Kobol, 2100 hours.
Dawn and her team had been running in fits and starts for the past one and a half hours. Their plan was to head to a meeting point they established sometime after the call went out from Major Neely in regards to the vampires that were attacking his camp. It was going to be a place where all four teams would be able to join up, and then move together towards the cave that contained the Stargate.
It was a decision made by both the Colonel's after speaking on their subspace radios for thirty minutes with each other while they made their way towards the cave`
"Sirs," said Grogan as he and the others trudged along on heavy legs after running continuously, "what if these vampires are already at the Gate?"
It was that question that made the Colonel reassess their next move of each group heading for the cave on their own.
"Summers," said Colonel Ferretti over the subspace radio, "is there any way to protect ourselves until morning?"
"That's what I've been trying to think, Colonel," Dawn replied through the radio while the Colonials and Cylons continued walking with the Earthers, "we usually need a private home to keep vampires away on Earth. Which is why that fact that Major Neely and his team is being holed up inside the Colonial Raptor shouldn't work."
"But it is," said Major Neely as he, and the other Cylons and Colonials looked at the vampires that were gathered outside the ship, in terror.
"Yea," said Dawn as she and her team continued to walk, with the Cylons and Colonials, who were already informed of what was happening, whispering to each other on various question which included if it really was possible that blood demons existed. One of the Number Eights then said that the screams they heard over the radio weren't fake, that there was real terror behind it. While the Cylons and Colonials continued to talk in hushed tones as ordered by Satterfield and Grogan, Dawn told Colonel Ferretti that a probable reason for the Raptor being recognized as a private home was due to the rules of magic being different on Kobol, "I mean, we could try and find ourselves a cave to occupy until morning, and it's possible that we'll be safe. But then again…"
"If the vampires find us in a cave, and there is no protection," said Colonel Ferretti while all the Earthers continued to listen in, "then we'll be slaughtered."
"Like I said, Colonel," replied Dawn into the subspace radio, "the rules of magic could be different here. I don't know if the raptor is a fluke, or the rule… but what I know is that if you give out an invitation to the vampires.. then they'll get into the Raptor."
"Oh, they're getting no invitations from me," said Major Neely as he looked around at the Colonials and Cylons. He then looked at the vampires who were growling and snarling at them, with a few trying to leap into the ship only to be thrown back onto the ground after hitting the invisible force field, "although they're trying their best to get into the ship."
"You'll be safe until morning, Major," said Dawn.
"Once we contact the SGC, or… wait a second," said Colonel Ferretti looking at his watch before he spoke into the subspace radio, "Major Neely, Dave, the SGC's supposed to be contacting us in a few hours so.."
"Right," said Colonel Dixon as Major Neely breathed a sigh of relief.
"But here's hoping that the vampires don't get to us before that, sirs," said Grogan, "and the two we left at the Stargate are still alive."
"Thank you for your optimism, Grogan," said Colonel Ferretti sarcastically while Satterfield and Dawn chuckled.
"Okay," said Colonel Dixon as he took out a map. It was a copy of the map that the Colonials had made of the surrounding area when they last came to Kobol after retrieving what they called the Arrow of Apollo. Colonel Dixon and Colonel Ferretti, as well as the personnel from the other two teams took out their copies of the maps. Colonel Ferretti and Dixon then told the other two teams to meet up at a particular grid reference point before they travelled to the Stargate together.
"BY the time we meet up," said Colonel Ferretti, "it would be time for the SGC to contact us, and then we'll tell them the situation."
"Understood," said the other teams. As the teams moved towards each other, they had no idea of knowing that the vampires were following their scents from a great distance. Where the vampires had been running towards each separate team, with more spilling out of the cave while drooling at the thought of drinking human blood once again; they had changed direction once they noticed that the scents were moving in another direction.
So they followed.
Most of the vampires ran on the ground, while others were jumping from one tree to another. They were about to feed once again after millennia; and they were eager to sink their fangs into human flesh once again. They were eager to taste blood.
It wouldn't be until three hours later, that the two teams would meet up.
Once together, the large group would walk towards the cave with Zats in hand for the Earthers while surrounding the Colonials and Cylons.
Control Room, SGC, 2200 hours.
It was finally time for the SGC's regular check-in with the teams on Kobol. Walter sighed as he dialled the Stargate and watched patiently as the wormhole activated. And once it had, he activated the MALP camera and lights. Turing on the radio, which was used to give orders to the two officers in the caves, who would then use their sub-space radios to relay those orders to the teams out in the field. It wasn't the perfect scenario, but the second generation MALP that was being designed by Willow would be taking care of those issues.
Plus a few other niggling problems.
For now though, the SGC had to perform their checks in this way.
"Stargate Command to Kobol base team," said the bald technician as he looked at the computer in front of him. Walter didn't see any movement as he moved the camera arm while repeating himself. Narrowing his eyebrows together while he leaned forward at the screen, he pursed his lips when he found two unconscious bodies lying on the floor. The man lowered the camera arm, which had a small flash light attached, and repeated himself once again.
"Kobol base team," he said into the microphone once again while reaching for a phone to his right side. When he received no answer, and when the bodies lying on the floor showed no sign of movement… he picked up the phone and pressed a number. With General Landry still in his office checking on some reports, Walter called the man and told him that there was something wrong with the Kobol base team.
"They have no movement, and I don't think that they're breathing, sir," said Walter when he suddenly leaned forward towards the screen again when he noticed a shadow moving on the floor. It had darted from the left to the right while the phone was still on Walter's ear. He told the General that he was using the MALP's speakers to send a message as well, but there was no response, "but I have shadow's moving in the immediate area, sir."
With the General saying that he was on the way, Walter nodded his head and put the phone down. The man then thought of an idea. He reached for the keyboard and tried to connect the call to Kobol through the subspace radio that they usually used for communications to their ships. He knew that the subspace radios that the teams were using on Kobol were prototypes that were supposed to be used in conjunction with the newer MALPs, and new equipment at the SGC which hadn't been installed yet. While Walter was typing as sweat gathered on his forehead, he saw two more shadows dart by across the wall. Stopping what he was doing, Walter pressed another button and gained control over the camera arm once again. As he raised the camera arm of the MALP, Walter heard footsteps behind him that he knew were from General Landry. Walter looked over his shoulder at the man who walked down the last few steps of the metallic stairs behind him, and said that he hadn't been able to identify the person, or persons, in the cave.
The General stopped behind Walter and then reached for the microphone.
"This is General Hank Landry of Stargate Command, identify yourself."
"Sir," whispered Walter as he looked up at General Landry, "what if it's one of the Colonial's or Cylons?"
Before Walter could continue saying anything, the both of them then looked at the screen to the right when a loud growl came through the microphones on the MALP. Remaining in stunned silence, Walter, General Landry, and a few of the other personnel who had heard the growl, followed by more snarls in the background, stood around the main console. Sweeping the camera around, Walter stopped when a grey coloured flash just darted past the light.
"What the heck was that?" asked General Landry. He then tapped the technician's shoulder and asked him to move the MALP around. Nodding his head, Walter used his keyboard to turn the entire MALP around, as well as the camera arm. They saw more grey flashes darting in front of the camera and its flashlight, as well as shadows dancing on the wall thanks to the blue light from the wormhole. They continued to look at the screen when a body jumped out at them.
And the General's eyes went wide open, as did the eyes of everyone who was watching, when they saw a flash of yellow eyes, forehead ridges, pointed ears, and fangs… all on a pale face with sunken eyes. They heard the creature growl as it tipped the MALP over. The camera arm was then moved upwards as four more of the creatures dashed out of the darkness and towards the MALP. The last thing the people at the SGC saw, before the picture went out, was the creatures baring their fangs.
"Get Major Rosenberg and Faith here," ordered the General as he tapped Walter's shoulder, "but first, I want to know what's the closest ship we have to Kobol."
"Understood," said Walter as he picked up the phone while pressing down on his keyboard.
"Walter," said the General, "get someone to help you connect the subspace radio we have, to the same frequency that our people are using in the field."
"Trying, sir," said Walter as he picked up the phone, while the General went up to his office. He knew that Willow and Faith would be jumping at him to go to Kobol to make sure that Dawn would be kept safe. While Walter was calling Faith and Willow, General Landry was going to call General O'Neill and apprise him of the situation.
Willow and Faith's home, 2115 hours.
Willow and Faith had just gotten back from the SGC an hour ago, and were now simply sitting on the couch holding onto each other while watching some TV. Faith was seated down while Willow leaned against her body against Faith's left side, and then placed her head on the Slayer's shoulder. The redhead placed on hand on Faiths knee while the Slayer was stroking the back of Willow's head.
The redhead then reached forward to the coffee table for her champagne, and brought it to her lips before placing it back to where it was. Signing, Willow then lay her head on Faith's lap, all while the dark haired Slayer put her fingers through the redhead's hair.
"I like this quiet," mumbled Willow as she turned her body and looked up at Faith. The Slayer then brushed her finger along Willow's lips and smiled. She then leaned forward and kissed Willow full on her lips, the redhead putting her hand on the back of Faith's head and pulling her downwards. When they broke the kiss, Faith smiled and said that they needed to keep their energy up for later that night.
"I was thinking pizza," said Faith, "make it a girl's night out. You, me, Vala, Sam, and little Debbie."
"Ummmm," moaned Willow, while Faith brushed her fingers along her cheeks, "Pizza sounds good."
Faith smiled as she leaned down and kissed Willow's forehead before she leaned to her left and grabbed the phone that was just lying on a side table. While Faith dialled the delivery number, Willow turned to her side again, her head still on Faith's lap. It was just then that Willow heard her cell phone ringing in her room. Sighing, and silently cursing about the interruption, the redhead quickly got up and ran to the room she shared with Faith. In the meantime, Faith was ordering two large pizza's while Willow walked back into the living room with the cell phone on her ear. Just as Faith was about to finish her order, Willow covered the mouthpiece on her cell phone and told Faith to cancel the order.
As Willow went back on the cell phone while running her hand through her hair, Faith cancelled the order while recognizing the look of worry on her wife's face. Faith leaned forward while Willow was pacing, stopping only when she said, "we're on the way, sir."
Willow then disconnected the call and told Faith what happened when the SGC tried to contact Kobol for their regular check-in. Faith's mouth was opened wide in surprise as she followed Willow back to their room while the latter was telling her about the vampires they had seen on camera. Hurriedly getting ready to leave the house, the couple left the house thirty minutes later; with Willow telling the Slayer that General Landry would be calling the BPRI.
"There are no ships nearby?" asked Faith.
"The closest ship can make it there in only eight hours," said Willow, "and… well, although there were just four vampires in the cave where the Stargate is located, the General has a feeling that there could be more out there."
"Which means that the teams are in danger," nodded Faith as Willow drove the car onto the road, and they started to head for Cheyenne Mountain.
"It's bad," said the redhead, "we have no intel on how many vampires there are; maybe it's just those four or we could be looking at hundreds, or thousands. We don't even know if the other teams have been attacked yet. The best thing we could do is try and connect the subspace radio we have, to the frequency that the field subspace radios are using. Then we can contact Dawn and the others and get an idea of what's going on."
"But you, Sam, and Dr. Lee made it near impossible for anyone to break the field radio encryption.. I mean.. it's the same software stuff and…"
"I know it's the same encryption protocol we designed for the new MALP's," said Willow, "which means that I have to get that new protocol to recognize our radio as a new MALP, or we can just do the simple thing and get to the cave through the Stargate, and use the subspace radio the base team used to contact the others in the field."
"Yea," replied Faith with a hint of worry on her voice as she thought about her sister-in-law being in danger on another world. It was true that Dawn was always in danger while heading through the Stargate, as were all of them, but this was the first time ever that they were in danger from vampires on another world. At that thought, Faith nodded her head before whispering that Giles' crazy theory was correct, that the Goa'uld must have taken vampires along with the kidnapped human population to the planet that would later become Kobol.
"He's gonna be surprised," chuckled Willow as she continued driving. It was then that Willow's phone, that she kept on a cradle, went off ringing. She looked at the caller ID and frowned when she saw Buffy's name on it. Connecting the call, Willow and Faith heard Buffy's worried voice asking if it was true; that the SGC had found vampires on another planet… the same planet that Dawn was on a that moment.
"Yeah," replied Willow as she continued driving, "we're heading back to the SGC now, Buff. What did General Landry tell you?"
"We're meeting you guys at the SGC after we get some stuff ready here," said Buffy on the other line as she ran out of her house with an equally worried Xander behind her, "Angel said he's joining us on the mission, and…"
"It's be nice to have a vampire in the good guys side with us," said Faith.
"Yeah," replied Buffy, "I'm coming, Kennedy too, and our three new Slayers. We'll be having six of our most experienced Potential Slayers coming along as well and… and Angel's already talked to Tara about getting some of the sunlight Solaris bombs ready. Do you have any idea where Dawn and the others are?"
"That's what we're going to be finding out once we get to the SGC," said Willow, "but for right now, if we can't get the old subspace radios we have in the SGC to connect to the new ones, then the plan is to send a team to the planet, and contact them through a subspace radio that we sent with the base team. Then we can get an idea of what's going on."
"We'll see you guys there," said Buffy before she disconnected the call as she closed the passenger side door. Sitting back, the blonde Slayer became silent in worry as Xander reversed their car, and then drove as legally fast as possible down the road. Buffy was biting her nails as she thought about the danger that Dawn was in facing vampires on another planet, another planet that it was only theorized that the Goa'uld had unknowingly taken vampires in the first place.
General Landry had explained to her that there was absolutely no way to be certain that the planet would really contain vampires. He had told her that if the SGC had known, then they wouldn't have sent teams there with a set of nine prototype subspace radios that could be for one team to stay in touch with another team over enormous distances on a planet.
"In fact," General Landry had told her, "I would never have allowed an expedition to Kobol if we had known."
And Buffy understood.
Dawn told her about the adventures she had going through the Stargate, and Buffy knew that she loved it. Buffy knew that Dawn had already grown out of her shadow, and she was proud of her little sister. But this was different, not only was Dawn in danger… so were seven other teams out there…. And with a ship only able to arrive in eight hours, the SGC needed the BPRI's expertise in fighting vampires to hold the line until morning at best. Buffy remembered the General saying that the Odyssey was on the way… and that once it was in orbit, then everyone would be beamed back to the ship.
And the planet's Stargate address would be locked out of the dialling computer.
It was only fifteen minutes later that a worried Angel and Cordelia met with the two of them outside the BPRI. Getting out of the car, with the stars out high in the sky, Buffy and Xander approached the co-administrators of the BPRI who told them that they had already notified Tara.
"She's preparing six cases of full powered Solaris bombs," said Angel as they walked up the stairs from the parking lot to the main BPRI building, "Rona and the other Slayers are coming in, along with Satsu and the other five Potentials you wanted going with you. And I'm ready too."
"Thanks," replied Buffy as Angel nodded his head. Buffy held on to Xander's hand tightly, while they then followed Angel and Cordelia into the BPRI.
They were about to launch a launch a rescue mission.
Kobol, Stargate Cavern, an hour later.
With the MALP, along with the light and the camera, smashed to bits, the cavern that contained the Stargate was now occupied by fourteen vampires. All of them were picking the devices apart, their already hungry minds and bodies trying to make sense of what they were seeing; but ultimately failing.
They were still so hungry as they looked longingly at the bony remains of what used to be the bodies of the two officers from the SGC. The pack that one of them was wearing was thrown to one side before the vampires ate their flesh, tearing it clean off their bones. As the vampires lay around the area of the Stargate, they became instantly alert when, suddenly, the chevrons started to light up. Two of the Vampires, after getting onto their feet, trudged along to the front of the ring as the device made an unearthly sound, and the unstable vortex shot out. The two vampires didn't know what hit them as they were atomized before the vortex settled back into the event horizon.
The other vampires sensing that the pool of blue water, some of whom had seen it a few hours ago only after it was activated, growled at it while other bared their fangs and swiped their claw-like hands. Three of the vampires stepped towards the pool cautiously in time to see three baseball sized spheres of glowing glass flung through the pool. They saw the spheres fall onto the floor of the cavern, followed by the sound of the glass that surrounded the liquid inside shattering. Titling their heads at the glowing liquid, the last thing that the vampires saw before turning to dust, was a bright light.
The light was bright enough to fill the cavern's many nooks and crannies, including part of the tunnel entrance that brought the vampires into the cavern from the underground network of tunnels that they were familiar with. One the light had dimmed, the entire cavern was empty off vampires.
After a few more minutes, the event horizon rippled and a group of people, male and female, walked into the cavern through the event horizon while wearing black tactical gear. Most of the females had bladed weapons with them, while some were carrying flame throwers provided by the SGC. Faith, who was one of three people who also included Xander and the Potential Slayer, Kara, wore the Kull armour complete with the wrist mounted plasma repeaters that were present in the original Kull armour.
All of them had on night vision goggles to see better in the darkness that surrounded them; well, all of them except for Angel who was sniffing the air while he vamped out.
Once the entire group had moved away from the Stargate, Faith took the radio out of her left vest pocket and told General Landry that they were already in the cavern, and that it was clear off vampires. She told the General that the officers who had made base camp were dead while Willow walked around the aforementioned dead bodies of the officers, and then towards the subspace radio pack.
"This is Major Rosenberg calling all units from Kobol Base camp, does anyone read me?"
It was just them that a cacophony of voices over the radio that erupted in the foreground, and in the background; one of whom was Dawn who was screaming in joy. Faith smiled while looking back at Buffy who stood next to her before the dark haired Slayer told General Landry that they had made contact with the teams, and that they were ready to head out.
"How many of the teams are alive?" asked the General over Faith's radio. It was a message that Willow had to convey through the subspace radio given that she, as well as Colonel Carter and Dr Lee, we unsuccessful in their attempt to link the subspace equipment to the prototype that the redhead was now using.
"Major," said Major Neely as he responded to Willow's request to sound off, "my team… well, most of my team are alive. I.. I lost four of our people, but the Cylon and Colonial contingent are safe."
"I'm sorry, Major Neely," whispered Willow shaking her head, it was a message that Faith relayed to the General who could only frown. He was shaking his head when Faith relayed him messages that the other three teams they had broken down into weren't answering their subspace radio's.
"They could be dead, Big K," said faith as Buffy shook her head while Rona asked how many people were lost.
"A lot," said Willow who was looking back at Rona while Kennedy put a hand gently on her shoulder, as well as a shaking Vi to calm her down.
"Colonel Reynolds, Colonel Ferretti, are your teams safe and accounted for?" asked Willow as she looked at a worried Buffy.
"We're all accounted for, Major," said Colonel Ferretti, "what's the plan?"
"That's my question, sir," said Willow, "where are you guys headed?"
"Back towards the cave," said the Colonel, "we're meeting in one spot, and then we'll travel together as a group towards the Gate."
"Sir," said Willow while Faith was relaying what the Colonel had just told Willow, to General Landry, "I need the coordinates that you'll be heading to. When the SGC contacted base camp, they found the two officers dead and the place filled with a few vamps. Those vamps are dead now, but there's no way to know how many are out there in the open. Coming towards you."
"I can tell you that there's a lot here," said Major Neely over the subspace radio.
"Major," said Willow, "the Odyssey will be heading to this planet in about seven hours. They will be picking you… hold on a second… how are you and your team alive?"
"Long story that I'm not even sure how to start, Major," said Major Neely.
"Long story, Willow," said Dawn, "something I'll need to talk to Giles and Tara about when we get back."
"Okay," asked a confused Willow as she shrugged her shoulders at an equally confused Buffy, "listen up, all of you, once we know your meeting place, we'll head out. We've got enough firepower, Slayers, and Potential Slayers who hold off a small vampire army."
"What's a Slayer?" asked Major Neely.
"Long story," said Willow and Dawn together while Buffy chuckled.
"Willow?" Dawn asked, "is Buffy there?"
"Yea," Willow replied as Buffy gave off a small smile, "so's Xander, who totally rocks the Kull armour."
"You know it," grinned Xander as he checked out the plasma repeater on his wrists.
"You have Faith, me, Buffy, Kennedy, Angel, Tara's Solaris bombs and the new Slayers, and some Potential Slayers," said Willow as she stood up while swinging the pack that contained the subspace radio to her back. We're coming for you guys."
"Cool," said Dawn.
"And Major Neely?" said Willow, "wherever you are, don't invite the vampires in. You'll be safe if you don't do that."
"Understood," said Major Neely, "but I think the Colonials and the Cylons are already getting a bit… and I don't blame them, a bit antsy."
"Summers," said Colonel Ferretti, "I need you to calm them down. Tell them what Major Rosenberg's already told us."
"I will," said Dawn while Colonel Ferretti told the redhead the meeting location of the four separate teams.
"Red," said Faith as Willow looked back at her wife, "General Landry wants you to tell them to be careful. And Godspeed."
Willow smiled before giving the teams the message from the General. It was then that the Stargate was deactivated, and Willow told the coordinates for the meeting spot. Once Colonel Ferretti had issued them the coordinates, Faith took out her map while Buffy held a torchlight and searched for the meeting place. In the meantime, Willow listened to Dawn telling Major Neely's team, in Ancient Greek, that a rescue ship was coming for them in seven hours; and that they were safe exactly where they were.
In the meantime, the people carrying the cases that had the BPRI logo on the surface put them down onto the floor, and opened them to reveal spherical containers of the magical Solaris bombs; magically created sunlight in a glass sphere.
"We're coming for you," said Willow over the subspace radio, "in the meantime, be safe."
TBC.