Chapter 13

Cheyenne Mountain, SGC

The report from Atlantis had come in within hours. It contained photos and findings. With a speed rarely seen in government circles the report found its way to the President and a closed-door session of the IOA. General Landry knew that the response would be as swift as it would be viscous. The death toll was three hundred and ten men, women, and children. The collective rage of everyone at the SGC was palpable.

Landry knew this could only be the result of Genii retribution for their officers being eliminated. This act of terroristic barbarism must not go unpunished. Answering the red phone on his desk he already knew who it was as only one person in the world could contact Landry with this phone.

"Yes Mr. President." answered Landry.

"The IOA has given us a blank check on how to handle his Hank. The full brief is being transmitted to you now for dissemination to Atlantis." responded the President Hayes.

"What is the verdict Mr. President?" asked the General.

"The gloves come off this time General. From this moment forward the Genii represent a clear and present danger to the security of the United States and the governments of Earth!" snarled the President before slamming down the phone.

Walking to the gate room the General thought of the how TF 190 would receive these new orders. "Walter, dial Atlantis." ordered Landry.

Moments later the Stargate was activated. While transmitting the encrypted file Woolsey spoke to Landry of the ongoing efforts to secure the site and contact allies. "I haven't opened the file yet General. Care to give me the cliff notes version before I do?" asked Woolsey.

" TF 190 and TF Pegasus have a hunting license and no bag limit." responded the General acidly before the wormhole disconnected.

Apollo

"Colonel Ellis, you have a subspace message from Atlantis coming in." said the communications officer.

From the command chair, Ellis watched the holographic display appear in the air. "Atlantis, go for Apollo." Ellis replied.

"You are to immediately beam up the Stargate's from all known Genii locations. You are further authorized to conduct unrestricted warfare on all high value Genii targets of opportunity." informed Atlantis control.

Mission orders from the President and the report on the terrorist strike were forwarded to Colonel Ellis. Seeing the images, the Colonel seethed with uncontrollable rage. Within minutes, the Stargate sat in the hanger bay of the Apollo. The F-302's were deployed. Like birds of prey, they entered the atmosphere. Once over land they sought out any valid targets, but none were to be found. The Genii maintained the appearance of simple farmers on the surface. Their entire true high value infrastructure was contained in subterranean bunkers below ground level. Enraged by this Ellis recovered his fighters and jumped to hyperspace. If they could capture the gates fast enough the Genii would be broken into isolated pockets of resistance.

Wraith Outpost

Todd's efforts to utilize Michael's human/wraith hybrid research began to pay off. The secret lay in rendering dormant certain genetic pathways and activating others that were unused in Wraith after they achieved a certain age. No longer would his people need to feed on humans. A newly developed compound of amino acids fortified with a mineral rich material would sustain the hybrids rendering the need to cull outdated. The expansion of Todd's empire would no longer be tied to the growth of human hunting grounds to sustain his people.

The first of Todd's tasks was now complete. Moving forward he would effect the treatment on all Wraith under his control. He knew the humans of Atlantis would be filled with concern over these new hybrids after the atrocities of Michael not so long ago. Somehow, he must negotiate an alliance with them, allowing them to help force the remaining Wraith into his hand. No alliance could last forever he knew. A new galaxy would be needed for his people. Todd began to look for alternatives for the future.