heal in time. My soft tissue injuries are all fine."
"Doctor" said Colonel Emerson as he walked into the infirmary, "what seems to be the problem?"
"Troublesome patient" said the Doctor as he put his hands into the pocket of his white coat and looked at Willow.
"Sir" said Willow as she nodded at the Colonel.
"Welcome on board the Odyssey, Major" said Colonel Emerson, "now, the problem?"
"Sir" said Willow, "I'm fine, I don't feel weak… I agree my arm's broken so I can't do anything about that until it heals in a few days…. I just want to be out of this contraption. I'm already healed up, Sir."
"Sir" sighed the doctor, "she lost a lot of blood, and she could still be weak. I'm recommending another hour in the chamber. Then, I'll move her to one of the beds in the infirmary. Her wounds are healing much faster in here, sir."
"Sir" said Willow as she lifted her head, "I'll roll around in a wheelchair for the next couple of days if it makes the doctor happy, but anything but staying stuck in here. I swear I won't do anything strenuous until the doc gives his seal of approval."
"doc?" asked Colonel Emerson, "does that met your rest requirements for our troublesome patient?"
"As long as she rests, sir" said the doctor as he stared at Willow, "no work while on board this ship, is that understood. If I see you, or hear that you picked up a wrench… or sat behind a console… it's back into the infirmary for you. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir" grinned Willow, "thanks, Doc."
"Dr. Jackson" said the Doctor as he nodded towards a wheelchair in the corner. As he ran to grab the chair, Willow slow got off the bed and sat up with her legs hanging off the edge of the inside bed as the cover was removed. Willow slowly stood up on the grey coloured floor of the infirmary, turned around and sat down on the wheelchair.
Willow then looked up at the doctor and Colonel Emerson, and grinned.
"Thanks" said Willow.
"Remember what I said, Major" said the doctor.
All of a sudden, every alarm and klaxon in the ship went off at the same time.
"Colonel Emerson to the bridge!" said a voice on the P.A system, "Colonel Emerson to the bridge!"
"Doc" said the Colonel as he ran out of the infirmary, "get ready for possible injuries."
"Yes, Sir" said the doctor.
"Daniel" said Willow as he ran behind her wheelchair and pushed, "we need to go to the bridge."
Daniel and Willow were close behind Colonel Emerson as they entered an elevator and travelled to the bridge level of the ship. Once the doors opened, Colonel Emerson was the first to run out into the hallway towards the bridge, followed by Willow and Daniel. Once they entered the bridge, the entire area was a flurry of activity.
"Sir!" said the Major at the scanning console, "we're reading radiological signatures from Caledonian territory"
"Full power to the shields!" shouted Colonel Emerson, ""has the Prometheus activated her shield?"
"Yes, sir."
"Dr. Jackson" said Colonel Emerson as he looked back at Daniel, "I thought they were listening?"
"They were" said Daniel, "I.. I don't understand.."
"Sir" shouted another Captain, "they're not aiming the missiles at us…"
"Dear God" said Willow as she widened her eyes in shock.
"The Rand" said Daniel as he brought both of his hands to the top of his head in shock, "they're firing at the Rand."
"Get me a communications link with the Caledonians" said Colonel Emerson as he looked at his communications officer who nodded her head.
"They're not responding, sir."
"Missiles launched" said the Major as the weapons station as he looked at his screen and then at the large window in front of him, "confirmed…. They… the missiles are heading for the Rand Protectorate."
"How many?" asked Colonel Emerson softly.
"Ten have been launched, sir" said the Major, "another twenty silo's are opening."
"Daniel" said Willow as she looked at the stunned face of the archaeologist as he walked towards the main window and looked at the destruction occurring on the planet below. Not wanting for him to be alone, she slowly got off the wheel chair and walked towards the bespectacled archaeologist. She put her left hand on his shoulder and watched as explosions occurred on the surface of the Rand Protectorate.
"Sir" said the same Major softly as he looked back at Colonel Emerson, "the Rand have just opened their nuclear missile silos."
"Confirmed?" asked the Colonel.
"Radiological signatures are confirmed, Sir" said the Major as he shook his head, "they're firing."
Willow and Daniel saw more explosions in the Rand protectorate and the Caledonian Confederation. One nuclear explosion after another on both continents, as the crew of both ships bore silent witness to an armageddon happening before their very eyes.
"We made a mistake of coming here" said Daniel softly as he started to tear up, "this is partly our fault, this wouldn't have happened if we never came to Tegalus."
"You're wrong, Daniel" said Willow as she tightened her hold on his shoulder; partly to comfort the man and partly to prevent her legs from buckling at witnessing even more explosions on the surface, "when we came here the first time, there were already deep divisions just boiling under the surface between the two countries. True our arrival caused it to boil over…. But it would have happened eventually, with or without our intervention. You did everything humanly possible to help them."
"Major" said Colonel Emerson as he looked at the man to his left, "inform Stargate Command of what's happening and…"
"Sir" said the Major, "we're getting a subspace message from Star Gate Command, it reads….. it reads…."
"Major?" said Colonel Emerson as he saw the man shake his head, "what's the message?"
Willow and Daniel turned around to face the Major as well when he didn't answer the Colonel immediately. Willow could sense the shock and guilt, just emanating from the man as he looked at them, and then at Colonel Emerson.
"The SGC wanted to offer the Caledonian's a place on Edina" said the Major, "they wanted to make the proposal to one of the elders on that planet, and…"
"It's alright" said Colonel Emerson as he saw the look of guilt on the man's face, "please inform Stargate Command that there is no need to make a proposal. Colonel Pendergast and I will inform them of what happened."
"Yes, sir" said the Major as he looked back at his screen and wiped a tear as the whole bridge silently watched more explosions on the surface of Tegalus. In the meantime, Colonel Emerson had contacted Colonel Pendergast, and agreed that they would, make a joint report on what just transpired.
"You did everything you could, Daniel" said Willow as they turned back to look out the window, "you did everything you could."
TBC.