Roads Paved in Shadow

Book I

CHAPTER THREE

UCW Resolution

3 lys outside Ashtorath Border

Shang-La

State of the art sensors penetrated deep into the dimension call jump space. Waves of subspace emissions passed into the strange either bouncing and reflecting off eddies and currents and gravitation echoes giving the operator a three-dimensional view of everything within three light years. But the results were deceiving as the subspace transmission were not fully configured for use in the alien strata. It represented a good approximation of the real thing. Still the results were good enough for the crew of the Resolution to scan the region.

"So far nothing," Lieutenant Greens informed the Captain who nodded an affirmation. "Lots of data. No vessels of any kind."

Two hours had passed since the stealth vessel began its scans of jump space. Although the Resolution had records of the dimensional layer called jump space, Lieutenant Greens was still in awe at what the data was showing her. This dimension was nothing like the hyperspace she and the crew were used to. Jump space was a completely different medium. One of its properties was that the dimension was more compact than normal space and that allowed for faster travel as compared to normal space. The mathematical computations needed to properly scan from normal space into the JS dimension and generate useful, understandable data was a nightmare. One light year in normal space equaled to three AUs in some places and in others varied to one third light year and that was just in one region scanned.

Dimensional jump space contained identifiable as well as random occurring eddies and currents of differing types that stretched as far as the sensors could detect. There were objects there that sensors outright refused to identify. But was most surprising was that the entire dimension seemed to act like an ocean. There were no specific markers to be used as waypoints other than the gravitation echoes generated by super planets, stars, superstars, and black holes.

"Our more eccentric explorers are going to love this data, Ma'am," continued Greens. "We are recording what the sensors are identifying as false echoes. Several gravity shadows were detected which might have corresponded to local stars or gas giants. It's little wonder that beacons were used to create artificial points of reference," she muttered to the captain as she continued her scans. "I'd expect we'd be lost for sure."

"We'll, let's be thankful that we don't use it," Alden commented. "It seems very limiting."

"Obviously not to the people who use it regularly," the captain answered dryly. "You would be amazed at how quickly people can get used to a thing."

"They can have it, Captain. I've scanned for any form of beacon or locator devices that might be used, but I've not found anything other than two small vessels located one half million kilometers' stationary in normal space."

"Two small vessels out here so close to Goa'uld territory and only a half a million klicks from our position? Interesting."

"They're the only thing around, Ma'am. No beacons in the area according to the scanners."

"I didn't imagine you would find anything," Commander Alden explained. "As per our records, if one of the races uses the jump space dimension, then their beacons would be in their local space, most likely not out here. Otherwise, I imagine we'd be running into the bloody things all over this sector. I'd also imagine the Goa'uld would be most displeased with beacons cluttering up things near their space."

"Have the ships detected us?" the Captain asked.

"There's no change in their energy profile," Greens announced. "There is no evidence of either ship performing a sensor sweep of any type. I don't believe they have detected our passive scans."

"Secure from active sensor sweep," the Captain ordered. "Keep the program will you, Lieutenant? We will probably be using it a lot more often."

"Lieutenant Mason Blakeslee looked up from the tactical station. "Should we contact the two vessels, ma'am? They are in the middle of nowhere and close to Goa'uld territory."

Lieutenant Greens turned to her captain. "At this distance, without actively scanning them, I am unable to determine if the vessels are functional or require assistance."

"You may be correct, Lieutenant. If it were one ship, then maybe. Two ships are suspicious. They may be assisting the other, but this close to Ashtorath territory? I prefer to err on the side of caution. Deactivate stealth mode and cloak us. Lieutenant Sama, move us closer to the targets. Take your time, don't rush. Continue passive scans only until we can determine the status of the vessels. Watch carefully for any roving Goa'uld patrols."

"Yes, ma'am. Cloak active." There was a change in the lighting indicating that the ship was fully cloaked. "Starting our approach."

Onboard the Caynon, Mister Morden sat in his favorite chair, cross-legged from his associate Anna Sheridan. He had just finished reading her mission report, which admittedly had gone better than his. Overall their reconnaissance mission was considered a success and had yielded more information than either of them expected. This space was unique and their associates were pleased at the possibilities presented to them.

But being so close to the Goa'uld territory now was a gamble that could blow up in their faces. If a Goa'uld patrol happened along, the plans so carefully crafted for so long would be jeopardized. Years of preparations could be lost and their associates would have to start all over again. This part of the mission was over and Morden and his people were waiting for their ride. It would be safer for them to wait in jump space but this area was almost completely unknown and there was no way for their two ships to remain stationary without a point of reference. The real threat of drifting off course due to eddies and current could easily trap them in that dimension forever. Without any points of reference, they couldn't dare re-enter into normal space blindly as the presence of currents and eddies usually meant object emitting gravitational pulls. Usually these objects were planets, stars, the occasional black hole or any of a thousand stellar objects waiting to destroy their ship and kill them all. Or, they could emerge in an unknown area of space where they have no points of reference effectively marooning them with no possibility of them getting back. Neither ship was equipped to handle such emergencies. At least, not yet.

His associates were coming soon and would safely take both ships through jump space to their next destination at speeds that the Caynon and the Hennison couldn't hope to match. They could safely navigate this unknown jump space. So now it was simply a matter of waiting until they came.

Seated across from him, Anna continued eating her sandwich. She was a beautiful woman but Morden had never been interested in her when they were crewmates on the explore ship Icarus or afterwards when they had reached Z'ha'dum. Of course, he was more concerned with staying alive then. Most importantly, he was in love with his wife and even if Anne, who was–once a married woman, would have been interested, she was now a different woman from what she was before. Her experience on the planet had changed her, changed all of them.

Including himself, there were only five of the Beckman crew members still alive. Having the Icarus lose its primary life support system had delayed exploration for months. The IPX replacement got them to where they needed to go and then–everything changed. They weren't looking for that world near the edge of the Rim, the one whose most recent name is Z'Ha'Dum. but the Minbari records indicated that it was a world of unimagined power and evil. That intrigued the then Senator Clark gave personal orders for the Exploration division to find it and bring back its secrets, if any. It was supposed to be a dead world anyway so anything of value would be salvage or of value to the scientific community. Personally, back then, Morden always suspected that Clark and his military, political and industrial allies had ulterior motives. Now he was sure, however they had no idea just what they were looking for.

That was more than twenty years ago.

Most all the others were dead now, killed by his associates when they landed on the planet. Looking back at it, it was such a waste. The captain and the rest were fools. They should have accepted the terms given them and lived. But most of them refused and by the time they'd approached Jason, Fred, Anna and himself, beings called Shadows (no human could possibly speak their actual names and the entities had so many different designations over the thousands of millennia that it no longer mattered to the Shadows what others called them) had changed tactics to get the remainder of the crew to cooperate. As for Morden, he was offered a deal that would save his family. His wife and daughter's space transport was lost in jump space when their jump engine failed. His associates promised to find them if he worked with them of his own free will. He quickly agreed. It took them a year but they kept their promise. The ship and crew were dead as main power and auxiliary failed months earlier but they had kept their promise and having no choice he honored his.

He was augmented with their technology, not as much as Anna, but still he wasn't the same man as he used to be anymore. Unlike Jason and Fred, Anna had refused their associates' offer and so they took and blended her with one of their ships. It was only when the Eye of Shadow saw her possibilities did they realize her importance for the future did they disconnect her. By then, the Anna that he'd known didn't any exist anymore. She was wedded to Shadow body and soul. Morden was indifferent to her transformation. What was done was done. It mattered little to him as he was just as bonded to them as she was. It was only how it was done, not why.

"Gravity is a wonderful thing," he muttered while drinking his coffee. "I wish we had had it earlier."

"Yes," Anna agreed. "My two associates approved of the Goa'uld answers. I think we can develop a working relationship with them after a few adjustments."

Morden frowned as he responded. "I'm glad you were more successful than I. The Tok'ra aren't the ones we're looking for but they're still useful in some fashion. The man Beru will be most helpful and he's already been implanted. Unfortunately, though, our fears are confirmed. Everywhere I've been, there's talk of the Tau'ri."

"I've confirmed that as well," Anna said as tried smiling. It almost worked. That was one thing that Morden had that Anna had lost; the ability for the smile to reach her eyes. "They are a new power in this galaxy; but a very young power, still growing. The Goa'uld have definite opinions about them. Our associates are most pleased with their hostility."

"That's very good," Morden said. 'Our main concern was the Asgard and their interference. That's no longer a potential problem. They're extinct according to my sources."

"That's what I've concluded as well."

"There's no evidence that any of the survived as far as any of our sources can tell. However, I think we should focus more on the Tau'ri. They will interfere." He shrugged. "That might as well be their middle name. I believe that our associates will have to deal with them much sooner rather than later. They have inherited the Asgard technology but they are still integrating it. If they're not stopped now, they'll always oppose us."

Anna's eyes glazed over for a second as she communicated with her associates. This was something not even Morden could do. He heard them. He felt them but he might as well be a babe when compared to her. Anna was far superior. His was a connection. Hers was a bond.

He was frightened of her and she knew it. Such beauty in darkness. He was still partly human having made a choice to serve. Whatever it was that made her human was gone.

"This space is the perfect scientific laboratory," she began. "Many of the intelligent species native to this area were wiped out by the Goa'uld. They've spread humanity across hundreds of worlds and most of them are pre-industrial, perfect for our associates to shape in any way they see fit without interference from the others."

Both Anna and Morden were nodding in agreement. There was a time coming soon when beacons would dot this galaxy and hyperspace modes that everyone here took for granted would be a thing of fading memory. Limits needed to be established, controls instituted if the experiment was to be properly monitored. It would take time and sacrifice but in a few generations, when the experiment was primed and everything was in place, the fruits of their labor would be magnificent. Unimagined numbers of people were going to die, but the survivors would be ideal numbers for control and treatment groups. Other species abound in this galaxy but humanity in such numbers and in such diverse cultures were perfect. Three to four thousand years in the future the study could begin in earnest. And best of all, the others wouldn't be around to interfere.

But that was for the future, one neither of them might not live long enough to see. But that was unimportant now, both need to focus on the here and now.

"The Goa'uld will remain a variable but a greatly reduced concern when our associates are finished." Anna glazed over once more as more information was imparted to her. "There are a few races that might try to interfere," she grumbled. "But they're far in-between and are insignificant. No First One interference."

"I do have one concern. Our space is contained by the limitations of Jump space. Containment here will be a problem. These stargates…"

Anne agreed. "I've thought about that as well. I've already spoke to our masters about this and they were not concerned. They are eager to see the ultimate results of their experiments. Different sections of the galaxy can be experimented upon independently. More experiments can be performed with added variables that they could never use in our space. Failed experiments can be terminated without threat. Every stargate we encounter will be destroyed, removed, or denied access. We will control them or find a way to prevent them from operating. We are studying them now. Our masters are studying ways to disable the network.

Morden was pleased by this. Sections of the galaxy separated by distance would be experimented upon independently. It was a fantastic opportunity. "Then we need to contact the Tau'ri and begin operations."

"We can't get near their star system. Their sensor net is very sophisticated according to all reports," she answered. "Our masters are very cautious and their concerned is justified. The worlds near them are controlled by a species called, unremarkably, the Race. That empire is part of the alliance and with them employing and extending the sensor net that stretches twenty-five light years in all directions we won't take the chance of discovery."

Morden shook his head in wonder. "That is amazing. We had nothing like that at home."

"Yes, and our masters have chosen not to press our luck."

"Is there any way for us to get past it?"

"No. It has to be Asgardian in nature. These people are powerful, but as I've said before they are still very young and we're going to have to take advantage of this as soon as possible. We have a window of opportunity here but it's shrinking quickly."

"Morden nodded in agreement. "Then we need a distraction to keep them out of the way until we complete he next part of our operations. They may have to be eliminated before they become strong enough to interfere with our plans."

"Not yet," cautioned Anna. "They will be useful in cutting the heart out of the Goa'uld without our associates using their precious resources reserved for other activities."

"Our masters can handle them if necessary."

"You are correct, Morden," a voice in his head answered. Two entities known as Shadows appeared next to him. "They are a young race taking their first steps into space. But our time is limited and they are powerful. It is a shame we were unaware of this place for so long after the war. If we had known we would have begun our operations sooner and the Tau'ri threat would have been minimalized. Because of the delay, we will have to take a more proactive stance when they interfere. For now, our interest is in the Goa'uld. Their answer pleases us and they can be most useful. To show them our sincerity we will honor one of their wishes. You have inserted our servants to the Tok'ra. He will be most useful when we directly engage the Tau'ri."

"But the Tok'ra are within the sphere of the Tau'ri's sensor grid. Any action against them will be noticed very quickly."

"We are aware of this. That is why indirect action is being prepared. That is why the stargates are so dangerous. Your scheduled meeting with the Tok'ra will not be necessary. We will, as you say, take it from there. Anna, you will return to the Ashtorath once the mission is completed."

"Yes, my master."

"I have to point out that the Tok'ra seemed to be somehow aware of your presence," observed Morden.

Anna nodded in agreement. The Goa'uld acted as if Anna was a threat and she also believed that the snake aliens could to somehow sense her two Shadow companions.

"Yes. We have exposed ourselves them enough that we can now use our natural ability to shade ourselves from the Goa'uld. They will no longer sense us unless we want them to. This galaxy is ripe with possibilities and we must have it. So many humans. We will use them all to our purpose. But first, the Tok'ra. Then we will turn our attention to the Free Jaffa Nation. They will be easy to subvert. The Tok'ra known as Beru's activities shall be useful in disrupting the Tau'ri. But for now, our newest servant will serve a different purpose"

UCW Resolution

The cloaked Terran warship stopped less that twenty kilometers from the two stationary ships. Both were similar, looking more like pleasure cruisers than any deep space vessels.

"Captain, their sub light engines are cold. I am no detecting any hyperspace engine on either ship," Greens whispered as her hands flew across her sensor panel. "What I am detecting is an element very similar in properties to naquada. It's highly toxic and radioactive. Prelim scans indicates that it is being used as a fuel source, but I've not seen this on a ship before. It's a completely new element or more likely an isotope of the same base that naquada is comprised of. As we know, Naquada is defined as a naturally occurring if somewhat rare mineral. This radioactive substance they are using must be part of the composition of naquada. If isn't as energetic but still useful enough as an energy generator. It very likely has other properties we are unaware of but one can handle naquada with their hands and not be irradiated unlike that material. It's closer to naquadria. However, this …this isotope it is much more energetic but at the same time less likely to explode if used under the conditions we're seeing now. I can surmise that all three are related to one another, each having their own unique properties."

"Interesting, makes me appreciate even naquada more," commented the XO. "Have you detected anything wrong with their ships?"

"Negative, sir. Power generation is stable. I am not detecting any energy buildup or spikes. Both ships seem to be just waiting there."

"Life signs are human as far as we can tell and are not under duress." Looking at the display screen, the officer frowned. "My scans need calibrating. I'm getting some type of false reading. One moment it says somethings there and the next nothing. It's like an echo, Ma'am. There are no destress calls from either ship and their engines are cold. Are they waiting to rendezvous with another ship?" questioned Sama. "Or maybe with an escort of some type?"

"We have three hours before our regular check in," Captain Chandra said. "We'll watch for two more hours for any signs of distress. If nothing occurs we'll be on our merry way. If they're not in distress, then it is none of our concern. They'll just become part of our packet. If they wish to remain near Goa'uld territory then that is their business."

"And if a Goa'uld patrol happens upon them?"

"The Goa'uld are trying to be change their evil ways," was Chandra's sarcastic reply. "They are an 'enlightened empire' now. They may even help those people though I wouldn't hold out much help that they would treat us with such kindness." That produced a small chuckle amongst the bridge crew. "Continue scanning space for any sign of normal hyperspace activity vectoring in this direction. Commander, refresh my memory. How many ha'taks do the Nun have that are capable of…bloody hell!"

"What was that?" Sama literally screamed as she clutched her head. Something, a sound mixed with a presence of something abhorrent, violently intruded onto what she thought of as 'her awareness'. Whatever that scream was, could have been far, far worse, but it still created a backlash that nearly floored her. And she wasn't alone in her distress. Everybody on the bridge was effected in one way or another.

"Contact! Three contacts, two thousand kilometers and closing on the two stationaries."

Captain Chandra was back in her chair looking at the main view screen. The long-distance cameras were centered on the incoming vessels but she couldn't see anything. "Identify targets and see if we can get a visual."

"Captain, our computers can't find a match," Greens announced. "The Asgard database has come up empty. The configuration is like nothing we've ever seen before. "I have it on visual."

Alden looked intently at the main screen squinting. "I can't see anything."

"There!" Chandra said pointing.

Alden continued to squint. "Captain, I…" He froze as his eyes picked out three objects slowly closing in on the two stationary vessels. The objects were black in color but the hull shimmered a silvery color that had nothing to do with the ambient star light. Each leg like appendage possessed extending multiple spike-like protrusions. "It looks like a huge almost spider in space; too many legs though." His tone was saturated with disgust. A spider was an inaccurate description but for now it was the only thing he could compare it to. The trio ships looked deadly in every aspect. "Could this be a Ree'tu v idea of a spaceship? It looks like something they might build and if it is, High Command really need to have a talk with them."

"Maybe. But if they have, they've kept them a close secret. One of the vessels is one point five kilometers in length. The other two are eight hundred meters each. Propulsion is unknown. Weapons unknown but I've no doubt they have them. Sensors are registering them as life forms!"

"Passive sensors lock onto them and get as much data as we can," Chandra ordered. "Go full combat cloak. Back us off slowly. I do not want them seeing us."

Instantly, the ships red stealth lightening turned blue as the Resolution's cloak activated at max power."

"Living ships of an unknown race. Are there pilots? Or are these living space-dwelling entities?"

"They are predators," Lieutenant Commander Mason Blakeslee said quietly. "They came from nowhere. We must assume that those ships have some unique form of faster than light propulsion available to them."

"I am intercepting communications between the unknowns and the three unknowns," whispered the comms officer. "Regular radio transmission surprisingly, but the encryption is very complex and I haven't been able to break it as of yet."

"Our ride is here," Morden muttered.

It never ceased to thrill and terrify him looking at a mature Shadow battlecrab through the tiny window of the pleasure cruiser. He should be used to it by now he thought lazily. Soon he and the forty-seven crew members and guests on both ships would be at their temporary home in a matter of hours instead of weeks so that they could plan their next moves as soon as possible. Time was growing short and there was a lot of things to do.

"All crew and guests, we will be docking momentarily. Remain in your seats, in your restraints. For you own safety, do not touch the hull of the ships once docking is completed."

Morden made sure that his restraints were secured. Oh, yes, he and Anna and a precious few others were safe. They could touch shadow and live, that wasn't true for anyone else not augmented. For them to touch a shadow ship's hull was to die. Whether you secured in your space suit or not, it didn't matter. The crew was well aware if this and they always took the proper precautions. His musings were interrupted by a soft chatter in his ear. Anna's usually indifferent eyes went cold as she listened.

"Something is wrong," Anna said. "There is a void where there shouldn't be."

"I know," Morden answered as the ship jerked from being docked with the huge vessel above them. His ever-present companions had just informed him. "It'll be dealt with."

UCW Resolution

"Ma'am, the large vessel is docking with both ships," Talia Greens quietly announced.

"I can see, First Lieutenant," Chandra said and then added so softly that no one else noticed, "just barely."

The huge two-kilometer-long ship had gently grabbed the two waiting ships, by extending appendages which clamped around the two ships, giving further credence that the vessel was a living organism. And to her eyes, it seemed to shift and her mind had trouble understanding what it was seeing. It began to move away slowly. The other two vessels stopped and shook for an instant. Both spider vessels went from casual movements to quick abruptness. The leg-like appendages spread out further from its main body.

"Captain! Energy profiles on those two ships just increased by over two hundred percent," Greens whispered urgently. "They're scanning the area."

"We've been discovered," Alden hissed.

"Sama, continue to back us off slowly," Captain Chandra softly ordered. "Keep it smooth. Keep a close eye on them and be ready to run."

"Yes, ma'am."

"They're definitely scanning the area. Core database indicates they're using tachyon emissions and are performing a grid pattern search."

"Can they detect us with tachyons?" the Captain asked.

"I am not sure. I don't even know if tachyons can be used in such a manner. I suggest we not find out."

"They're extending their search. They are definitely aware of our presence."

"CIWS, passive lock," Chandra ordered. "Missile systems online. Lieutenant Sama, I want us out of here, stealth hyperspace jump. They don't know where we are yet. I do not want them to see who we are."

Talia started speaking quickly. Her hands were flying across her sensor board. "One of the vessels has turned away from us and the other one just cloaked. Correction, both are cloaked. It was unusual, more like some type of spatial phase."

"Get us out of here, any vector," Chandra ordered. Lieutenant Sama nodded as he powered up the hyperdrive engines just as the lieutenant commander urgently called out.

"Proximity shields just snapped on! The spider ships are back. "One is…"

The Resolution felt as if a mountain had slammed into it. "All hands, battle stations! Shields to full power. Go full evasive. All weapons and sensors active."

"Hit it as it passes!"

"Firing!"