Glad everyone liked this so far – I've got a fair idea where this is going so let's go with a bit more
Three – The Master Chief
Unlike the more advanced Hyperdrive systems used by the Ancients, the Asgard and humanity the Wraith Hyperdrives were less efficient. Due to this they were slower, incapable of transit between galaxies and they needed various pauses to recharge. The organic hulls of their ships also benefitted from the pauses allowing them to recover. One of these pauses brought the three Hive ships heading to Atlantis out of Hyperspace just inside the Lantea system just within range of the defence satellite which the Expedition had reactivated, it was believed by the expedition that the Ancients had built them specifically where these pauses would occur so they would do the maximum amount of damage to an invading fleet.
Now there was only one satellite remaining in the system and even then, it had a jury-rigged power source, with Dr Peter Grodin onboard the satellite targeted and fired a laser blast which burned through one of the Wraith Hive Ships from stem-to-stern shattering the ship into two pieces leaving only two ships operational. Unfortunately, power levels dropped significantly after the first shot leaving two vessels to continue their journey to Atlantis.
"So that's it you're going to be approached by two Hive Ships" Weir said speaking with Sheppard who was in a jumper heading for the predicted jump in point of the enemy ships. Alongside him was Lieutenant Ford while the Master Chief was in the rear cabin.
"Understood, we'll do what we can but you should continue with the evacuation and self-destruct." Sheppard said as he heard a large "bang" in the rear section of the ship. Sheppard glanced over but he could not see what was happening suddenly there was a second large noise. "Elizabeth, I'll have to get back to you…" he said signing off the call and quickly getting out of his chair just as a third "bang" echoed through the cabin. "What in the hell are you doing?" Sheppard asked the Master Chief who had fixed a tri-pod to the deck of the Jumper.
"Giving you some extra firepower" the Chief said in response picking up a large machine gun and attaching it to the tri-pod. "You are going to need this more than me." He said
"And attaching it to the deck of this ship without speaking to me? What would have happened if you punched through the hull?" Sheppard demanded
"Little chance of that, given the thickness of the ship's rear hatch I surmised that the rest of the hull would be more than capable to withstanding the strikes of the three locking pins." The Chief explained "you'll lack the endurance of one when it is attached to a Warthog or a fixed position but it should be enough to eliminate a flew waves of Wraith."
"It's a nice piece of gear" Sheppard admitted "next-time ask before attaching something to the hull." He said with a more reconcilable tone admiring the weapon, this should help. Sheppard's personal radio beeped again the Major reached over to it and clicked the radio "Sheppard go"
"Major, this is Colonel Dillon Everett of the US Marines, we're here to save your butts." The unfamiliar male voice said over the radio "what's your status?"
"Elizabeth confirm!" Sheppard demanded angrily into the radio, an unfamiliar voice was not what he needed on the radio.
"Weir-Sierra-Victor-Seven-One-Four" Weir said providing her personal security code confirming what was being said.
"We're prepared to launch an assault against one of the Wraith Hives" Sheppard responded to his new immediate superior "sir" he added at the end.
"We… as in you and the alien that has rocked up" Everett asked "how do you know that he is not a greater threat?" Before Sheppard could answer Cortana's voice interrupted him.
"The Master Chief is not an alien!" She snapped angrily "who exactly do you think you are!" They could hear the anger in her voice "you want an alien I can give you a damned alien!" Cortana screamed ranting at them "THE MASTER CHIEF HAS FOUGHT ON DOZENS OF WORLDS FOR YOU!" She continued to rant "he has defended humanity against the Covenant; the Flood and the Forerunners how dare you question him…"
"Atlantis, this is Sheppard, sounds like you have got your hands filled down there. We are going to go radio silent until the Wraith arrive. Sheppard out." He said signing off the message glancing around the cabin "you're not an Alien Chief?" The Master Chief looked at the Major and his helmet moved to the side. "does it matter?" Sheppard asked rhetorically "right" he said walking back to the cockpit.
For several moments there was silence in the cabin before Sheppard heard a loud click Sheppard turned to see the Master Chief remove his helmet armour. When in combat the Master Chief knew ever Spartan he had ever fought with, he had known them all since he was six years old, he trusted ever marine and ODST he had ever fought with because they had gone through the training like he had and they all had a common goal. Now these two men needed to know who and what he was fighting with as he revealed his face to the two men.
The two Wraith Hives arrived in close formation near to the orbit of Atlantis three days later, as they arrived both ships deployed several smaller support ships. "Now we know what we face" Sheppard said quietly behind him the Chief stood looking out of the window his armour sealed up again, he looked human to Sheppard but he was bigger than anyone he had ever seen before. "Moving us in" Sheppard said the Jumper was cloaked making it invisible to the naked eye and to Wraith sensors. Standard operating procedure was for the Wraith to launch fighters known as Darts against enemy targets conducting close air support attacks while their ground forces engaged the defenders Sheppard planned to use this launch to their advantage.
As they closed on their targets, they saw fighters exiting from the lead Hive ship "that's our way in" Sheppard said "hang-on" he said dodging the launching Darts Sheppard expertly avoided the ships and brought the Jumper into the carnivorous launch bay. Inside was a mixture of blue colours and lights marking a landing spot. "You sure about this?" He asked looking at the Master Chief who only nodded. "As soon as I decloak this thing we are going to get a lot of attention."
"I'll keep it on me." Master Chief responded checking his assault rifle.
"Ford, while he does what he can, you and I need to set up some defensive lines, grab the claymores" Sheppard said bringing the Puddlejumper into a landing unsealing the rear hatch. As he landed the ship, Sheppard uncloaked the ship. Before the rear ramp had even fully opened the Master Chief had run out of the vessel straight into the heart of the Wraith ship his goal was clear, kill as many of the enemy as he could and do as much damage to the vessel as possible.
Running the Chief felt weighed down, he would normally attack enemies carrying one or two weapons, now he had an assault rifle in his hands, a battle rifle on his back, pistol sidearm attached to his thigh, grenades and a close in personal weapon that he had not shown the Atlantians yet. As he passed an open corridor, he threw a grenade into the opening and continued moving. Behind him it exploded in the middle of a group of Wraith as he moved encountered the first two Wraith and opened fire with the assault rifle. The stream of ammunition tore into the chests of the two aliens cutting both down with multiple hits.
The Master Chief continued to move through the ship firing as he went several energy blasts from stunners landed around and beside him, he rolled to a stop on his knee and opened fire with his assault rifle again cutting down two more Wraith emptying the clip. He reached backward switching the assault rifle onto his back, it automatically locked onto a magnetic pad and he grabbed the battle rifle. He immediately lifted the weapon took aim and fired on several approaching Wraith cutting down one with weapons fire. Stunner blasts came at him from multiple directions as Wraith approached from all around several blasts struck the Spartan's shields. The Chief remained in his knelt position ignored the effects of the stunners and returned fire on several different directions continuing to engage. His shields continued to take hits but he remained focused on his mission using the burst fire battle rifle to strike several Wraith with headshots killing them instantly.
Back in the hanger at the jumper Sheppard and Ford were holding their ground keeping more Wraith busy at the landing site narrowly avoiding being hit from blasts. "Ford, keep moving don't let them pin us down!" He shouted engaging with his P90 the two men were laying down a suppression barrage which could match half a dozen marines. They were more than a dozen metres away from the Jumper using the Wraith door ways for cover. "We'll hold them for another minute then pull back to point two." The minute passed slowly as the two men engaged multiple Wraith drones at the doorway gunning them down but also going through ammunition at a fast rate, if this was a suicide mission they planned to make every moment count.
"Move back to point two, Ford!" Sheppard ordered clicking his radio "Master Chief, we're falling back to point two of three, status!" Sheppard barked as Ford first pulled back and then Sheppard followed at point two Sheppard picked up an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon from one of the next defensive positions. The large machine gun had a large box of ammunition under it and was used for keeping entire squads of enemy troops and vehicles down, he needed that just now. The Major then opened fire with the weapon filling the doorway with bullet fire several Wraith fell as he engaged but they kept coming. "FORD, THE CLAYMORES NOW!" He shouted at the young lieutenant ducking down. Lieutenant Aiden Ford acted flicking a detonator switch and there was a large explosion near where the two men had been moments before.
Elsewhere on the ship the Master Chief was on the move once more gunning down various Wraith as he went through the ship, he was glad to see that the cumulative energy of the various Wraith hits did not have a long-term effect on his suit's shields or his alertness. His Battle Rifle ran empty, without more ammunition he had thrown it at a Wraith, a heavy metal object thrown by a Spartan was an object and it knocked the drone out. Leaving the weapon behind he had swapped back to the assault rifle taking the fight closer to the Wraith. Years of battle with the Covenant had left the Master Chief a seasoned warrior but even he could not do much once he ran out of ammunition he needed to make every fight count. As he had ran and fought, he had moved closer to the centre of the vessel as a room opened ahead of him, he threw a grenade and used the last of his assault rifle ammunition cutting down several Wraith who were guarding the room. He threw away the rifle and grabbed the pistol from his thigh. He used the pistol to take out two Wraith at the far end of the room with rapid head shots, the magnum was a powerful weapon for a pistol and neither had a chance, their deaths left a single figure in the middle of the room. The figure was clearly a "she" he could tell that from her figure and her bright red hair which went half way down her back she was standing beside several controls and in front of an impressive looking throne. From what Sheppard and the others had said the Master Chief guessed that this was the Wraith Queen, the leader of the hive.
"Who are you to defile this H—I—V—E!" She screeched steeping towards the Chief's his pistol remained aimed at her keeping her at bay "humanity does not possess such technology, Identify yourself!" Unlike the drones/thralls who wore face masks which entirely covered their faces and armoured uniforms her face was entirely uncovered she looked vaguely human except for her mouth where her teeth seemed to be more pronounced and she appeared to have an extra row of teeth. On both cheeks she had what appeared to be an extra nostril while she wore her hair straight down her back.
"Sierra 117" The Chief answered simply giving away as little as possible.
"Keep your mystery you will die in that armour."
"That's been said before" the Chief replied as two Wraith males appeared behind him an attempted to grab his armour. They were surprised to be knocked off at least initially by his armour's shields although he saw a significant drop in their power by the physical attack. The Chief rolled away from them to the left of the Queen and brought his pistol back up gunning down one of the males in a volley of six shots like the Queen these Wraith's faces were uncovered, their white hair and black robes were quite elaborate. The second Wraith male was able to get closer knocking the pistol from his grasp it then plunged its hand into the Chief's chest only to be stopped by the shield "surprise" he snarled punching the Wraith in the face staggering him backwards.
Unable to feed on the Chief the warrior drew a long blade intent on striking down the Chief with the weapon. "Two can play at that game" he said drawing the Covenant Energy Sword from his side igniting the alien weapon its twin blades energised from the curved hilt joining to a single point. The Chief stood in a ready position prepared to lunge at the warrior if he had a choice. The Wraith saw this as an honour challenge raising his weapon to his face before swinging it at the Chief who dodged the swing and sliced downward with his own sword narrowly missing the warrior the two spun away from each other and attacked again this time the blades collided and both were surprised when the two blades held firm together locked in an embrace.
"That doesn't normally happen" the Chief grumbled pushing back on the Wraith forcing his opponent away, he leaned backwards and kicked the Wraith in the chest staggering him, the two swung their weapons a couple more times sparing with each other their strikes being deflected to the left or right. Off to his side the Chief could see the Wraith Queen standing looking angry at the Chief's skill. Ignoring her the Chief finally saw an opening and lunched forwards this time missing the enemy's defensive parry plunging the energy blade through the Wraith's chest.
Back at the jumper Sheppard and Ford were back near the jumper; their final fall-back point. Sheppard was engaging Wraith on both sides firing short bursts into the Wraith warriors cutting them down even as more Wraith were dropped off behind them. "MAJOR!" Ford screamed both in fear and pain Sheppard spun his weapon aimed, he paused for a moment in shock as he saw a Wraith had plunged his arm into Ford's chest, Sheppard was ready to fire. But he heard a click behind the Wraith attacking Ford as another Wraith stepped one of the landmines they had planted, Sheppard dived to the ground as the explosive went off consuming the Wraith. The blast sent Ford and the Wraith with his hand on his chest flying into the Jumper, to Sheppard briefly looked inside both appeared to be dead but he did not have time to check on them he threw down the P90 and got on the turret the Chief had fixed to the back of the jumper.
"CHIEF! Ford is down, I am on the turret and need support!" Sheppard screamed into the radio as he began to cut down Wraith with the turret.
The Chief heard Sheppard's call for help and reacted instinctively switching off the blade which was still inside the Wraith's chest with nothing to impale him the warrior fell to the ground. The Chief glanced to his side and saw the Queen had not moved from her central control. He saw his pistol and rolled across the ground to the weapon bringing it up he took aim.
"YOU CANNOT KILL ME!" She screeched at him as the Chief first put three shots in her chest and then two more straight through her head. The Queen died screaming as she slumped to the ground obviously dead, Sheppard had said they had impressive healing capabilities but this time she was not getting back up. The Chief did not take time to savour the victory instead he took off running back towards the Jumper.
Running through the ship with minimal ammunition for his pistol the Chief ignored most of the Wraith intentionally shoulder charging through them like a ball striking bowling pins instead of trying to kill them, when he knocked them to the side, he moved on not even trying to finish them off. With the hundreds of Wraith, they had killed already the corridors were mostly empty as he followed his suit's sensors taking him back to the Jumper's position.
"INCOMING TO THE LEFT!" Chief shouted into the radio channel entering the hanger bay, Sheppard was still on the turret covering the right of the room as the Chief ran into the Jumper. He saw Ford attached to half a Wraith and took no chancers pulling the alien body off their fallen comrade throwing it out of the back of the Jumper. "The Queen's dead get us out of here!" The Chief ordered Sheppard taking over the turret.
"Roger that!" Sheppard said moving past Ford's fallen form he looked like he was still breathing but looked disfigured by the Wraith attack. He moved past the fallen Lieutenant and into the pilot's seat as the Chief continued to fire the turret. "We're going to hit space fast!" He warned the Chief.
"Seal the back compartment I'll keep them off us!" The Chief said continuing to pepper any Wraith that entered the landing bay. Sheppard made sure Ford was in the cockpit and then sealed the doors as the Jumper headed for open space, the Wraith had no control over their ship but a Wraith Dart was trying to stop them Sheppard downed it with a pair of yellow coloured energy drones fired from the two engine pods on the side of the bronze-coloured craft. The drones hit the Dart head on causing it to be consumed by the explosion.
"Hitting open space" Sheppard warned, the Chief moved off the turret into the jumper and picked up a double-barrelled rocket launcher.
"Stay close to the Hive's port side" he said moving back to the rear of the ship.
"Okay, what you got in mind? There's a lot of Darts and another Hive out there!" Sheppard asked turning the ship but staying close to Hive, another Dart made a run at his Jumper but Sheppard quickly engaged it with another pair of drones destroying the ship.
"No-one's controlling that Hive" the Chief said firing his first pair of missiles striking the rear port side of the ship beside the engine thrusters striking one of the engines there causing some internal explosions as the organic hull failed under the hit. He reloaded the weapon and fired another pair of missiles striking another engine causing more explosions. Stepping back inside the rear doors the Chief flicked the control and closed and the compartment pressurized allowing the cockpit to open.
Sheppard flew them away from the pair of Hives as the now out of control had superior thrust from the starboard engines compared to the port side and began a lazy turn to the port side. Due to the two Hives still being in close formation the ship spiralled into the other Hive's path causing the two vessels to collide. The two ships were consumed by a massive explosion which tore both Hives and their support craft to pieces.
As the two ships died another ship appeared in the battle site the Earth Battle-cruiser Daedalus which had been dispatched to support the Atlantis Expedition along with Colonel Everett's forces. Unlike the Colonel's marines the Daedalus had to use hyperspace to travel between galaxies and had arrived late to this fight. Still there was plenty of fight left in the remaining Wraith Darts the Daedalus' multiple railguns cut through the Darts like ribbons while the shield's protected the ship from attacks from the Wraith ships. Not only did the Daedalus provide much needed support in engaging the Darts in space it had also brought a Zero Point Module (ZPM) to Atlantis from Earth. The ZPM was necessary for powering most of the City's critical systems and would provide the City with protection in the form of thick shielding. Several of the remaining Darts tried a suicide run against Atlantis but Dr Rodney McKay had acted quickly on getting his hands on the ZPM and had raised the city's shields resulted in these ships being destroyed just before they caused heavy damage.
While the victory was near total unfortunately one of the Wraith's support ships escaped the battle scene bringing word to the other Wraith. An entire fleet of Wraith ships were deployed to engage the Atlantians, they had decided to strike first and attempt to bring down the Wraith fleet before it could reach Atlantis the Daedalus had used nuclear weapons beamed directly inside several of the Hives but their combined firepower had been enough to overwhelm the ship and drive it back to the City for protection.
With a Wraith bombardment against the city and the prospect of a quickly depleting shield the quick and unconventional thinking by the team of Atlantis had allowed them to fake a self-destruct by beaming a nuclear device on top of the city shield and detonating it before quickly engaging a cloaking device. The apparent destruction of the city and no sign of the remaining city had tricked the Wraith into believing that the city was gone along with their route to Earth. Unwilling to waste more time in searching for the city they returned to culling the populated worlds of the Pegasus Galaxy.
During the attack many of the Atlantis defence teams and their supporting marines had been killed or injured including Colonel Dillon Everett who had been left crippled by a Wraith which had fed on him before being killed. They had prevailed and for now the city was safe during the attack Lieutenant Ford had also gone missing escaping from the city through the Stargate, the attack on him by the Wraith had left Ford changed both physically and mentally and he no longer felt like he belonged on the city.