End of the month means a new chapter.
As always, please read and review. I hope you all enjoy!
-Spearhead
The Lagrangian Point Defence Satellite sat in the dark space between planets, specifically between Lantea and the desert planet that shared the same solar system.
The satellite, or weapons platform depending on who was speaking, was incredibly damaged when it had been discovered by the Batilla's Might.
Damaged during the invasion of the system over 10,000 years ago, the defensive placement had been dormant ever since.
Upon realising what the station was, the droid crew of the Might had been given a new directive, temporarily suspending all previous orders.
Now, the jetpack equip droids were buzzing around the artificial construct taking detailed scans and visually mapping damaged areas.
Revan had already guessed that some of the components would need to be fabricated on the Might and given permission to use the ships Energy-Matter Synthesis technology.
In the first few weeks since the arrival of both parties, the Jedi Master had been reluctant to allow the power hungry system to be used.
However with the Star Forge slowly constructing itself, very soon being at a stage to allow the Might to dock and recharge, Revan was more lenient but still requested justification.
They had already depleted a large amount of the ships energy supply getting to Atlantis in the first place.
Then there was the fabrication of mining machinery, creation of the hydroponics equipment and synthesis of the tools currently being used in the study and salvage of the Wraith Supply Ship.
Now those resources would be tapped again to repair the Defence Satellite, so very little would remain, just enough to keep the ship flying.
It was a strangely beautiful sight, Erica couldn't deny it.
The large defence platform sat like a sleeping giant while a dozen blue lights from jetpack thrusters flickered around it.
With HK-47 and Revan busy on the Star Forge, she had been given temporary command of the Might.
Her assignment was simply to oversee both the repair effort on the satellite and the study of the crashed Wraith vessel.
Both required almost no input from her, she was more of a point of contact for an emergency.
Erica had to admit to herself though, the small break from the near constant training was welcome and she would rather be on board the Might than down on the desert planet.
"Commander, the report from the team tasked with repair of the weapons platform." One of the Sentinel-Class droids informed handing her a data pad.
Erica accepted the device and began reading, noticing that there wasn't actually much wrong with the structure, the interior near perfect condition.
However, the reactor was seemingly depleted and there was weapons damage in several key areas. The report hinting that this is what caused the satellite to both shut down 10,000 years ago and probably saved it for them to use.
Just as she was about to say something, one of the consoles on the bridge started to beep, the droid attending the station quickly pressed several buttons.
"What is it?" Erica asked, putting the data pad down.
"We are receiving a priority signal from Atlantis." The droid answered, turning slightly to face the ships current commander.
Major John Sheppard stood in front of a window looking out at the void of space beyond.
The Star Forge was truly beautiful and amazed the military man. The flaming ball that was powering the station's construction was just as breathtaking. The arcs of flame dancing several thousand miles below his feet could humble anyone that watched.
Anyone except maybe the man that was approaching him, ready to destroy his calm.
"Major, there you are." Rodney McKay said as he got closer, his computer tablet in his hand, beeping at his touch.
"What is it, Rodney?" Sheppard asked, sighing as his peaceful moment was shattered.
"We've begun the assembly of the first Solar Capacitor. The components for the second are being synthesised while the first is being built." McKay informed, continuing to press on his tablet's touchscreen.
"You came here to tell me that?" Sheppard queried, both confused and frustrated.
"No, we received a communique from Atlantis via the holographic com-link. Doctor Weir wants to talk to us, Revan too." McKay answered, putting his computer down for the first time to look at his teams leader.
"Alright, let's go." Sheppard sighed, before he stepped past the scientist and began walking towards where McKay had appeared from.
It didn't take the pair long to return to the auxiliary Control Room they had been using since their arrival, the window Sheppard had been using only being a few corridors away.
As they stepped into the spacious area, computer terminals beeping and blinking, Revan stood with a hologram of Elizabeth Weir.
"What is it?" Sheppard questioned, recognising the look of dread on the Doctor's face.
"While you've all been on the Star Forge, we were attacked by Wraith Dart. One of our jumpers were shot down, but before we intercepted it, the vessel transmitted a signal." Elizabeth said, looking deflated.
"Okay, to where?" Sheppard asked, looking at the woman.
"Doctor Zelenka managed to get Atlantis' deep space sensors working. John, the Wraith are coming." Elizabeth replied, not really answering his question. Her words striking fear into the military man, his gut twisting into a heavy knot.
"We'll be back soon." Sheppard nodded before slamming his hand onto the console to close the channel.
"Oh god, we are so dead." Rodney whimpered, looking around the empty room.
"We have to get back to the city. Can the droids continue working on the capacitor without McKay?" Sheppard queried, looking at the Jedi Master.
"Of course." Revan nodded, sensing the fear that was pulsating from both men.
"Good, we have to go." Sheppard ordered, heading off towards the hanger bay they had arrived in.
Rodney simply followed the man, seemingly already defeated, ready to just surrender.
"This used to be easier." Revan commented before setting off after the pair.
Three Wraith Hive ships, behemoths carrying death, were headed for Atlantis and there was a lingering sense of dread no matter where in the city you stood.
Revan could feel the fear through the force, Erica struggling with the constant waves of negative emotions. So much so that the Jedi Master had considered shielding her mind, but had decided this was a good opportunity for her to understand what war truly brought.
"So, what are our options?" Weir asked, her fear masked by the strength she broadcast by her presence.
"Other than panic?" McKay asked, looking over to the expedition leader.
"Yes, other than panic." Weir nodded, her eyes wondering around the room.
"What about the Might?" Sheppard asked, directing the question more at Revan than Elizabeth.
"If it were a single Hive ship, I would be willing to at least attempt to combat it, even without knowing the full capabilities of the enemy. But three of them are out of the question. The Might simply wouldn't survive long enough to do enough damage." Revan informed, shaking his head from his seat around the table.
"Not to mention their escorts and fighters." Erica added from her position behind her Master.
"I'm guessing the same problem would apply to the Star Forge?" Ford queried, his eyes dashing between master and padawan.
"If it were complete, the Dreadnought would make swift work of the Hive Ships. But in its current state of construction, I simply don't know." Revan answered honestly, rubbing his chin as he thought about the half completed station.
"What about the city itself?" Sheppard questioned, his eyes darting over to McKay.
"Well the Star Forge and it's droids are currently assembling the Solar Capacitor that will power the city shield." McKay informed, looking rather smug about the declaration.
"Statement: Assembly of Capacitor One will be completed in five hours and fifty-two minutes. Synthesis of Capacitor Two components is complete, however, we do not have the time or workforce to begin assembly." The hologram of HK informed, the droid being on the Star Forge as the meeting took place.
"It's already been two weeks, what's a few more hours." Sheppard said, forcing a smile that quickly vanished behind his concern for the situation.
"HK, how long will it take for the Star Forge to charge the Capacitor?" Revan asked, glancing at the hologram, taking into consideration what everyone else had forgotten.
"Records indicate charge time to be forty-eight hours." HK responded after typing on an unseen terminal.
"So when we have the power equal to a ZPM, I think we should dial Earth." A scientist by the name of Cavanagh suggested.
"Rodney?" Weir questioned, looking at the man for an answer to the question she hadn't asked.
"Dialling Earth shouldn't be too much of a power drain, although with only one Capacitor, I would be reluctant to keep the connection for too long." McKay nodded confidently.
"Then I'm inclined to evacuate all non-essential personnel back to Earth." Weir said, thinking out loud.
"Maybe they can send some reinforcements." Ford commented, a gleam of hope in his eye.
"You never know." Sheppard nodded.
"Don't forget about the droids and AA defences being built by the Star Forge." Erica added, her hands clasped in front of her.
"We aren't, but a few extra hands won't hurt." Ford said defensively, looking at the woman of a similar age.
"I hate to say it, but all the reinforcements in the galaxy won't matter if we can't do anything about the ships in orbit." Zelenka reminded, appearing more fatigued than usual.
"Can we build a new ship, using the Forge but with our technology?" Sheppard asked, glancing towards McKay and his counterpart.
"What're you nuts? Do you know how long that would take?! No! There isn't enough time!" Rodney whined, his own exhaustion making him more irritable than usual.
"I was just asking, McKay." Sheppard snapped, scowling at the scientist.
"Even if you had a design ready, it would still take weeks or even months to build." Revan said, adding to the conversation.
"Perhaps the SGC can spare the Prometheus or ask one of our allies for help." Zelenka suggested, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Well we won't know until we can dial them." Ford reminded.
"As soon as the capacitor is charged, I want it bought to Atlantis." Elizabeth ordered, looking over to Revan.
"It will be done." Revan nodded, accepting the strong woman's command.
"What about the satellite?" Peter Grodon asked from behind his laptop.
"Erica?" Revan asked, not even looking to his Padawan.
"Inspections are complete, the droids made use of the schematics that were found on-board and all of the damage is seemingly repairable. But it will take time for the Might to fabricate the parts." Erica explained to the room.
"If we get the thing operational, what kind of damage to a Hive ship can it do?" Ford queried, looking to no one in particular for a response.
"According to the Ancient Database, when fully operational it should be able to take out all three, which would be great. " McKay informed, .
"yes it would. But regardless, Major, I want your team to pick an address from the list of worlds that may have a ZPM and depart within the hour." Weir ordered.
"Understood." Shepaprd nodded.
"What? Why? We don't need a ZPM if we have the capacitor." Cavanagh interjected.
"Because while the capacitor will be capable of powering the city, I would prefer to have a ZPM as well, if possible." Weir stated bluntly, slightly annoyed at the scientist.
"We'll then perform several tests before attempting a connection. When we actually dial, I will request assistance and discuss an evacuation plan with the SGC. We will also prepare a data package for Earth, containing everything we can fit into it. For now, you all have your duties to attend too, dismissed." Doctor Weir explained before ending the meeting and leaving the conference room, the other members of staff heading off in different directions after following her.
"Elizabeth." Sheppard's voice calling after her as she reached the edge of the control room.
"I know what you're going to say. If the SGC could spare a ship, they would have sent it already." Elizabeth informed as she turned to face the man.
"Then why even ask?" Sheppard queried, looking her directly in the eye.
"Because I'm hoping when they see how desperate the situation is, they'll send the Prometheus anyway." Elizabeth answered.
"Okay." Sheppard nodded, just accepting her reply, unsure of what else he could say or do.
There you all go!
As you can probably tell, I did change a little bit of the canon here, but I hope it's for the better.
Please review and let me know your thoughts.
-Spearhead