Eureka, Oregon
Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
Looking out the heavily tinted window of the Suburban he rode in, Major General William Ronson, head of Home World Home World Command, watched as thick forests flashed by his eyes. Lost in thought, the scenery blazing by was virtually unnoticed. In his heart, Ronson knew his career was all but over. As the commander of Home World Command, it was his responsibility to protect Earth, and her inhabitants. In that mission, Ronson knew he had failed.
The attack on Earth rested squarely on Ronson's shoulders. As the commander of Home World Command, the burden of responsibility was his, and his alone. In the days following the attack, General Ronson took note of other Flag grade commanders minimizing their interactions with him. Each time the phone rang, he was certain it would be the call relieving him of command. His career was living on borrowed time, of that Ronson was certain. When the call came, instructing him to make his way to Oregon, those that belief was reinforced greatly.
On the single road leading into the town, a town unlike any other in the world, forests thinned. Moments later, the Suburban sped through the town, a town that existed for one purpose; to serve as home to Global Dynamics. On sidewalks, residents of Eureka leisurely strolled along walkways in their picturesque small town. These residents were among the top scientific minds of Earth, though few outside of the Department of Defense were aware of their achievements.
Passing through Eureka, General Ronson's car picked up speed. The General's destination was now a few short miles away. In this distance, the tops of several buildings comprising Global Dynamics stood above the surrounding forest. Due to the encapsulated security of this entire area, no security checkpoints stood between Ronson and his end destination. Moments later, the Suburban carrying the General pulled up to the entrance of Global Dynamics. Waiting for him was an attractive woman; the head of security for Global Dynamics. Exiting his vehicle, General Ronson was soon face to face with the woman.
"General Ronson, I am Josefina Lupo, head of security. Welcome to Global Dynamics." Lupo began.
"Let's put the pleasantries to the side for now Ms. Lupo." Ronson replied briskly.
"Certainly sir. The team is waiting for your arrival in Section 5. Please, follow me." Lupo suggested.
Leading the way, Lupo, with General Ronson in tow, made her way through the entrance of Global Dynamics. Passing through the marble adorned lobby, the two bypassed those standing in the lobby to welcome Ronson. Feeling ignored, Doctor Douglas Fargo frowned, then muttered something unheard by all. Entering the elevator that would carry them deep underground, Ronson watched as Lupo consented to a retinal scan authorizing her access to Section 5.
Deep underground, deeper underground than any other subterranean research section; Section 5 was the single most restricted area of Global Dynamics. Contained within this heavily guarded area were examples of the latest, and most dangerous technology developed to date. Some of Global Dynamics most revolutionary innovations had come from the scientific minds within. Much of the world attributed advanced technologies in use by the Earth fleet to Arkos, the SGC, or knowledge gained from the Asgard, Ancient, and Furling database's, but several of those technologies were developed right here.
The elevator doors opened, allowing both Lupo and Major General William Ronson entrance to the outer security area of Section 5. Standing to either side of the thick vault door separating the outer security area from Section 5, two armed security guards quickly eyed the two new arrivals. Made aware of the anticipated arrival of these two, neither armed guard moved an inch. Stepping towards the vault door, both Lupo and Ronson were scanned, before a chime sounded. Seconds later, the vault door opened, allowing the two access.
Stepping through the now open doorway, Ronson took in the sights around him. Scientists and engineers scurried around, near them, and into the distance. A well dressed man and woman, standing near the now open vault door, stepped towards the General.
"General Ronson, welcome to Section 5. I am Allison Carter, Director of Operations." The woman introduced herself.
"Its a pleasure to meet you General. Henry Deacon, leader of the development team." Deacon said in introduction.
"Time is short. Lets see it." Ronson urged.
Leaving Lupo behind, both Allison Carter and Henry Deacon asked that General Ronson follow them. Walking down a long walkway, the three came to a door set to the left of the walkway. Making their way through this doorway, the three entered a room containing a worktable, with a single dull gray device sitting upon it. This device, developed with the assistance from a certain Ancient, was the reason Ronson had come.
"This is it?" Ronson questioned.
"Yes, General, this is it." Henry responded.
"I am unfamiliar with the background of the device, so walk me through it in a way I will understand." Ronson instructed.
"One of the problems faced when attempting to secure a section of space is the method of travel employed by most civilizations. Hyperspace travel allows a vessel to emerge in any section of space it chooses, from subspace. This also makes the traditional tactic of blockade an outdated and unworkable concept.
An Ancient, Janus, realized during their war with the Wraith, that the path to victory lay in containing the enemy, and bottling them up. To achieve that, he designed and built the Attero device, which worked by disrupting specific subspace frequencies used by Wraith hyperdrive. Unfortunately, during testing, Janus discovered this subspace frequency disruption had the side effect of overloading active star gates, leading to their detonation. This problem was widespread, simply because Janus chose to utilize a single and powerful transmitting station, which broadcast the disruption galaxy wide." Allison explained.
"If memory serves me correctly, the reactivation of the Attero device led to the near destruction of Atlantis, and the annihilation of a Traveler colony." Ronson interrupted.
"That is correct General. We think we have found a way, with help from Janus, to avoid any such reoccurrence." Allison countered.
"What we have done, is to rethink the idea behind the Attero device, and refine it somewhat. The problem wasn't in the idea, so much as it was the method of delivery. That method was the source of problems that made the overall concept unacceptable for use. Our mission was to overcome those problems, and we succeeded.
Instead of a single large and powerful emitter, our version of Attero will rely on smaller emitters like the one you see on the table. Lacking the power of the original, each of these emitters will have a limited transmission field of one quarter of a light year. This is a focused transmission field, and not a spread field, allowing for targeting of the disruption.
Used in arrays around a solar system, we can not only take away the enemy's ability to exit the solar system targeted through hyperspace, we can also disrupt their ability to exit hyperspace within the targeted area. This forces the enemy to rely on sub-light velocities, where the Fleet can easily track and engage at will.
As a spread spectrum disruption, this will also effect our fleets ability to enter and exit through hyperspace within the targeted region of space. Using a series of emitters, we can cover a solar system from all angles, but also leave gaps known to us, where our vessels can enter and exit hyperspace. Because this disruption field is low power and short ranged, the risk of gate overload is eliminated. My understanding is the Lucian Alliance is not calling worlds with gates home, so that further negates any fear of a gate overload." Henry explained.
"How can you be so sure the activation of these emitters will not interfere with the gate network, or have unintended consequences?" Ronson pressed.
"The time for gate overload is proportional to the size and power of the disruption field. This limited field will not have the reach of the original, so those concerns have been alleviated. As this version of Attero has been designed, this is an area denial system." Henry replied.
"Now give me the downside." Ronson ordered.
"Once active, each emitter only has enough power to maintain the disruption field for ninety-six hours. After that, they self destruct. We also have only had time to build enough for a single solar system."Allison interjected.
"Ramp up production. Pull resources from anything you need, just get it done. From this point forward, production is the priority. Get in touch with General Carter at the SGC, and coordinate movement of the emitters you have complete. That needs to be done now. You may have given us just the thing we need for this war." Ronson stated with hope.
Fleet Station McHenry
Eighty five lightyears from Lucian Alliance Space
Milky Way Galaxy
Brightly lit, Fleet Station McHenry stood defiantly in empty space. Long range sensors scanned deeply into space, and subspace. UCAV's patrolled the local space surrounding the station. Powerful shields enveloped the station, to protect from any attack that might approach unseen. Operating on a wartime footing, the weapons affixed to Fleet Station McHenry were all fully powered, and ready repel any attacker.
From the opening in the top mounted dome atop McHenry, four vessels of the Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class exited. These four vessels, like the four whom had departed hours earlier, were deploying directly into Lucian Alliance space. Inside the dome, sitting at dock, twelve more of these vessels sat, waiting for their designated departure times.
The full force of the Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class were being brought to bear. Australia was committing both the Oxley and Orion. Canada committed the Osiris to the fight. Perle and Suffren of the French Fleet, Chuyo and Tachikaze of the Japanese Fleet, and Unified Korea's sole vessel, the Jeong Un would also take part. The largest contributions of Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class vessels came from the China, with Fucanglong, Yinglong, Feilong, Zhulong, and Chilong; Russia, with Anchar, Kostrama, Vepr, and Nerpa; and the United States, with Flasher, Wahoo, Cavalla, Skipjack, and Skate.
The battle plan in the coming war was not to hop from world to world, but to incite panic within Lucian Alliance ranks at all levels, from child to commander. The ADCAP Daedalus Class vessels were perfect for this mission. Worlds would fall, reducing the amount of space the entire Lucian Alliance fleet was forced to guard. This would bottle up the enemy fleet, and once in place, would allow for a vicious and final fight.
In gate room of Fleet Station McHenry, the stations star gate activated. Exoskeleton clad security personnel, taking aim at the gate, readied themselves. Energizing and taking form in front of the event horizon, a protective energy shield, like that first discovered on Atlantis, came up. Since no IDC transmission was flowing through the active wormhole, no chances were being taken that this could be the precursor to an assault on the station itself.
Exiting the event horizon, and passing through the defensive energy shield effortlessly, Janus looked around. Raising an eyebrow, he pirouetted, to show the defenders he was unarmed. Recognizing the familiar face, security personnel throughout the gate room relaxed.
A moment later, twelve mil-spec containers passed through the gate. Levitating, these containers followed Janus as walked away from the gate. A moment later, using his ascended powers, Janus and the containers vanished, only to reappear many levels above the gate room, in the ship docking area.
Looking around, Janus took note of the number of vessels within the docking area. Though he had always been a scientist, and a scientist of note, Janus would gladly admit to always being overwhelmed and in awe at the sight of a fleet in dock. Motioning his hand towards one of the vessels at dock, Janus effortlessly pushed the levitating containers towards the ship that would deliver this cargo. That cargo was Earth's version of the Attero device.
Out of the corner of his eye, Janus saw the man he wished to speak with. Aware that Brigadier General Dean Frost was aboard the Fleet Station, Janus had volunteered to deliver his cargo, so that he could pass along a message. Making his way towards the General, Janus waived.
"I didn't expect to see you here Janus." Frost began.
"A bit of cargo needed to be delivered from Earth, so I volunteered." Janus replied.
"How are things on Earth? Still frantic?" Frost asked.
"Things have settled down, but the mood is dark. Things will return to normal, it will simply take time." Janus replied.
"Time is the one thing that is never in abundance." Frost complained.
"It can be, if you are willing to take certain risks." Janus answered cryptically.
"The fleet is deploying now, but this can cause problems for us. Should these vessels take damage, we have no way to repair them fully without Arkos fully functioning." Frost grimaced.
"Repairs are underway, and should be completed before the day ends. Several of my ascended associates are seeing to that. Luckily, the personality fracture of the Arkos artificial intelligence was kept in check by one of the personality facets. My understanding is that a select portion of the personality was trying to fight this war by itself. I take it you are here trying to recover your operative among the Lucian Alliance?" Janus asked lightly.
"Why am I not surprised that you know about that? Yes, that is why I am here. I've screamed at everyone who will listen that we need to extract my man, before we let the fleet off the leash. As you can see, no one is listening. For all I know, he is already dead." Frost said with a heavy heart.
"He is very much alive." Janus stated.
"How do you know that?" Frost demanded.
"Dorin saw him, while delivering a message. He was quite surprised to encounter your agent, but did nothing to betray his cover." Janus replied.
"Can Dorin extract my agent?" Frost inquired.
"He could with ease, but I think your agent would prefer to be left in place. Dorin informed me that your agent is in a perfect position to steer Kefflin in any direction he so chooses. I promise you this; if your man is in danger, one of the ascended will retrieve him before harm can befall him."Janus promised.
"Thank you for that. Any word on the progress of catching those who launched the attacks on Earth?" Frost asked.
"A rather serious British gentleman has been placed in charge of that effort, but I do not know how their effort is going. Based on what I am told of the gentleman leading the effort, results should be seen soon. Your world has also become aware of who was behind the attack on Arkos, from sensor data within the station. I am sure she will be brought to justice soon as well." Janus mused.
"I hope you are right. This war has already claimed enough lives, and is just starting." Frost replied.
Both turned towards the docks. Silently, both watched as two more Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class vessels cast off, and began moving towards the docking bays exit. Chess pieces were being added to the board in increasing numbers.
Thames House
London
Earth
On the North bank of the River Thames, within sight of Lambeth Bridge, stood Thames House. Built nearly a century ago, this large and imposing building had seen many tenants. Twenty years ago, the most secretive in this buildings history moved in, and in the years that followed, directed efforts from these halls to secure the United Kingdom.
That tenant, often referred to as MI5, was the Security Service. This secretive agency served as the United Kingdom's practitioner of domestic counter intelligence. Tasked with protecting parliamentary democracy, economic interests, counter terrorism, and counter espionage, the Security Service focused on internal security of the Queen's realm.
Through consensus, international leaders voted unanimously to assign the investigation of the attack on Earth, and capture of those responsible to the Security Service. To some, this might seem possible because the United Kingdom had been left untouched by more destructive elements of the attack. Unknown to many, the true reason this most important of tasks had been placed in the hands of the Security Service was due to individuals that had come into the hands of the Service.
As attacks began across Earth, a man and woman, both with British citizenship, walked through the doors of Thames House. Spinning an incredible tale, this man and woman tried for hours to convince those listening of the danger this day held. Refusing to not be heard, this duo of Lucian Alliance operatives finally managed to convince those listening of the validity of their tale. This team explained their refusal to carry out their mission. When asked for the reason of their refusal, the man and woman stated that they had come to love their life on Earth, and now viewed Earth as home. Several times they pointed towards grocery stores as being a prime motivator for their change of heart and allegiance. When asked why they had not turned themselves in earlier, they made clear their fear of what would be done to them.
This man and woman provided the first break needed to track down those involved. Providing their cell phones, they further explained the communication methods and protocols used across the network operating on Earth. When this information was combined with information from the Pentagon across the pond, many were shocked. This attack was not an event staged by a handful of people, but hundreds. Many of the cellphones involved mysteriously were still active. Cellphone tracking, handled by the Government Communications Headquarters and the National Security Agency, along with the indexing of all calls made, was now providing a virtual roadmap of those involved, giving a clearer picture to all.
Reginald McQuillen, a long time counter intelligence specialist with the Security Service, had been tasked with running the task force leading the investigation. The overall investigation was simply the public side of this operation. Unseen to the citizens of Earth, Reginald McQuillen was tasked with hunting down operatives involved, using any methods he deemed necessary. Using a careers worth of knowhow, Mr. McQuillen set about his task with ruthless efficiency.
Aware that agents always leave a trail, even if that trail is composed of small crumbs, McQuillen made data mining a primary focus. In his professional opinion, results from any data mining operations would most probably take weeks to bear fruit. To his amazement, a major find was gleaned within days. The stupidity of those who considered themselves smarter than average never failed to amaze Reginald.
On Twitter, a photo was found, with the hashtag #revolution. This photo, posted by a less than intelligent Twitter user, showed two men standing beside transatlantic internet cable, with axes in hand, on a beach in New Jersey. Geolocation data, taken from the photo itself, and checked against GPS data from the phone used to take the phone, and post it to Twitter, verified the photo to be authentic. Facial recognition, run against a database of drivers license photos, passport photos, and images from social networking, quickly provided the identity of both men seen.
Idiots such as these were the low hanging fruit, as McQuillen knew well. In coming days, many untrained and inexperienced operatives such as these would be captured with little effort. True effort would be needed to locate and capture the Lucian Alliance deep cover operatives though, and that would take far longer. Lifting a phone on his desk, McQuillen established a direct link with a warship in orbit.
"Warspite, this if Foxhound. Location data transmitting to you now. Priority tasking; beam and hold both targets." McQuillen said quickly into the phone.
In orbit of Earth, HMS Warspite sat. Orbiting for the task, Warspite was present to beam away conspirators located on Earth, taking away the need to use personnel on Earth. Using Warspite for this task offered several advantages, namely a secure platform to hold and interrogate those captured. Later, when a holding facility was nominated to hold those captured, Warspite could beam them directly to said facility, removing fear of potential escape.
Receiving the data burst transmitted from Earth, Warspite located the first of its two targets. Quickly, the second target was also locked on. Activating its Asgard transport beam array, two men, those seen in the photo on Twitter, were engulfed in silvery light, and transported from New Jersey, aboard the Warspite. One of the men transported was asleep, and took no notice of his relocation. The second man, a chronic insomniac, was wide awake, and somewhat combative. Having beamed both men into separate detention cells in a flight hanger, with walls composed of energy shielding, the second man's combative nature was of little concern. Standing before the combative man's cell were two Royal Marines.
"What is this?" The combative man screamed.
"This is home for now." A Royal Marine responded smugly.
"I've got rights! You can't do this to me!" The combative man argued.
"Do you now, boyo? Were I you, I would sit quietly before we feed you to a Gurkha in a nice curry." The Royal Marine warned.
Over the coming days, further extractions such as this would take place. Unknown to those being hunted, an international agreement had been reached on the handling of each individual captured. Interrogations would follow, and those found to have aided the enemy would be sequestered elsewhere, to await trial. The roundup had begun. Further discussion would be needed to figure out where each would be tried. Though certain rights were being set aside for now, in the interests of world security, those captured would be quietly removed from Earth until decisions could be made moving forward. It wasn't a perfect or even just set up, but nothing about the situation Earth found itself in was perfect, let alone just or fair.
The Pentagon
Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
In the halls of the Pentagon, like all other seats of military command around the world, days and nights were filled with furious activity. Multinational planning cells were hard at work, plotting out the opening moves, and followup moves, in the war with the Lucian Alliance. Unlike recent wars, and wars of the past, Earth's overwhelming ground combat advantage would not play a role. This war would be waged in space, an area where Earth possessed a decided advantage.
Recent events in the Milky Way, and subsequent large scale deployment of assets of Earth's fleet across a wide swath of the galaxy, had provided copious amounts of data. Like many organizations, militaries thrived on data, and consumed it with a never ending hunger for more. Data can often answer questions of the past, and this new influx of sensor data reaffirmed that belief wholeheartedly.
In a briefing room reserved for the most sensitive of briefings, the revelations this data provided were about to be shared. Present in the briefing room were three people. Secretary of Defense Hank Landry and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Jack O'Neill were seated, waiting for the briefing to begin. Also in attendance was the designated briefer, the young officer who had made the discovery to be discussed; Lieutenant Commander Miguel Ruiz, of the United States Navy. Dimming the lights as holographic display screens appeared midair, Ruiz readied himself to give the single most important briefing of his career.
"We are ready when you are Commander." Secretary Landry prompted.
"Recent deployments have greatly expanded the amount of ship tracking data available. This was accomplished through the presence of so many of our vessels deployed across a large section of the galaxy. My team has taken great pains to carefully sift through this data. This new tracking data we crosschecked against historical tracking data, using historical data as a baseline for our analysis.
We took not of frequent visitations, by a vessel we judge to be an Al'kesh, to the world you see on the screens behind me. These visitations came in intervals of one week, and never decreased or increased in frequency. Based on that schedule, we concluded that these deployments are most probably scheduled supply drops. It is worth noting that this planet is off the gate network, following recent Lucian Alliance trends to utilize worlds off network." Ruiz stated.
"To your knowledge, is any signals traffic coming from this planet?" Landry asked.
"That avenue was looked into, and intelligence points to no known signals traffic emanating from the planet in question Mr. Secretary." Ruiz answered.
"How firm is your estimation that the vessel visiting this planet is an Al'kesh?" General O'Neill questioned.
"The sensor data is complied data, coming from USS Equinox, Fleet Station McHenry, and Borealis. All three platforms make use of the same sensor suite, and each individually identified the track as consistent with readings and known performance of an Al'kesh type vessel sir." Ruiz replied.
"Please continue Commander." Landry suggested.
"At my request, and approved by the Chief of Naval Operations, a vessel of our fleet was redirected to this planet. USS Antietam, on her return leg to Earth, entered the planets solar system under cloak, and established orbit to perform a full reconnaissance. Their initial findings are significant, insofar as their sensors were unable to penetrate a jamming field similar to our own bunker shielding fields. This is not the first time such a field, employed by the Lucian Alliance, has been seen. The last instance was on Tagrea.
Antietam's commander then began intensive photographic reconnaissance of the planet. During the course of this, a small compound of buildings, seen on the screen, were found. Triangulating the sensor jamming field showed the source of the jamming is coming from this compound. Taking the initiative, Antietam's commander next deployed a single F-302. Under cloak, the 302 pilot performed a number of overflights of the compound itself. Using the Distributed Aperture System equipped to the 302, the pilot was able to obtain high resolution infrared images of the compound, and surrounding structures. From these images, we were able to ascertain the number of occupants of this compound, and surrounding structures, and also a basic layout of all structures present.
In the main compound, you can see on the images, roughly a dozen occupants. The far building, approximately one thousand years from the compound, houses several dozen individuals. Based on target ranges set up near this outer structure, it is our assessment that this outer structure houses a quick reaction force of sorts. That tells us that this compound is an outpost of importance." Ruiz stated.
"What are you basing that conclusion on Commander?" Landry asked.
"Other Lucian Alliance outposts encountered have all lacked the amount of manpower seen here. They also lacked any sensor jamming efforts. This outpost has also not been visited by larger elements of the Lucian Alliance fleet, nor is it recipient to any signals traffic. That tells us the Alliance wants this outpost off the grid. " Ruiz replied.
"I'm inclined to agree with Commander Ruiz's logic." O'Neill added.
"Luckily, Antietam's commander decided that this discovery was of interest, and further overflights were performed over an eighteen hour period. As you can see, personnel present rotated around the compound. That is, all but these two. These two individuals never leave this area of the compound, and never moved more than five feet over the course of eighteen hours.
It is my official estimation that the two individuals you see here are Captain Ashley Vance, and Colonel Derrick Owen. Their presence here would explain the changes in pattern, and the assumed level of operational security surrounding this planet." Ruiz concluded.
"Commander, how accurate to you judge your assessment to be?" Landry pressed.
"Mr. Secretary, were I a betting man, I would go all in." Ruiz replied seriously.
"I need you to compile this data for me. From this point forward, this information is classified, eyes only. Good work Commander. If you would, go grab that data for me now, thanks." O'Neill more ordered than asked.
For two minutes after Commander Ruiz excused himself from the briefing theater, O'Neill and Landry sat in silence, simply looking at one another. When they finally broke their silence, the two quickly agreed on a plan of action. If this information was correct, both knew they had to act fast. Speed of action might be the only thing that saved both pilots lives.
"Call the Special Operations Command commander, and tell him to get on the first transport to Washington. While you two put the pieces together of how we can do this, I'll go talk to the President." Landry instructed.
Human Resettlement Center
Svoriin
Milky Way Galaxy
In the early morning hours, as dawns early light broke the horizon while many in the main administrative city of Svoriin still slept, Colonel Harry Maybourne had already begun his day. An hour earlier, while Maybourne enjoyed his first cup coffee, he had been notified of an incoming data burst from the star gate. Harry hated these ill-timed administrative queries from Earth. Still, he would rather be here, dealing with such queries, than on Earth. Maybourne could only guess at the upheaval that had taken place after the attack on Earth, and he hoped to only learn of any upheaval secondhand.
Slipping on his uniform jacket, Maybourne exited his quarters, and began his trek across the city to the military run communications center serving this planet. His progress across the city was fast, and wordless. Harry was most fond of walking through the city while the majority of its inhabitants slept. Empty walkways meant no one asking questions, or making requests, which Maybourne preferred.
Minutes later, passing through two security checkpoints, Maybourne found himself within the always manned communications center. Greetings were exchanged with those who worked the overnight shift. Walking to a terminal, to take a peek at the recently arrived message, Maybourne was surprised to see the message was not from Earth, and was encrypted with a unique cypher.
"Sergeant, transfer this message to my secure file, and erase all records of its receipt." Maybourne ordered.
"You got it sir." A communications sergeant replied.
"I'm heading back to my quarters for now. Track down Captain O'Neill, and have him meet me there." Maybourne further ordered.
Before the communications sergeant could reply, Colonel Maybourne turned on his heels, and exited the communications center. Retracing his steps, Harry moved with purpose. His enthusiasm stemmed from the encryption cypher used in the message. That cypher was reserved for intelligence gathering teams of humans, recruited from those living in Svoriin, and implanted in communities on worlds across the galaxy.
Minutes later, Maybourne neared his quarters. Walking down the hallway towards his quarters, he saw a young and slightly sweaty Captain Jack O'Neill waiting at his front door. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, Maybourne guessed that his request had caught the cloned O'Neill going about his morning run. It never ceased to amaze Maybourne how similar this version of O'Neill was with the Jack on Earth, and how different both were at the same time.
"Morning Jack." Maybourne said as he approached.
"If you are interrupting my run, this must be important." Jack guessed.
"We shall see. Come in." Maybourne requested as he entered his quarters.
Both men entered Maybourne's quarters. Jack, looking around as he always did, silently chuckled at the sight of Maybourne's crown, from his time as king, sitting on a bookshelf. Despite their disagreements over the years, during their time on Svoriin, both Jack and Harry had come to depend on one another, and build a strong working relationship, and even a friendship.
Sitting at his desk, Maybourne quickly accessed his personal files. Seeing the file he sought, he accessed this file, and began the decryption process, which took seconds. Before he showed this to Jack, Harry wanted to have a good feel for what the file contained. Reading quickly, Maybourne managed to contain his surprise at what the file contained. This information was hot, so hot in fact, that Harry touched a hidden button beside his desk. This button, activating a number of systems unknown to all but a select few, caused the windows of Harry's quarters to turn opaque, as white noise filled the air to disrupt any listening devices.
"Mind telling me what you've got?" Captain O'Neill asked.
"This is hot." Maybourne hinted.
"How hot is hot?" Jack asked.
"Surface of the sun Jack. Let me put it up on the screen." Maybourne stated.
On a holographic display screen, which appeared feet from Harry's desk, a series of photos displayed. Beside these photos, a tersely worded report scrolled. Squinting slightly, as he did when he was deep in thought, Jack took in the photos.
"Is that who I think it is?" Jack asked.
"Certainly seems to be, and facial recognition agrees." Harry offered.
"Where were these photos taken? The alert just went out, and I've never seen results this fast. Are we sure this isn't a ploy?" Jack asked.
"These photos were taken twelve hours ago on Lucia. Our assets on station believe the siting is legitimate, and are trying to confirm through locally recruited assets. Our team there is intelligence gathering only, not direct action. Do you have a team?" Maybourne inquired.
"My team and I were doing our morning run when you interrupted it." Jack responded.
"I need an honest assessment Jack. Are they up for something like this? If they aren't ready, I can pass this up the chain, and bring in a team from Earth." Maybourne said seriously.
"My team is just as good as any from the SGC. They are ready." Captain O'Neill replied.
"I'm just the intelligence guy. You are the ground commander on site. How you do this is at your discretion. The alert we received from Earth about this stated capture of kill. Either way you do it, I doubt anyone will complain much. Assets on the ground have eyes on the gate, and have verified it is not being surveilled. Get your team ready, depart when ready." Maybourne ordered.
Rising from his seat, Jack moved to take his leave. His mind was focused fully on the task at hand, a task he was more than happy to carry out. As the doors opened, Jack stepped through.
"Jack." Harry beckoned.
"Yeah?" Jack asked, as he turned his head.
"Good luck." Maybourne said with sincerity.
"Thanks. I'll tell you how it went when we get back." Jack replied
.
Lucia
Milky Way Galaxy
Fourteen Hours Later
A planet wracked by poverty, crime, and despair; Lucia was also the birthplace of the Lucian Alliance. Years earlier, as Earth rejoiced at their triumph over the Wraith, the origins of the current conflict began on Lucia. From this world, Kefflin had gathered stockpiles of materials, weaponry, and followers. Abandoning the birthplace of the Lucian Alliance, Kefflin took what had then remained of the Lucian Alliance deeper into the galaxy, where he could rebuild for the conflict currently gripping the Milky Way.
Much had changed in the time that had passed since Kefflin's secreting away those still loyal to him, and loyal to the Lucian Alliance. Covert and overt efforts, from Earth and allies, had done much to win hearts and minds on Lucia. In many circles, Earth was seen as a helping hand, willing to uplift a poor people to a better life. While this sentiment proliferated, in certain other circles, Earth was viewed as a meddling and interfering world that had prevented the Lucian Alliance's rise to power. Few were left on Lucia that felt this way, but those who did would never alter their beliefs.
Forced underground, those who remained loyal to the Lucian Alliance were reduced in number, but not in dedication. No longer could they take what they pleased from this world, nor could they even display their affiliation or voice their beliefs. Living in secret, on a world they no longer recognized, those that remained lived in the shadows, waiting for the day when their services might be called upon.
That wait proved to be longer than they might have imagined. Once rebuilt, Kefflin's reformed Lucian Alliance had little use for Lucia, or those who's allegiance was to the cause. As they began to believe the Alliance may have forgotten about them, they were called upon. These true believers were not summoned to join the battle against Earth directly, but to assist someone who had. Their orders, relayed through a long series of cut outs across the galaxy, was to provide safe harbor for an individual, before this individual could be extracted from Lucia. Strangely, the individual to be harbored had arrived on Lucia before the orders to provide shelter had been issued. It was during that window of time, that the individual in question had been spotted, and that arrival passed on through channels Colonel Harry Maybourne had designed, and controlled.
Moved from safe house to safe house, Lieutenant Breanne Goodly had been studiously shielded from the public of Lucia. Every twelve house, without exception, Goodly was ushered to the next safe house. During these short periods of movement from location to location, Goodly was visible to anyone who might be watching. Unknown to Goodly's keepers, someone was watching, and watching closely. Every movement cycle was monitored, noted, and reported. Those watching, aware that Goodly was wanted by Earth, worried that she might escape from Lucia, before Earth could move to capture prevent such a happening, assets reporting to Colonel Maybourne's intelligence network monitored the gate, and were prepared to intercede on behalf of Earth, should any attempt to depart Lucia occur.
Those monitoring the gate needn't have bothered to worry, as Earth was already on scene, though out of sight. Two hours earlier, Goodly's watchers had broadcast a subspace message, to the vessel racing towards Lucia. This transmission was made to confirm the location, and arrival time of the extracting vessel inbound. Receipt of a return communication came within minutes. What neither party to this communication chain knew, was that this conversation had been intercepted by a cloaked Tau'ri vessel in orbit; USS George Hammond.
Hammond, repaired and returned to frontline duty mere days before the attack on Earth, had been specially chosen for this mission. While the vessel had been repaired, the emotional scars from the ambush the Lucian Alliance had launched upon this ship and her crew were still fresh. They sought payback for the attack upon their proud vessel, and revenge for the attack on Earth.
In the golden rays of late afternoon, the time for the Lucian Alliance extraction vessel neared. What Goodly and her watchers did not know, was that vessel had met its end moments earlier. Dropping from hyperspace, a single Al'kesh had raced towards Lucia. Two minutes after its exit from hyperspace, this Al'kesh enjoyed the energetic and destructive embrace of an Asgard plasma beam weapon, destroying the vessel completely. This event did little to satiate the crew of USS George Hammond, but they knew further chances for retribution would some come, if rumors were to be believed. Moments after the destruction of the Al'kesh, a single short transmission from the Tau'ri vessel to Goodly's minders was sent.
Receiving word from what they believed to be the now destroyed Al'kesh, Goodly and her minders abandoned their final safe house. Already on the outskirts of a minor shantytown, these four individuals made their exit without prying eyes observing them, or so they thought. Picking their way through hunting paths leading away from the shantytown, Goodly and her protectors made their way towards the designated landing zone chosen by the 'Al'Kesh'. Unknown to them, they would never reach their destination.
One mile short of the landing zone, Goodly and her escorts came upon a group of locals numbering five. Dressed in tattered canvas pants, with threadbare smocks, these locals were an unexpected and unwelcome sight. In their hands, each carried a mat black box, no larger than a large book. While Goodly's escorts had no clue what these boxes were, seeing no weapons on each local was reassuring. One odd thing noticed, and this only stood out because of the poverty in certain corners of Lucia, was the level of physical fitness these locals possessed.
Twenty feet from Goodly and her escorts, the five locals sprang into a flurry of movement. Using well practiced fluid movements, each of the five men shook their black box sharply towards the ground. In response, these boxes quickly unlocked, unfolded, and took on a different shape. Developed by a company known as Magpul years before, the FMG-9 was a collapsible and powerful submachine gun. Bringing these weapons to their shoulders, the five locals unleashed a devastating torrent of nine millimeter hollow point rounds at the escorts. In less than seven-seconds, each escort was cut down, without ever drawing weapons of their own. In the process of this brief but intense firefight, Lieutenant Breanne Goodly was struck in the abdomen. As they crumpled to the ground, the five attackers quickly moved in. Goodly, looking up at the attacker standing over her, tried mightily to suppress expressions of pain and anguish.
"I bet you thought you were about to get away, didn't you?" Captain Jack O'Neill asked lightly.
Before Goodly could respond, she fell unconscious from pain and shock. O'Neill, giving his team a series of rapid fire instructions, instructed his team to search the dead for anything of intelligence value. Touching his earpiece, he then requested beam out of the dead, aboard Hammond, and beaming of his team and Goodly to Lucia's star gate. Joining them at the gate was a stretcher, meant for the unconscious form of Breanne Goodly.
At the gate, O'Neill ordered two of his team to place Goodly on the stretcher. While they carried out this task, O'Neill dialed the gate. Seconds after the event horizon of the now active gate stabilized, Jack touched his earpiece, and began to speak.
"Star Gate Command, this is Sequel. We are inbound, with priority captive. Request you have medical personnel standing by in the gate room." Jack said crisply.
Star Gate Command, Cheyenne Mountain
Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
Eight hours earlier, the city ship Borealis had returned to Earth. During her weeks long deployment on Ilempir, the landscape of Earth had been forever altered. When she had departed Earth, the world was one of many nations, and also a world enjoying an uneasy peace. The world Borealis returned to was one touched by tragedy, and laboring to forge a new future.
During her deployment, Borealis had accomplished much. The world of Ilempir, and the Ilempiri people were now healthy, bright, and vibrant; filled with a new hope and zest. Upon learning of the attack on Earth, all aboard the Ancient city ship had desired nothing more than to return to Earth, and render aid to their kinsmen. That request, of which many were made, was denied each time. Out of a need to occupy troubled minds, all aboard Borealis redoubled their efforts to assist Ilempir. Finally, the day arrived that would bring them home to Earth.
In addition to leading the effort to heal the Ilempiri people, Daniel Jackson had devoted time to befriend the Alba Longan priest Aulus Scribonius. Over long nights following trying days of duty, Daniel and Aulus spoke of many things. Each filled in the other on this history of their world. This exchange of knowledge led to Aulus confiding in Daniel the true purpose of his visit, and the events that began his quest. Daniel, a man who loved mystery and voyages of discovery, planned in the coming weeks to fully explore the mystery Aulus brought with him. The mystery, as Aulus explained it, had begun in Rome. It was hoped that it would also be solved in Rome.
Floating majestically on the cold dark waters of San Francisco Bay, Borealis returned to planet side duty rotations. Those who had been adding to her crew compliment for the Ilempir deployment disembarked. Daniel, needing to get away for personal reasons, took the lull in activity to depart by Jumper for Star Gate Command. Several hours later, Daniel found himself returned to the subterranean facility he had served within for many years.
Though Daniel had several errands he needed to accomplish during his short visit to the SGC, one was more pressing than all the others. It was not until learning of the attack on Earth that thoughts, long held in the recesses of his consciousness, moved to the forefront of Daniels mind. In that moment, it all became so clear to him what he needed to do, and make known.
Bypassing the room holding much of his research material, Jackson instead proceeded directly to Samantha Carter's office. Over the years, Daniel had changed. The timidity he was once known for were long behind him. For this first time in recent memory, Daniel was acting with definitive purpose. Reaching Carter's office, Daniel knocked once, before walking in. Seeing Daniel, Carter rose to her feet, crossing the short distance to him. Wordlessly, both embraced, holding that embrace for a time.
"I know all of this has been hard on you." Daniel began.
"Its been like a nightmare I can't wake from." Samantha admitted.
"I'm here now, so you are not alone Sam." Daniel soothed.
"That means more to me than you know." Sam replied.
"Listen to what I mean, and not what I say. I don't want either of us to be alone any longer. This attack has made me realize so many things, about myself, about life, and about us." Daniel said softly.
"Us?" Sam asked uncertainly.
"Yes Samantha, us." Daniel confirmed.
Bringing her eyes to his, thoughts raced through Samantha's mind. Over the years, she had fought her attraction to Jack O'Neill, and the loneliness following her split with Pete. Throughout, Daniel had been at her side, with a kind word. A wave of guilt washed over her when she realized that while Daniel had been there for her through her trials of the heart, in that time Daniel had been alone. At that moment, a surge of feelings never realized were unleashed. Daniel had been one of her closest friends throughout her career, but he had always been more than that. She saw it all so clearly now. It made perfect sense on many levels. Even the obscure facts fit, with Daniel's continued habit of becoming romantically involved with those who had played host to a symbiote, and her having been host to the Tok'ra Jolinar.
"What about Jack?" Samantha whispered.
"What about any of us? We have been alone for too long, when we could have been together. If we are going to do this, we do this for us, not for anyone else. I want this, but do you?" Daniel asked.
"We both do." Samantha admitted.
Drawing closer to one another, they looked deeply in each others eyes. In those eyes, each saw a future they never believed possible. They saw a friend and colleague, but most importantly saw the secrets their hearts had silently held for so long. For the first time, their lips touched. At that moment, an announcement rang out throughout the SGC.
"Unscheduled off world activation." A voice announced.
Coming to their senses, both slipped back into their professional faces, and quickly made their way to the gate room operations center. Learning of an inbound team with a priority capture and a medical emergency, both altered their course to the gate room itself. Entering the gate room with a medical response team feet behind them, both Carter and Jackson watched as four men carrying a stretcher exited the gate. On that stretcher was the traitor, Lieutenant Breanne Goodly. Seconds later, Captain Jack O'Neill exited the gate.
"We got her." Jack said proudly.
Emergency medical personnel swarmed over the stretcher. As they did, Carter stared icily at Goodly's unconscious form. This was the woman who had betrayed her trust. This was the officer that had ended many lives aboard Arkos Station. This was the woman who might have the answers needed to find the remaining Lucian Alliance operatives on Earth.
"Get her to medical, and keep her unconscious. Pass that order on to Doctor Lam. I will be down there shortly." Brigadier General Samantha Carter ordered.
Turning to Daniel, Sam found herself reassured by his presence. Without thinking, she reached out and took his hand in hers. Seeing this, Captain Jack O'Neill pointed at their hands while arching an eyebrow. In response, Daniel and Samantha smiled sheepishly.
"Good for both of you. It's about time. I would say lets all grab dinner tonight, but I'm sure you two would rather enjoy a romantic meal without me. I'm proud of both you silly kids." Jack said with a chuckle.
"I need to report Goodly's capture to the Pentagon, if you'll excuse me." Carter said in a slightly embarrassed tone.
"Want to grab some pie in the mess hall for old times sake?" Daniel asked.
"Pie always sounds good. That gives us time for you to tell me all about your love life." Jack teased.
Breanne Goodly would be rushed into surgery shortly. Unaware she was on Earth presented an opportunity for Earth. That opportunity was one none at the SGC would allow to be squandered.