"This is Julia Donovan with Atlantis Access, we are here in Nova Mutum, waiting on the arrival of the Asgard construction ship. They should be landing any time now, to begin construction of the second Atlantis Outpost. Africa and South America were chosen first, as they have the least widespread development of a power grid. Many areas with no power at all. Each outpost once constructed will have a platoon of Atlantis soldiers standing guard. In fact, I see the Asgard ship descending now," The Asgard construction ship can be seen descending from the atmosphere.
Donovan continues, "What is going on over there at the landing site? Something is occurring I can not determine what? There are many men running around the landing site. I can not tell what they are doing. Oh no, is that a shoulder mounted rocket launcher. They are firing on the Asgard ship!"
Landry looked up he could see first one rocket, then several others flying up to meeting the Asgard ship. They were targetting the propulsion system. Landry could see the thruster shake and then break loose. A chain reaction explosion triggered up the craft before it was completely engulfed. Donovan could be seen scrambling to get away, and her cameraman. The ship crashed in the ground and was burning.
Landry immediately went to his communicator, "Jack it's Hank, did you see on the broadcast?"
"Yes, I just saw it, calling Thor now, meet me in the Gateroom as soon as you can," replied O'Neill.
O'Neill picked up the communicator directed it to connect to Othalla. "This is Commander O'Neill, I need to speak to Thor immediately."
"Commander O'Neill we are aware of the situation, with the construction craft. We have already sent for Thor, he will join you on Atlantis in five of your minutes," replied the Asgard who took his communication.
"Avidan beam me to the Gate room," ordered O'Neill, he beamed from his quarters, leaving Col. Carter quickly getting dressed to join him. She was amazed how he could roll out of bed into to BDU's so quickly.
Landry beamed in just behind O'Neill.
"Mani you're ok? What happened? Is everyone ok?" asked O'Neill.
"Yes Commander O'Neill, everyone escaped. Our safety protocols, fortunately, activated and beamed us here in Atlantis in time. I believe we were attacked with shoulder-launched missiles. That struck our unshielded thrusters causing a chain reaction. They have shown a weakness in our designs, we will be working on a fix for that issue, our thrusters should not be unshielded during a landing," replied Mani.
Landry asked, "Do we know the injury count on the ground?"
"Not at this time," replied Harriman.
"At least two less than it should be. How did I get here? I just want to know who to thank," asked Donovan. Everyone turned shocked to see her and her cameraman standing there.
"Our safety protocols detected you were in danger and transported you as well," replied Mani.
Donovan replied, "Thank you! You saved our lives!"
The Gate activated, and Harriman, responded "Offworld Activation, Othalla signal."
"Let them in," replied O'Neill.
Thor stepped through the gate, "Mani it is good to see you and everyone are alright."
"Wait a minute, Mani, you said your safety protocols detected Donovan was in danger and transported her here. Any chance it also transported those fired the rockets?" asked Landry.
"Please say no?" spoke O'Neill.
"It is possible Commander O'Neill," replied Mani.
"Walter red alert! Security to all priority defense points. Lock this city down now!" ordered O'Neill.
"Contact the Nemesis, Ares, and Hades I want them in range, in case we need to beam people out," ordered Landry.
Sirens were going off, "Attention Atlantis the City of Atlantis is in locked down. Presumed hostiles in the city, consider armed and dangerous," spoke Harriman over the citywide broadcast.
Thor spoke, "How can we help?"
"We need to find where they are located before they cause any more damage," replied O'Neill, "Anything you can do on sensors would be great!"
"Mani on the sensors please, with whoever you need," replied Thor. Many motioned for three other Asgard to join him as they entered the control room and began working on the sensors.
"Everyone else, combat mode, we must protect the Gateroom, and secure the Interdimensional Energy Collectors on Atlantis," ordered Thor. Each Asgard activated a wrist device they wore. It released nanites to construct combat armor on each Asgard. They began moving out in different directions taking defensive positions. Thor lead a contingent toward the Interdimensional Energy Collectors.
"He's been holding out on me," replied O'Neill, "Walter, Mani, give me some good news?"
"Four additional humans not accounted for here were beamed to Atlantis, they were among the first," replied Walter.
"They took the staircase and are currently on level thirty-four of the tower, and descending," replied Mani.
"Walter can you lock on to them?" asked Landry.
"Working on it now sir, "replied Harriman, "They are moving fast and the narrow confines of the staircase is making it difficult."
Meanwhile, on level thirty Greer and Wallace were stuck in a hallway from the lockdown. They could access the stairway, but decided it was best to remain where they were at.
"So where is my room at?" asked Wallace.
"Two doors down on the other side of that security door. I want to know what is going on," grumbled Greer.
Just then footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.
"Shh, put your back against this wall and don't move," whispered Greer.
Four men armed with handguns came busting through the door. Greer readied his P-90.
"Control room this is Sargent Greer on level thirty. I believe the men you are looking for are here," whispered Greer into his microphone, he heard two clicks followed by three clicks. A signal to acknowledge and stand ready, but not to engage unless necessary. Greer and Wallace had not been spotted.
"Woo! We took down that alien ship, and now we are here on Atlantis! We're going to be hero's, " shouted one the men.
"Shutup you fool. You heard them they know we are here, and they will be looking for us," ordered someone who seemed the leader.
"HOPE will win, and we will be their heroes. If we can blow this building we will take out their main command center," replied one of the men.
"You idiot don't mention HOPE here," replied the leader.
A flash of light and all four men were gone.
"I think they are probably in your old room, in the brig now," spoke Greer.
"They blew up an Asgard ship?" replied Wallace.
"Sounds like, look I think we need to get the Gateroom and tell them what we heard," replied Greer.
"Avidan beam us to the gateroom," spoke Wallace. Nothing happened.
"Control room, you beamed the four men out. Can you beam Wallace and me to the Gateroom, we overheard something?" asked Greer. Two seconds later a white light and they were standing in the Gateroom.
"Sargent Greer and Mr. Wallace having an interesting day?" asked Landry.
"I let him visit with his mother a bit longer, we were on our way to his room when the lockdown happened," replied Greer.
"No problem Sargent. Tell us what you overheard," ordered Landry.
"They said hope will win, and they would be the heroes," replied Greer, "If they could blow this building and take out our command center here."
"I want a full security sweep of that stairwell looking for explosives," order O'Neill, "Good work Sargent"
"Thank you sir!" replied Greer.
"Thor already has a team scanning the stairwell and any area accessible off of it," spoke Mani.
"Sargent with Mani, Landry and myself," ordered O'Neill. Six additional Asgard fell in line behind Mani as well. O'Neill gave Mani a curious look.
"It is our security protocol, two guards per senior leader," replied Mani.
They made their way to the brig.
"Welcome to Atlantis gentlemen," exclaimed O'Neill upon entering the brig. All four men were in separate cells. O'Neill continued, "I hope you find our accommodations acceptable for your short stay."
"We destroyed those aliens, let's see if they want to come around again," cried the leader, looking at Mani, he continued, "Humans Only on Planet Earth!"
"So that's H.O.P.E. so very creative. Did you think of that all by yourself?" asked O'Neill.
"How do you feel know the rest of your kind died on that ship!" laughed one of the other men.
"I am happy to say you are mistaken. My crew and I are all safe, we all beamed off the ship in time. Your efforts have only delayed us by a few hours. Two replacement ships are on the way and will have additional shielding. A third will be ready by tomorrow. We will be building the Atlantis Outposts at a faster rate. You have done nothing more than accelerating our plans," replied Mani.
"That may be the best smackdown I have heard every," replied O'Neill.
"Well see how you like this!" shouted the prisoner. He grabbed a detonator and pushed it, his vest exploded. His cell was filled with smoke and debris ping on the shield.
"Anyone else want to save me some paperwork?" asked O'Neill.
"No," replied the leader. Who then dropped his weapons and explosives on the ground. The remaining two then proceeded to drop theirs as well.
"Now then, where can we find this H.O.P.E.? Who sent you?" asked O'Neill.
"Sargent Greer, would you please go get Col. Sheppard. Tell him we need and PJ-1 to make a trip to the Pegasus Galaxy and bring back Todd. I think Todd would find any of these men who don't cooperate an excellent dinner," ordered O'Neill.
"Sir! My pleasure! Sir!" replied Greer, who turned and took off.
"Wait what do you mean dinner?" asked the leader.
"Todd as in Todd the Wraith?" asked one of the other men.
"Yes, Todd the Wraith," replied Landry.
"You can't do that! This is America!" replied the leader.
"Wrong this is Antartica," replied O'Neill, "and before you say it. No, we are not the U.S. Military anymore. We are Atlantis Command. Those pesky laws don't apply here."
"If they fail to cooperate, the Asgard request extradition of these criminals. We have a suitable punishment for those who attack us," replied Mani.
"What would that be?" asked O'Neill.
"A thousand years in a healing chamber attached to electrodes," replied Mani, "It is our favorite form of entertainment."
"I'll make sure Todd only partially drains them. Leaving you enough as well," replied O'Neill.
"Look I'll talk!" shouted one of the men.
"Shut up you fool!" shouted the leader.
"Odai is the one you want! He's the one who sent us! He's leading H.O.P.E.," replied the man.
"Your a dead man if he finds you, Jimmy," replied the leader.
"Does Odai, have a last name?" asked O'Neill.
"Odai Ventrell," replied Jimmy.
"I know that name," replied Landry, "He was a bounty hunter for the Lucian Alliance. He isn't even from Earth you morons."
"What? No your trying to trick us," replied the leader.
"That makes sense, how else would he know as much as does, Bob," replied Jimmy.
"Thanks, you idiot for giving away my name!" shouted Bob.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know if you will get me away from these two imbeciles," replied the third man.
"You with us, and Jimmy you clean up your friend's cell. I'm not going to make my guys do it. Have it cleaned up by the time Todd gets here or you're going back on the menu," replied O'Neill.
"You can call Roger," explained the third man, as he was being released.
"He has no weapons on him, sir," spoke one of the Asgard guards.
"Take him to the interrogation room, and guard him, we will be there shortly," ordered Landry.
Twenty minutes later O'Neill and Landry walked into the interrogation room.
"Longtime since I've seen you, Malcolm," spoke O'Neill.
"Thank God! I was hoping you would recognize me," replied Barrett.
"Still with the N.I.D.?" asked O'Neill.
"Wait you know him? He's with the N.I.D.?" asked a shocked Landry.
"Yes, we had a few interactions a couple of years ago. No, I am with the Defense Intelligence Agency now. They picked up on a group that was extremely pro-human, and they were connected to some well-stocked militia's," replied Barrett.
"You helped take down an Asgard ship!" replied Landry.
"No he didn't his missile was the fourth one that missed, your buddies didn't realize it," answered O'Neill.
"I would have stopped them, I honestly never imagined those would have that kind of effect. Why wasn't it shielded?" asked Barrett.
"That would a question for the Asgard, not me," replied O'Neill.
"We have to find and stop Odai Ventrell, he has a number of followers. This won't be his only attack," replied Barrett.
"Where do we find him?" asked Landry.
"I don't know. We get video calls from him, and we never know where he is at," replied Barrett.
"When were you supposed to make contact?" asked O'Neill.
"In the morning from Brazil," replied Barrett.
"Think Rodney could trace it?" asked O'Neill.
"Maybe but I think the new guy Wallace definitely can," replied Landry.
"Set it up, let's find where Odai is at, and get him quickly" ordered O'Neill.
"Yes sir we'll get right on it," replied Landry.
"I'm going to explain Barrett to our friends the Asgard," replied O'Neill.
"Please confer my apologies, I never dreamed we could really damage their ship," replied Barrett.
"I wouldn't expect a Christmas Card, but I think they will understand given the circumstances," replied O'Neill.
The next morning everything was set up. Eli Wallace was at a station in the control room, ready to trace the communication. Carson was in the control chair ready to use Avidan to trace the signal as well. Ares and Hades were in orbit to move to the location once Odai was found. Thor was on board the Nemesis over Altera. SG-1, SG-2, and SG-11 were standing by to beam to the location.
"Listen up folks we need to get Odai now. I have read the reports on him, and he is a dangerous man," spoke O'Neill.
"I have dealt with him firsthand. He is intelligent and cunning, do not underestimate him," interjected Mitchell.
"Eli are you ready?" asked Landry.
"Yes sir!" replied Wallace.
Landry over the communicator, "Carson are you ready?"
Reply back, "Avidan and I are standing by."
"Malcolm it's your turn now. Keep him talking as long as you can," ordered O'Neill.
Malcolm opened his phone and pressed for the video call, finally "Roger? I was expecting Bob to contact me."
"Sorry sir, Bob, and Jimmy did not make it," replied Malcolm.
"They were good men they will be remembered as the heroes they and you are, by the cause!" replied Odai.
"Thank you sir!" replied Barrett, "We showed those aliens they will not enslave us!"
"History will remember you as the hero you are. Now return home and await further instructions," replied Odai.
"Sir is there not something I can do now? I'm ready for another mission. Let me show H.O.P.E. what we can do!" asked Barrett.
"We must remain careful. They will no doubt double up their defense. We must remain hidden and silent, and attack when the time is right," replied Odai.
Wallace was signaling for more time.
"Yes, sir. Know that I stand ready to serve H.O.P.E. at any time sir, please call upon me," replied Roger.
"Your service has not gone unnoticed. I have seen your leadership abilities, you will be a leader among the resistance," replied Odai.
"Thank you, sir. We must protect our planet from these alien invaders. Humans Only on Planet Earth!" replied Barrett.
"I will contact you," replied Odai as he cut the communication.
"Eli, tell me you have something?" asked O'Neill.
"Well after three attempts I tracked the signal to a satellite in orbit, but I could find no incoming signal. It was like he was broadcast directly from that satellite," replied Wallace.
Carson beamed into the control room, "He is using one of your satellites to broadcast from."
"Send coordinates for that satellite to the Ares and Hades to checkout," ordered O'Neill.
An hour later, Dr. McKay was beamed aboard the Hades to examine the satellite. An hour after that, McKay returned to Altera.
"Commander O'Neil, Odai had attached a device to the satellite that he uses to communicate to the satellite, and it then uses the satellite to communicate out," explained McKay.
"Anyway to determine where he was at?" asked O'Neill.
"He could be anywhere on Earth, or in our solar system. It's impossible to know," replied McKay. I was able to learn enough we should be able to trace the incoming signal next time," replied McKay.
"Good work, better than nothing," replied O'Neill.
Malcolm Barrett was meeting with O'Neill in his office.
"Sir what would you have me do now?" asked Barrett.
"Quit the D.I.A. and come here to do your job," replied O'Neill.
"What?" asked Barrett.
"Look we need some law around here. We need someone to help watch for these groups. I can't have the countries individually doing this. I need someone who I trust, and that can do this job. That's you," replied O'Neill.
"Ok, I can do that," replied Barrett.
"Excellent, you will in charge of the group. Kerry Johnson will report to you. She will be arriving tomorrow. Since you and I have the same taste in women, I would advise you to be careful around Kerry. She is way smarter than either of us," replied O'Neill.
"Thank you sir!" replied Barrett.
Thor entered the office then.
"Sir, I am so sorry, you have no idea how relieved I was to hear nobody was hurt. Please forgive me. I would have done everything in my power to have stopped them if I thought that would have happened," replied Barrett.
"Your actions are understandable Mr. Barrett. I hold no disfavor with you over the incident. I have examined the video, you very clearly missed on purpose, or you are bad at targetting," replied Thor.
"What's up buddy?" asked O'Neill.
"Our three replacement ships have arrived and landed safely. We will have the remaining seven Outposts setup in the next week," replied Thor.
"Excellent news," replied O'Neill.