Chapter 54

New Heliopolis

In the wake of the Jaffa execution of Mr. Briggman revulsion had rippled through the five races. Civilized people were expected to respect the sanctity of diplomats. In the aftermath of this recent debacle it was decided to immediately halt all aid to the Jaffa. No further would medical or technological assistance be provided. Military action was not considered, but not ruled out should further hostile actions take place.

Hammond

Dropping from hyperspace the Hammond engaged sub light engines. The long range sensors of Atlantis had shown this area of space was the most likely drop out point from hyperspace for the Wraith hive ship that was being tracked. It was the Hammond's mission to intercept and engage this hive before the culling it was surely headed to perform.

"Raise shields. Anything on the sensors" asked Colonel Carter.

"No ma'am, sensors are clear at the moment" responded Major Marks.

"Go to battle stations. I want to be ready the moment they exit hyperspace" ordered Carter.

Onboard the Hammond men and women hurried through the many corridors of the ship to their assigned battle stations. Like a finely tuned machine the crew of the Hammond readied themselves for the battle to come. This well rehearsed dance was now second nature during their time in the Pegasus galaxy.

"Hyperspace window opening to starboard. One hive and one cruiser detected" said Marks quickly.

"Move to intercept. Power up the Asgard beam and give me three bursts at the cruiser" ordered Carter.

"They are powering weapons" announced Marks.

Changing course the Hammond charged towards the two Wraith vessels from abeam. Three bright shafts of superheated plasma sprang forth towards the smaller Wraith vessel. Tearing through the organic hull of the vessel the beams destroyed everything in their path. Passing through the interior of the hull the three beams broke through the other side and continued on into the emptiness of space. In seconds the Wraith cruiser disintegrated in a horrific explosion consuming the entire ship.

"Cruiser is neutralized. The hive is firing" crisply stated Marks.

The many weapons points along the flank of the hive ship spat a powerful volley of energy bolts towards the Hammond. Colliding into the Tauri sh.i.p.s shields each bolt caused the shields to blossom brightly as the Wraith weapons fire dissipated against the protective energy screen. Aboard the Hammond sparks flew from electronics consoles below and over head of the crew seated on the bridge.

"Shields are at ninety one percent" called out Marks.

"Target the dart bay doors, give me two bursts from the beam" ordered Carter.

Nimbly maneuvering to avoid the Wraith weapons fire the Hammond again fired her Asgard beam weapons. The silvery colored beams covered the distance between the two combating vessels in less than a second. On contact the dart bay door buckled. In the sudden vacuum darts and Wraith pilots were forcibly ejected into the harshness of space. Despite this the hive continued firing upon the Hammond and scoring successive hits.

"Shields are at seventy four percent" stated Marks.

"Engage the cloak and move out of their weapons range. Then bring us in behind them and target their hyper drive" ordered Carter.

The 304 class vessel accelerated to full sub light and banked away from the imposing hive ship. With her clock engaged the vessels disappeared visibly and from the sensors aboard the hive. Using the confusion to their advantage the Hammonds crew maneuvered in behind the hive before disengaging the clock. Within seconds a single beam raced forward towards the hive. On contact the hyper drive and the Wraith hope of escape disintegrated. Seeing their means to escape vanish the Wraith opened fire with renewed vigor. Frightening amounts of weapons fire impacted the Hammonds shields.

"Shields are at sixty one percent. Recommend we open the distance between ourselves and the hive ma'am. We can't take that kind of fire for much longer" stated Marks.

"Evasive maneuvers. I want to be in front of them. Giving me lateral separation of ten thousand kilometers" ordered Carter.

Weaving along an erratic and unpredictable path the Hammond opened the distance. Once the distance was met Hammond turned on her access bringing the two vessels head on. In an intergalactic game of chicken the two vessels faced off.

"Fire all Asgard beam batteries. Transfer power to shields" ordered Carter.

Eight lethal shafts of superheated plasma raced towards the hive. In rapid succession they struck. With the hull breached internal bulkheads began to buckle. Power conduits sheared by the beam overloaded the hives power grid and generators began to go critical. Internal explosions created a lethal firestorm that raced through the maze of chambers and hallways of the Wraith vessel.

"The hive core is going critical" stated Marks.

"Maximum sub light, get us away from them. Transfer power from the beam weapons to shields" ordered Carter.

From the many breaches of its hull the hive vented atmosphere and jets of flame from the firestorm that consumed her decks. As the central power core detonated golden tinted energy broke free from the confines of the organic hull. In fraction of a second the entire hive disintegrated in a horrific explosion from within. The only marker left behind by the now dead Wraith was a pocket of persistent radiation.

"Hive destroyed. Sensors are clear" said Marks happily.

"We took a bit more damage than I had hoped for. Engage the hyper drive and set course for Atlantis. Smoke them if you've got them" said Sam with a smile on her face.