Chapter 57

Tuat

On the surface of the planet, within the palatial building at the center of the Goa'uld built complex a meeting was taking place. The combined second's of the Lucian Alliance were here to meet with their first; Mallic.

"Our operatives report the Tauri are indeed bringing Destiny back to this galaxy using the super gate" stated Holid.

"If they return that ship to this galaxy where we are strong nothing will prevent our capture of it and all it contains" stated Mallic.

"Mallic we must first deal with the Jaffa as they will surely strike at us again" said Bodig.

"The Jaffa are of no concern, and never were" sneered Mallic.

"They sought to attack us with their fleet" responded Bodig.

"The Jaffa are now in our fold. What you did not know at the time was this battle was simply Jaffa politics playing itself out on a larger stage. Members of their high council sought total control and could not accomplish this with Bra'tac and Teal'c in the way. With Bra'tac dead Teal'c was easily pushed out of the council. Yat'Yir fed us the troop movements and strengths. All Jaffa to include their high council answer to me" laughed Mallic.

"A brilliant ruse indeed Lord Mallic, but the Tauri" began Bodig.

"The Tauri are occupied. We have penetrated their organizations with our operatives. They have taken the majority of all left behind by the ancients. They have Atlantis after all. Destiny is ours" said Mallic simply.

"When do we begin" asked Holid.

"We already have. Our fleet is already moving into place" finished Mallic.

Destiny

An hour earlier over the sh.i.p.s intercom system all hands had been directed to attend the gathering in the gate room. Typically really big announcements were made there and the crew was hoping for one of that magnitude this time as well. All members aboard the ancient vessel were in attendance. Entering the room Colonel Young climbed the one of the twin curving staircases to give all those in attendance the opportunity to hear what was to be said. Looking out over the crowd Young thought of those that had been lost during this journey. Pushing aside the pain of those loses he cleared his throat and began.

"Thank you all for coming. I look out over all of the faces I see present and memories both good and bad come to mind. With a heavy heart I also think of those faces no longer among us. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten as it paved the way for our continued survival. Never before have I had the honor of commanding such an amazing group of individuals. When we arrived here on that fateful day we were all indeed individuals. I've watched you grow into a team and more than that into a family. I truly am honored to have had the opportunity to live among you and command this family. You are intelligence, adaptable, and posses the strongest will to survive I have ever before seen in my time in the armed forces. We've been through a lot, more in fact than most could ever endure in a lifetime. You have all acquitted yourselves with dignity and panache. I think back often to a similar gathering among us when we first arrived here. I told you will stick together and we will make it home. Many times that looked like a promise I wouldn't be able to keep. I'm here to tell you that promise will be coming true. After conferring with Earth it is my humble duty to inform you that three days from today we will be returning home" said Young.

Cheers broke out among the gathered crew. Some laughed, some hugged, and others cried. The outpouring of emotion was something rarely seen. In each face could be seen the sobering effect of the message delivered. They were finally going home. Raising his hands to draw attention Young continued.

"Three short days and we're home. Anywhere else three days passes in the blink of an eye. I understand the weight that has been lifted off of all of our shoulders with this news. Now is not the time to relax. The end is in sight but that can be the most perilous time in any journey. Yes we are going home, but we are also returning to the home turf of the same people who attempted to take this vessel from us by force. I need you all vigilant until after we cross the finish line. Not knowing what we're stepping into means I need each and every one of you well rested and ready for anything that can be thrown at us. Murphy's Law has bit a chunk out of our asses several times on board this ship. Let's not let him do it again. That's all. You're all free to return to your stations" said the Colonel while descending the staircase.

Heading to his quarters to lay down Young closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. Finally, he was bringing his people home. The cost had been great, but the end was in site.