Northern flank
Avdeevka, Donestk
Ukraine
Ivanov drink another sip of water. He was tired and thirsty after another ukrainan position taken. The efforts in the Russian side to complete the encirclement of Avdeevka have been huge, the High cCmmand wanted the city sorrounded before the new year. Ivanov missed his days in the SGR too much. To go through the Stargate and explore new worlds, and sometimes fight those advaced aliens but with zero tactical knowledge was far better than ghis endless "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine.
His former teammate, Sergei Fedorrov, was two steps behind him eaten his meal with hungry. They have been separated after Fedorov's resign to the Russian Army and his new "career" in PMC Wagner. Now, months after their "rebellion" and now re integration into the Russian Armed Forces he was there too, but the patch with the Wagner Skull still decorated his uniform.
While they were waiting for the next assault on the Ukrainan fortifications, the sound of the artillery, both friendly and foe alike, remmember them the fragility of the rest they were enjoying. As soon as he ended drinking, the footsteps of a pair of soldiers call their attention.
-Sir, Colonel Kramarov calls you.
-Did he said why?
-No, but there was a Navy officer with him, sir.
-A Navy officer?
After following them to the command post, the face of the Navy officer almost made him dismay. That officer was Captain Ivan Smirnoff, captain of the Daedalus class Battlecruiser Korolev. He wonder if his own commanding officer knew who the captain was, or were his ship was docked.
- Captain Ivanov, I think you know Captain Smirnoff, of the RFS Korolev, of the Baltic Fleet.
"Perhaps the space above the Baltic" said Ivanov to himself, while shaking hands with the captain, who was smirking.
After a couple of words, the Colonel leave them alone, and they barely pay any attention to him. His voice was just part of the background noise, just as the artillery.
- It's been a while. I though you were retired-started Smirnoff, taking seat in a rusty metal chair.
-No, I wouldn't know what other thing I could do with my life.
-Do you miss the Stargate? All the traveling and all the antropologic paperwork?
-Yes, not as much as at the begining but yes, I do. Sergei, well he is living something more... related, with his missions in Syria, Mali and all that.
-Yes, I can imagine. I came here to give you an assignment. Our Commander in chief decided to use all our non nuclear assets to end this war. We have overextended our time here, and the khokhols are about to brake. The global opinion is dissapoinyed with their counteroffensive, and they are finally taking note of all the corruption in Zelensky's goverment. So, it's the time of a final blow. Are you interested?
-I am. What do you have in mind?
An our later he, Sergei and the rest of the former SG-21 (called SGR by the Russians) were inside the RFS Korolev, with their Marine Company.
A huge 3D map was proyected, with the fortifications and positions of the Ukrainan forces in Adveevka.
-The plan is simple. We will beam stun grenades in these lines here and here, we are talking about territorial defence units, civilians with zero training and low ammo. Cannon-fodder for the "meat assaults". After the stuns we will beam you, and take them with the least casualties possible. As soon these lines are taken, the rest of our units will advance and occupy them, and increase the pressure in their regular units. Then we will beam bombs in their fortified positions here, and here. That will allow us to completly surround Avdeevka. The rest of them, isolated and sorrounded, will be plundered with artillery, drones and airstrikes and "suggested" to surrender.
-A very suggestive option for the khokhols- said Sergei, and everyone started laughing.
Avdeevka
Southern line near Russian contact line
After a whole day shotting and being shot, the silence of a day without enemy shelling took a while to finally be recognized by the ucrainans. A dozen men in one of the trenches tried to see if there were enemies moving toward them. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared in the middle of the ditch. Some of the men get really scared, others where just paralyzed, and some others were just wondering how the heck those stun grenades entered the ditch. "Grenade!" screamed one of them, but too late, the flash light and the sound wave stun them to the ground, and while their eyes were trying to catch anything but a blind light, dozens of soldiers grab them, screaming in almost unaidible words. The same thing was repeting in the whole line, and an hour later 200 hundred plus ukranian soldiers were tied up in a warehouse in southern Avdeevka. Their eyes were covered in duck tape, but they could hear the sound of several explosions and the ocasional jet pass.
Homeworld Command
Pentagon, Washington DC
General O'Neill was in his office, when an aide entered and call him.
-Sir, there is a situation in Ukraine, the Joint Chiefs want you in the situation room, now. They asked for General Carter too, she is on it's way.
-Why?
-Looks like the russians had raise their bets sir. The Korolev is over Ukraine.
-Call Lt. Lynch, send her with her terminal to the Situation Room
-Yes sir, right away.
Situation Room
The Pentagon
-General O'Neill, you honor us with your presence.
-General O'Neill reporting, sir-he said, saluting. He ignored the sarcasm and bad looks the Joint Chiefs were giving him.
- Before you say something, this entire rooms had already signed non disclosure agreements, and are familiarize with our real space capabilities. So, let's go straight to the point. The RFS Korolev is orbiting right above Ukraine, I had several NASA eggsheads trying to understand how it is posible to do so, and since the last 10 hours, the entire front lines in Adveeka are colapsing one after another. We haven't detdcted any shots from the Korolev, but we know they are doing something.
-We hope you could give us some information, General.
O'Neill gave several steps forward to look better at the huge screens and the 3D map. He decided to remain in silence in full defiance to the Joint Chiefs until Sam and Lt. Lynch arrived.
-General Carter and Lt. Lynch are here at your request, sir- said an Air Force aide.
-Good. Please Lt. Lynch, enable TOPO protocols, RFS Korolev, last 24 hours-ordered O'Neill, looking to Sam right to the eyes. She tried to not betray her feelings and remain as profesional as possible.
-Right away sir.
-General, the clock is ticking-said Admiral Gregson, staring at O'Neill.
-Yes sir, please General Carter explain to the Joint Chiefs what Lt. Lynch is doing.
-Of course. Sirs, the TOPO protocol is basically a backdoor in all the Daedalus class Battlecruisers systems, allowing us to monitor all their activities.
-Sir, it is ready. I had a lot of momevent in and out the ship, mostly between the Korolev and the Adveevka frontlines. Coordinates on screen, with dates.
The dots with date and hours started to show on the map of the frontline, showing a progressive movement in the north and south lines, then in the southeast outskirts, the gap in the northwest and west where the ukranian supply lines were, and finally the main fortifications and artillery batteries.
-That's how they do it. Beaming Spetnatz right to their throats.
-Sir, you should see the names of the officers beamed down. It's the SG25 former commander.
-Ivanov-said O'Neill, and Carter assented.
-Who?- asked General Brownson, of the US Marine Corps, and an aide put the name on the screen.
-Its one of the Captains of the assault groups. Veteran of Bakhmut, and Syria-informed General Hayley of the Air Force.
-And former officer of the Star Gate Team 25, the unit given to the Russian Federation during the Hayes administration, veteran of the war against the Ori. Their team was dissolved during the Obama administration-informed Carter.
-Jezzz. What are we going to do? We can't do the same and involve our troops directly, nor give access to this technology to the Ukranians.
-You won't be doing that question if we have fulfilled the Dissclosure Agreements 15 years ago. Besides, our Homeworld Command assets were not to be involved in Earth Affairs as per the Security Council Resolution 2344...
-We don't need you to lecture us about it, General. This protocol of yours, allow us to interfere or sabotage the Korolev?
-No, sir. And I think that would be considered an act of war. Sir.
O'Neill stated, with his hands on his pockets, knowing it will irritate more the Joint Chiefs doing so.
-What would they do? One ship against a fleet
-Currently we have 7 BC- 304s, 5 T-305s and 2 CC 306s. But they, right after we decided to not help them, and the Chinese, to finish their ships, put their Naquadah warheads in their submarines, their ICBMs and their Hipersonic missiles.
-So what? We can easy intercept them with our ships and the chair.
-Enough of this, General, deploy our ships and seize the Korolev. If they defend theirselves, beam a low yield nuke to them.
-No, I have full autority over the Space fleet and only the President can order an attack with them.
- That's was a direct order, General.
-He is right, sirs. You can't give him that order. The President of the United States is the only who can.
-Then there is no use for you in this room. That will be all, you're dismissed. All of you.
An hour later
Gral. O'Neill's office, Homeworld Command
The Pentagon
-Come in- said General O'Neill after hearing a knock in the door. The bald head of Mr. Woolsley entered right after, dressed with a grey suit and his best diplomatic face the senior member of the IOA board shook hands with Jack. The frustrated look of O'Neills face was worrying him deeply.
-What can I do for you General?
-I was trying to recall that time when we had to join forces with those Pegasus' vampires, the Wraith. You know, to stop the humanoid replicants.
-Yes, I remmember.
-In that time I thought it was a very crazy idea, but it was noneless, necessary.
- A neccesary evil, General.
- I still remmember what Colonel Caldwell told me. I think it was Dr. Weir who asked him how it feels to work with the enemy, an enemy like the Wraith. He answer her it was just like when we started to do manouvers with the russians after the Cold War. When he told me that, I start laughing because I couldn't accept the Russians put one of their own in the SG1 when they rent us their Stargate.
-And now, 20 plus years later...
-Now I am too old. I should accept retirement a few years ago, but General Carter isn't ready, yet.
-Well, honestly I think you think she will never be ready. But none of us were ready.
-Yes, you're right.
-Well, I've just been informed in the Korolev's actions in Ukraine, and the dissagreement between the Joint Chiefs and you. What can I do to help?
-As a member of the military I can't speak with foreign leaders by my own initiative. You, for the other hand...
-What are you suggesting? Which leader are we talking about?
-I was thinking about a former KGB agent.
-General, are you familiar with the books of Tom Clancy? In particular The Sum of all Fears?
-I've seen the movie, one of Teal'c favourites...why?
- Well, in the worst of...
-For crying out loud!-interrupted Jack- yes, that's what I was talking about! I want you to arrange that, you'll be the computer, I'll be Reacher, and we will make the Ruskies resolve this.
-Ok, fine. You can count on me.
Year 2014
UN HQ
Security Council close doors meeting
-Well, our next topic would be the status of the ten-year shipbuilding plan. The Russian and Chinese shipyards are fully operational...
The US representative took his time to answer. Impatience, tiredness and also some complacency was in the faces of the representatives of the diferent countries. This year, with the specific purpouse of dealing with planetary security at UN level, instead of dealing with the IOA and the member goverments one by one, all the Security Council memebers were IOA member courtries.
- It is my goverment will to inform the Security Council that the United States of America will no longer support the construction of ships in foreign territory...
-What?!
A dozen of curse words in russian, mandarin, cantonese and even kazakh were heared inside the building.
- I just want to know one thing. Why?!- roared the Russian representative.
-As long as the pression over Ukraine by the russian counterpart continues...
After hearing this the Russian delegation just stood up and leave the room cursing and complaining in russian. The chinese, after waiting for some moments, decided to do the same, but quietly.
Daniel Jackson, who was present, look at Woolsey, who had remove his glasses and was cleaning his eyes with a tissue.
-How bad is it?
-For them? Three Daedalus class battlecruises and two Soyuz class transports half constructed in the Kamchatka Shipyard. Four Daedalus and Three Soyuz transports in the Takla Makan Shipyard, 70% completed. In US Dollars, 150 billion invested so far.
-And for the Tau'ri?
- The Area 51 shipyard will only build one ship at a time, every 2 years. If we can afford it, crews and all, 8 more ships before the 2025.
-Jack would not be happy. Not with the current Free Jaffa shipbuilding race.
- I will talk with my former NID collegues. This is not normal. Our goverment was following the policies of the Hayes' administration until a year ago. These changes without inform us, or the Homeworld Command are way out of order.
-Yes, let me know what you can find.
Colonial Fleet HQ
Picon
Admiral Nagala's office
-Come in
Commander Adama entered the office, and salute. After a quick "At ease" and the gesture to take seat in front the Admiral, he look at him in expectation.
-So, ready for your retirement?
-I guess I'll never be ready, sir. I never thougth I would live long enough actually.
-Me neither, Commander.
-Sir, I guess you don't make me jump to Picon just to speak of my retirement...
- Straight to the point. Yes, is not about your retirment, is about to pospone it- he dead panned, passing him a dossier with the seal "Eyes Only" in red letters.
Adama open it, and he read: Project Daedalus
-What is it?
-Long story short, it is a back up plan in case of a cathastrophic defeat against the Cylons. A small group of ships, military and civilian, go as far as you can and establish a deep space colony, or colonies, far away enough to be out of the range of Cylons, if that was posible, and became the new homeworld of humanity. That and to find the 13th tribe, of course.
-I see sir. And I guess you want me in, right sir?
-Exactly. Your experience in the war, and also in the incident that cost you your career, makes you commander the perfect choice. Also it will be a far better goodbye for the Galactica than turn her into a museum
-Yes, and if I can speak freely, sir...
-Of course
-The Old Lady is precindible if something goes wrong .
Yes, it is true, Commander. You will rezendbous with the rest of the ships in the Ragnar Anchorage...
-I thought it was abandoned...
-Officialy it is. We tought this would be a perfect place to operate on case the Cylons were spying on us. You will have to go outside the EMP interference area before any jump.
- Which ships and commanders were assigned?
-Page 7. But you should first check out page 10.
Adama opened in the tenth page, and after a short look he stared at the Admiral.
-You are going to refit the Galactica?
-Yes. A new jump drive, able to take us thrice the distance with just 35% more of fuel, according to Dr. Baltar at least.
-And Dr. Baltar will honor us with his presence?
-You can bet on that, Commander. He is been there for the last five months, and knowing his beautiful girlfriend was left behind in Caprica, he must be a little more nasty than usual.
-If that is even possible.
-The whole scientific operation would be under Dr. Baltar's supervision in the Survey ship Thot, under Captain Latsulas. Cylon war veteran.
-Excelent. I will do my best, sir.
-I trust in you, Will. This whole operation would be one year deploy. The data you get would allow us to star the colonization of new sustems, and brake out the little sector the Armistice condemn us to live.
-Lets hope we don't provoke the Cylons. We may had just waste our luck last time.
-I trust in your guts, Will. You should pay for the stupid orders we gave you. This may be your oportunity to slap is in the face.
-Thank you sir.
-That will be all, Commander. The Lords guide you.
-So say we all, sir.
Ragnar Anchorage
Ragnar Gas giant
in orbit of Helios Gamma and Delta
The Ragnar Anchorage was far more busy than ever was since the War. Adama was hipnotized watching the DRADIS screen. One Marinestar, the Perseus, two Gunstars, Arcadia and Delphi, two mining ships, one Tylium refinery, one medical frigate, two survey- mobile labs the Serapis and the Thot, one mobile shipyard and, the Lords' twice cursed Stealthstar, the Gorgon.
The small fleet was re equipped with all the supplies, ammo, fuel, food, water, spare parts, etc. posible, and the new jump engines were checked and re checked, hoping and praying they would not fail and end inside a planet or in the wrong side of the Armistice line.
One week later
Survey ship Thot
Bridge
-Dr. Baltar. We are waiting on you-said the Captain, with impatience.
-Just a moment...-he said, while was imputing commands ina keyboard.
-There! We are ready.
-Spool the engine. Mr. Doulos, beging the clock. May the Lords of Kobol be with us.
-So say we all!
-10, 9, 8..
-I hope this works...-mutted the Captain, and the XO looked him concerned.
-4, 3, 2, 1. Jump.
Uncharted system
125 light years from Cyrannus cluster, coreward.
-We are here-said Baltar.
- And were that would be, exactly?-remarked the XO.
-DRADIS is on, no contacts.
-Good. How is the engine? Sitrep all systems-ordered the Captain, and every post reported.
-Life support, good.
-DRADIS and Sensor array, good.
-Sir Astronomy confirms our current location. Sector Alpha Sigma Theta, 124.346 light-years from Helios Beta.
-Lords of Kobol...
-I can't believe it. It works!-scream Baltar, and everyone look at him, wondering if he even believe in this engine to begin with.
-Ok people, enough of celebrations, let's go to work. Deploy Raptors 2 and 3, spool the drive, we are going back to the fleet.
Battlestar Galactica
CIC
-DRADIS contact! IFF recognized, it's the Thot, sir.
-Lords of Kobol! They made it-said
-Give me a channel.
-Ready sir.
-Thot actual, this Galactica Actual. Congratulations Dr. Baltar, to you, your team and the crew of the Thot. As soon as you are ready, we will begin with the spool of our engines.
Raptor 3
Thot's Raptor wing
Unknown system, Sector Alpha Sigma Theta (Colonial nomenclature)
- Ok, we are on our own. If anything goes as scheduled, the Exploration fleet will arrive in less than an our. We will begin with Full Scans in the system, starting with the closest planetoid on DRADIS. Raptor 2 actual, this is Raptor 3 actual, we will begin with Survey protocols. Stand by for the fleet return, if anything, and I mean anything, aliens, the 13th Tribe or a space monster, just jump away, it is understood? Over.
-Raptor 3 actual, orders conffirmed, good luck out there, we don't want to fight a Terran Super Destroyer to get your pathetic ass back to the Colonies Over and out.
After a few moments laughing, Lt. Jack "Summer" Olympus inserted the coordinates of the closest planet. It looked like a Caprica class, with 60% water and landmasses with vegetation. They descended to explore the landmasses, looking for anything unusual.
To be continued...