P4X-658
Milky Way
For the second time in less than twelve hours, the seldom used gate on the world known as P4X-658 activated. Instead of men on foot exiting the active even horizon, two swift and sleek craft emerged in a flurry of motion. Cloaking systems onboard the two Puddle Jumpers activated automatically, as the craft cleared the gate, now fully rematerialized. Angling steeply skyward, the two now fully cloaked and invisible Jumpers rose to a height of five thousand feet. From this height, the two craft scanned the terrain below in all directions.
Detecting no life signs on the ground below, the two craft broke formation. The lead jumper gracefully descended to the clearing in front of the now inactive gate. Lowering the rear ramp, SG-31 minus their team academic, and Daniel Jackson exited. Three hundred meters behind the rear of the gate, the second Jumper set down in a second small clearing. From within this second craft, a quick reaction force of four men exited. These men were part of the SGC quick reaction force, coming from the Army's 10th Special Forces Group.
Their passengers now firmly on the ground, both still cloaked Jumpers rose once again into the skies above. There, the two craft would perform over watch as events on the ground unfolded. First Contact situations in the past had taught the SGC the value of caution, and the need to have an unseen card in the game. At Daniels urging, Colonel Andrews released a Kino, where it would hover over the edge of the gate clearing, to record this potentially historic meeting.
Deciding to settle in for a wait, Daniel walked to the edge of the clearing in front of the gate, and sat down on a large fallen tree thirty meters from the ancient device. Colonel Andrews motioned the other members of SG-31 towards their areas of responsibility deeper in the wood line. Fanning out, the two team members moved to each side of the clearing, and proceeded into cover. Sixty meters separated their positions. Andrews opted to remain beside Doctor Jackson, as suggested by General Carter before their departure. Looking at the moving members of his team in the tree line, Andrews marveled at the sight of the exoskeletons as they activated their adaptive camouflage system.
Behind the gate, the Special Forces team was also moving into position. They too activated their adaptive camouflage systems on their exoskeletons. At activation, the combat suits changed coloring to match their surroundings, with earthy brown and dark green of the forest displaying on each suits exterior. Moving further into the old growth forest, each suits camouflage took on darker colors. Assuming their positions, each soldier was careful not to conceal themselves too close to the large trees. They did this to avoid what was termed in their training as tree cancer. When searching cover for a concealed combatant, unnatural growths at the base of trees were called tree cancer, due to the hiding combatant appearing to be a cancerous growth on each tree.
"The men are in position, and we have the eyes in the sky." Colonel Andrews stated.
"Now it's a waiting game." Jackson conceded.
"My only hope is this is a happy meet and greet." Andrews said hopefully.
"I see no reason it shouldn't. Though, I can see you standing here in battle armor being slightly disconcerting to whoever steps through the gate." Daniel replied with the hint of a frown.
"If this goes sideways, we will need these exoskeletons. Any unfriendly action on their part, and they will regret it fast. I want this to go as well as you do, but if it doesn't, we will cut them down." Andrews replied.
"First contact is always a crapshoot. The important part is that we go into this with good intentions. Many uncontrollable variables are present though." Daniel said.
"Like?" Andrews asked.
"We have very little idea how these people evolved after departing Earth. For that matter, we are not even certain they came from Earth. It does appear though that they are Roman descendants." Daniel explained.
"The Romans were a warlike people Doc. That fact alone should be enough to make you nervous." Andrews argued.
"That's not actually correct. Sure, the Roman's did engage in war often, but it was not done out of a love of war and conquest. Instead, war was the economic driver of the Republic, and later the Empire." Daniel explained.
"Like I said, it's a situation." Andrews said dismissively.
"A delicate situation." Daniel admitted.
Bringing his hand to the Ancient designed personal shield generator resting on his shirt, Daniel activated the device. It was time to get ready. In the distance, SG team members, and Special Forces soldiers alike, activated the liquid naquadah power cells similar to those found in Jaffa Staff Weapons, channeling power into each accompanying service members shoulder fired rail gun. Similar to the M-4 they replaced, these new individual weapons were vastly more powerful and lethal.
In the distance, an audible chime from the gate announced an impending activation. Chevrons on the gate illuminated. Seconds later, the unstable vortex burst forth from the device. Settling into a stable event horizon, it was undeniable that their expected visitors had arrived. From the gate, men began to exit. Weapons at the ready, eight men stepped through. Dressed in digital camouflage similar to that in use with the armed forces of the United States, these men looked the part of professional soldiers.
The first four men to exit the gate broke into two separate groups of two legionaries, without prompting. Both groups quickly took station five meters in front of the gate, to the left and right. The remaining four legionaries remained together, though grouped into two separate fire teams. Using hand signals only, these four men advanced from the gate platform. Stepping off the platform onto the soil of the alien world, the four men stared at the seemingly unarmed man standing thirty meters in front of them.
The sight of an unarmed man standing in the gate clearing did not sit well with the legionaries. As this was a rescue and recovery mission for missing comrades, the sight of the man set already tense nerves on edge. Had the man been armed, they would have opened fire without hesitation. That he was not was the only thing keeping him alive at the moment.
"Tu pugnare non habemus. Date viros, et ab hoc saeculo." The legionarie stated crisply.
"We have been expecting you. I am Doctor Daniel Jackson." Daniel began in Latin.
Before the conversation could continue further, the Legionaries team at the right flank spotted the Kino floating above the clearing. Instead of exercising restraint, one of the young legionaries perceived this floating device to be a clear and present threat to his team, and his mission. Taking aim with his automatic weapon, the young man pulled the trigger, unleashing a storm of rounds at the Kino. In a show of marksmanship, two of the three rounds fired impact the Kino, breaking it into many now useless pieces.
Following training long ago ingrained in him, Colonel Andrews raised his weapon, taking aim at the main body of the newly arrived men. That movement made certain that all hell broke loose. Showing now hesitation, the legionaries fired on concert at the threat standing before them. Daniel, though protected by his personal shield, leaped behind the fallen tree he had been using as a seat moments before. Colonel Andrews, his exoskeleton deflecting the impacting weapons fire, sprinted to his left, taking cover behind a large standing tree. As he moved, his exoskeletons adaptive camouflage system altered the suits exterior color matrix. Seeing this, the legionaries were suddenly very unsure of what was standing between them and their mission.
"Cease fire! We are not your enemy!" Daniel yelled in Latin, from behind cover.
"Secure your weapons! We come only for our countrymen." The legionarie commander yelled in return.
Instead of looking at the source of the conversation, the legionaries turned their eyes to the tree line ringing the gate. Though they could hear movement around the periphery, they saw nothing to suggest the identity of the noise. Instead of remaining secure behind the log covering him, Daniel stood. Climbing over the fallen log, he slowly walked towards the legionaries. Before taking his fourth step, objects flew out of the wood line to the left and right. Hitting the clearings soil, the objects began to spew thick and acrid smoke.
From their military training, the legionaries knew laying down smoke was a clear precursor to an attack. Bringing their weapons back up fully, fingers slipped inside trigger guards. Before they had the opportunity to squeeze triggers, objects fell in front of the three groups of legionaries. A blinding flash and concussive boom rang out, as flash bang grenades hurled from Special Forces soldiers behind the attackers detonated. As the stunned legionaries collapsed to the ground, the four Special Forces rear guard soldiers sprang from the woods. Sprinting, they moved to within three meters of their targets. SG-31 did the same.
Stunned, but retaining some amount of awareness, the young legionarie lying beside his commander somehow managed to take aim at the form of Daniel Jackson. Summoning every ounce of his will, the young man managed to squeeze off a single shot from his weapon. Believing that if he were to die, he would take one of the enemy with him, the young man was filled with shock a second later. Instead of a large and gapping wound appearing on the man, a bright green field of energy illuminated for a split second around the man. Daniel was unharmed. Before another shot could be fired, the stunned legionaries were disarmed, as Special Forces soldiers kicked weapons out of hands.
"I am not your enemy." Daniel stated slowly, and clearly.
At Jackson's direction, the now disarmed legionaries were sat up on their knees. The effects of the flash bang now fading, the men looked at their captors. The legionaries minus their commander looked at Daniel with hate in their eyes. The legionarie commander had the look of a man trying quickly to figure out all the angles, and one wondering just why it was he was not dead yet.
"Are we your prisoners?" The commander asked.
"No, you are not a prisoner. I would prefer if you leave your weapons on the ground though. Colonel Andrews, order everyone to lower their weapons." Daniel requested.
"Simply not pointing weapons at my men and I does not mean we are not prisoners. Be aware, we are not the only team from my world that is here." The commander hinted.
"We know that another team from your world is not present." Daniel argued.
"How can you be so sure? Even now, one of my countrymen may be targeting you and your men." The commander goaded.
"Look up." Daniel suggested.
The commander and other legionaries took the suggestion, and saw something they never believed possible. In the air above the clearing, where nothing had been a moment before, two craft shimmered into view. These craft looked alien to the legionaries, and menacing in a way difficult to explain.
"If we are not your prisoners, then explain the purpose of all of this." The legionarie commander requested.
"It is easier if I show you." Daniel stated.
From his pocket, Daniel removed a small metallic disc. This, he placed on the ground beside him. As Daniel stepped back, the disc activated. From it, a beam of energy rose several feet off the ground. In the beams place, a holographic recording took shape. In this recording, they saw and heard the conversation with the injured legionaries in the SGC infirmary.
"A team of explorers from my world came upon this man, and his team. I am sorry to report that the others were already dead upon discovery, but the man in the recording is on my world receiving medical care. We are here to inform you of this fact, and to allow you to collect your dead." Daniel explained.
"You came here with so many men and flying craft simply to tell me this?" The commander asked dubiously.
"I believe our two worlds have much we could learn from each other. Passing on information about your dead and wounded it a first act of kindness, and friendship." Daniel responded.
"You speak Latin, but it is not modern Latin. The dialect you speak is very old. How is it you speak my language?" The commander asked.
"Latin? It was once a language in common usage on my world, but one that has fallen into disuse." Daniel explained.
"By whom?" The commander demanded.
"First the Roman Republic, and later the Roman Empire." Daniel replied.
"Rome? You know of Rome?" The commander asked in shock.
"Why, yes I do. I have been there many times." Daniel replied with a smile, knowing he had found the hook needed.
"Tell me more of Rome, please!" The commander asked with urgency.
"That is a story that will take a fair amount of time. I have an alternate proposal. Stand up, and get your men collected. Return to your world and inform them of this meeting. I will do the same. In one day, we will send a representative here to meet with a representative of your government. If both sides are agreeable, our two worlds can establish a dialogue. After that, you and I will see Rome together." Daniel promised.
"You mean this truly?" The commander asked.
"I do. What is your name?" Daniel asked.
"I am Publius Calpurnius Piso, Centurion of the Domum Viam Legio." The commander replied.
"Publius Calpurnius, I hope we can soon become friends." Daniel replied honestly.
Arkos Station
Pluto
Milky Way
Since the Battle for Earth during the Wraith incursion, Arkos station had seen a level of activity unlike any since its creation many millions of years before by the Ancient's. A much larger staff was here now, than had been the case after the stations discovery. As the construction site, and docking point for the Tau'ri fleet, a never ending stream of departures and arrivals was now commonplace.
Though fleet units of Athena's, the new Crossbow Class, and Copernicus Class science vessels were still under construction, a project smaller in scale but larger in effort was underway. Construction bays used for F-302 production expanded into other surrounding bays. Not only were new units being built, but units already in service were streaming in for an upgrade announced two months earlier. The newly added 302 bays had been brought online for this upgrade, and the modifications needed to enact this upgrade. In the new construction bays, newly produced 302's would come built to this new upgrade, known as Block 30.
As they arrived, the F-302's, FB-302's, and UCAV's, were peeled open. Outer skins were removed, giving access to the automated construction equipment of Arkos. This eased current systems removal. First to go, were the engines and aerospike equipped to the craft. The fuel system, tanks, and plumbing followed. In their place, drive pods like those found on Puddle Jumpers were installed. Taking the place of the fuel system, an energy storage device also found on Puddle Jumpers was installed, which would recharge from the fleet vessels they traveled aboard. The drive pods mounted at the rear of the craft, in the place of the engines they replaced. This new power supply system also made possible longer range jumps with each crafts hyper drive, on the order of ten light years.
In the nose of each 302, the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 AESA Radar found its new home. AESA, or Active Electronically Scanned Array, is an active phased array radar. Transmitter and receiver functions are found in many hundreds of small transmit and receive modules. AESA radars independently aim their beam per module. The radar signal emissions are spread across a wide band of frequencies, making it extremely difficult to detect over background noise. The AESA can also be used as a jammer, or a means of cyber warfare transmission. AESA allows aircraft to broadcast a jam resistant and very powerful radar signal incredible distances, while remaining stealthy. It was hoped that this addition would greatly increase the air-to-air capability of the already lethal F-302.
The next Block 30 upgrade was one that many pilots were overjoyed to see. The AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System represented a thermal tracking system with the ability to exceed detection thresholds of even the AESA radar being installed. Comprised of eight infrared sensors, flush mounted into each 302's upper and lower fuselage skin, makes possible three hundred and sixty degree, spherical coverage. When in operation, the DAS will provide the flight crew with missile launch warning, enemy approach, situational awareness, and navigationally optimized forward looking infrared in one system. In addition to providing thermal enhanced night vision, the system also specialized in launch warning and detection, even from extreme distances. The overall three hundred and sixty degree picture, even through the floor of the aircraft, was integrated into a computer rendered heads up display displayed in the pilot's helmet visor. In combat, the old axiom of if you can see it you can kill it, was very true. Now, the 302 flight crews could see far more around them in the battlespace, and kill it before it killed them.
The fighter and bomber variants of the 302 were also receiving upgrades to internal weapons bays. Thanks to the removal of internal fuel tanks, these bays were enlarged, increasing weapons carrying capacity. Inside each bay, rotary launchers were being installed, similar to that found on the B-1. This simple addition meant each 302 could double its weapons carrying capacity. As they were introduced, these rotary launchers would carry the new generation of missiles currently under development on Earth.
Manned F-302's and FB-302's had made good use of their rail guns against the Wraith, and Genii. Those weapons would remain, with alterations. Now, the rail gun was internally mounted, fixed to a retractable platform that would retreat into its own bay within the fighter's fuselage. This new mount also had the ability to track twenty-eight degrees to the left or right. Rail gun shots could now be taken off bore sight, opening new possibilities for air-to-air kills. The large fleet of UCAV's carried by the Prometheus Class were losing their rail guns, with an Ion bolt cannon, and Free Electron Laser mount taking its place.
In addition to the Block 30 upgrade, the 302 fleet was also gaining an entirely new version. The EF-302 is built around the two-seat FB-302 airframe. In the front seat would be the pilot, while an electronic warfare officer, or bear as pilots called them would occupy the rear. One of the two weapons bays was filled with a new jammer and electronic warfare suite, developed jointly between Earth and the Asgard. The other weapons bay had the ability to carry standard NATO weapons. On the rear stabilizers, a large blister dome sat at the top of each. These housed further intercept and jamming gear. These Wild Weasels would take the Iron Hand mission of electronic defense suppression into the galaxy and beyond.
On the lowest level of Arkos station, in an area normally reserved for construction of city ships and Prometheus Class carriers, the second ship of the Commencement Class took shape. Unlike the powerful warships built within Arkos during its millions of year's long history, the Commencement Class was not a warship or science vessel. Instead, this class was meant to serve as a viable means of simplified colonization, far different than the city ships the Ancient's had made use of.
Three kilometers in length, four hundred meters in height, and eight hundred meters in width, the Commencement Class were larger than most ships in the known universe. Modular in design, the Commencement contained every system a newly arrived planetary colony would need. To better utilize space, colonists would be stored in a Wraith culling beam like device, where they would remain until arrival and set up. Further culling storage devices would hold livestock and other necessities. Upon arrival at the planned colony's location, the vessel would begin to dissect itself.
One of the two onboard neutrino ion generators powering the vessel would be unloaded as a module. This would form the basis for a colony wide power grid, when power conduits from within the vessel were beamed to ground, in a preplanned matrix. Desalinization and water treatment pods would detach, and become emplaced near large sources of water. Large apartment like structures would also be transferred to the ground. In the case of each structure moved to ground, a chamber of nanites underneath each compartmentalized section would activate, forming a metallic spike that would grow into the ground below, anchoring the structure permanently. An onboard hydroponic facility would also be offloaded, which would produce crops until native farming took hold. To assist this effort, further culling storage units held seed stock for many crops, livestock, and fish for an included onboard fish farm. When complete, these readymade colonies would have the ability to support up to a maximum of one hundred thousand colonists.
When unfolding of the vessel was complete, with colonist off loaded, the outer framework of the vessel retaining its lone remaining neutrino ion generator and hyper drive, would realign and reconfigure itself into a vessel of smaller dimensions. This new vessel would serve as the new colony's first cargo carrying ship. As Rodney McKay, the chief designer, had termed it, the vessel was an erector set unlike any other. Making use of this class of vessel, the Unites States would set up future colonies in several galaxies. In this method, it was more efficient than the system employed by the Russian, Chinese, and French governments in their colonization programs.
Washington, D.C.
Earth
Traffic on U Street was a mess, but that was normal for the typical DC evening. Maneuvering his year old Corvette around a taxi in his path, Colonel John Sheppard looked over at the U Street Metro station, thankful that he owned a car and was not forced to brave the DC subway system. Looking ahead, he saw the intersection of U and 14th, and his turn to his final destination. His brother had arrived in the DC area, and selected Marvin as the restaurant for the evening. At least the food would be great! However, he did not understand his brother's cloak and dagger act as of late. Midlife crisis perhaps?
For once, Sheppard actually found a parking space within fifty feet of where he was going. That almost never happened in the city. Maybe Chaya Sar was still watching over him, Sheppard mused. Parking his Corvette, Sheppard quickly covered the distance to Marvin. Stepping through the double doors, his eyes fell upon the attractive hostess. Tonight might be a very good night, at least from this vantage point.
"How many in your party sir?" The hostess asked.
"I am meeting someone, and I think they are already here." Sheppard replied.
"Your party's name sir?" The hostess asked.
"Powers, Austin Powers." Sheppard said with an inward sigh.
"Really?" The hostess asked with a laugh.
"Yeah. He wrote the movies." Sheppard replied, trying not to smirk.
"Follow me, and I will take you to your table." The hostess said, after checking the seating chart.
Stepping to the right of the hostess station, the young woman led Sheppard into the downstairs dining room. Tonight, Marvin was packed. No surprise, as the food really was that good here. Looking ahead, the Colonel saw his brother Dave Sheppard in his seat, looking around nervously. John slid into his seat, with a final smile for the quiet hostess.
"Enjoy your meal gentlemen. I love your movies!" The hostess said before walking away.
"My movies?" Dave Sheppard asked.
"Well Mister Powers, they were great movies." Colonel Sheppard said with a laugh.
"You look good John. I see life in the universe has been good to you." Dave began.
"Saving a galaxy is a great cure for gray hair Dave." John replied.
"Be honest with me. Is that what you were doing when no one knew where you were for so long?" Dave asked seriously.
"If I told you that, I would have to kill you. The honest answer is yes though." John replied.
"It's hard to imagine my brother in another galaxy, saving the world." Dave said with genuine affection for his brother.
"That is 9 to 5 stuff. You should see what we do on the weekend." John answered with a laugh.
"So, what else is going on with you?" Dave asked.
"Stop right there. I saw you looking over your shoulder when I walked in, and you have been fidgeting since I sat down. What is really going on Dave? Are you in some kind of trouble?" John asked.
"It is a long confusing story. Sometimes I wonder if I am going crazy." Dave answered.
"Give me the Readers Digest version." John suggested.
"I was approached at the office. Someone wanted access to power grid data. Why would they come to me for that?" Dave asked.
"Probably because our father built an empire consisting of utilities companies all over the country. What is so surprising about that?" John asked.
"I told them I could not help them. Soon after, I noticed I was being followed everywhere I went. Strange cars parked in front of the house, and outside the office. Someone even followed me while I was golfing." Dave explained.
"Are you sure you are not being just a touch paranoid Dave?" John asked.
"I thought that too, until the phone calls and emails started. Threats against me, and my wife started rolling in daily. I thought it was all a strange joke, until someone killed my dog. I am telling you, someone is out to hurt me." Dave said with a trace of urgency in his voice.
"You know who I work for. Do you want me to have people check into this?" John asked.
"No, I do not want you involved in this. Just make me a promise, ok?" Dave asked.
"Ok, what am I promising?" John asked.
"If something happens to me, promise you will check the notes section of my iphone. It is synched to my iCloud, and my iPad. If anything happens, check there. Please." Dave pleaded.
"Ok, I promise. I do think you are making a mountain out of a molehill though." John stated.
Dinner came and went. John noted that his brother shifted to benign topics after the promise was made. Over a dessert, the two laughed and talked of events from their childhood. Finally, it was time to leave. Unsurprisingly, Dave Sheppard picked up the tab for the meal. That was ok though, as he made far more per year than a Colonel in the United States Air Force ever could. Standing up, the two men made their way towards the front door. His brother bumped into him from behind.
"Are you armed? I swear I just bumped into a pistol." Dave said in surprise.
"After the decade I have had, you feel naked without a firearm. Nothing to worry about though, I have a permit for it." John replied with a wry grin.
"Heading home from here, or are you off to Georgetown for drinks?" Dave asked.
"I will be heading home. Where are you staying? You are more than welcome at my place. Boling Air Force Base gave me great quarters, and I have plenty of room." John suggested.
"I have a room at the Hay Adams, but I am not staying overnight. My plane is sitting at National, and I am flying home in a few hours." Dave replied.
"So, you flew in just for dinner and a promise about an iphone? Dad would have loved that." John smirked.
"Dad ran the company his way, and I run it my way." Dave replied without humor.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk, the two men were greeted with a cool breeze. Fall was coming fast. Stepping to the curb, Dave raised an arm, hoping to signal a taxi. Colonel Sheppard began his short walk towards his Corvette, looking around as he did. Down 14th, a DC police cruiser was blocking traffic, with an officer standing beside the car parked sideways in the street. Turning around to glance at his brother, John took note of another police cruiser doing the same thing in the 14th and U Street intersection. Everything about the scene felt wrong to Colonel Sheppard somehow. His instincts screamed at him.
Trying to wrap his head around his now alert senses, John barely noticed perspiration starting to form on his brow and on his back. His hands flexed of their own accord. Something was happening, and he was missing it somehow. What was it? Before his mind could come up with potential answers, he heard the loud screech of tires. Swinging his head back around towards his brother Dave, John saw a black van sliding to a halt, ten feet from where his brother stood. Then, its side door flung open.
On instinct, Colonel Sheppard slid his hand into his suit jacket, reaching for the holstered pistol at the small of his back. Feeling the butt of the M1911 .45, his body and mind went into automatic. Freeing the weapon from its holster, he raised it above his head, while firing two rounds.
"Run Dave!" John bellowed.
A man exited the open side door of the van, while raising an MP-5 submachine gun to his shoulder. Already primed for contact, Sheppard leveled his .45 at the man, putting a round into his attacker's chest. On reflex, the man fired off a burst from his submachine gun, while his body crumpled to the street. Down the street, the police officer standing next to his cruiser in the street leveled his own pistol at Sheppard, putting a round through the Colonels shoulder. Despite the wound, John levels his pistol in the police officers direction, firing off two rounds. As the man fell lifeless to the pavement, Sheppard took cover behind a parked car.
On the side of the car opposite Sheppard, a second man from the black van creeps around. John see's his brother standing there, paralyzed by the events playing out. John tries to yell for him to run, but his throat is suddenly parched, and he finds himself unable to speak. Around the nose of the car covering Sheppard, the second man comes around with his pistol at the ready. He and John lock eyes for a brief second that felt as if it spanned into hours, and fire at one another in unison. John's shot hit the mans throat, ending his life in a bloody gurgle. The mans shot glances off John's head, neatly creasing the flesh in a bloody wound.
A third man leaped from the van, bringing his pistol butt down hard on Dave's head. Staggered, Dave drops to a knee. His attacker throws a black hood over his head, and drags him to the van. Tires squeal as the van's side door slams closed, the vehicle speeding away. Surrounded by several dead bodies, Colonel John Sheppard slides into unconsciousness. Black envelopes his mind as everything ceases to matter.