Chapter 63

Athena

Arrayed in a curving fan formation in front of the stargate sat Athena and her sister sh.i.p.s under cloak. To starboard of the super gate sat the nine Aurora class vessels, also under cloak. An hour before the combined vessels of the Tauri had launched their jumpers and F-302's with all craft employing their cloaking abilities. It had been decided to keep the smaller craft further out to launch a rearguard action against any attacking forces.

"Sir, sensor's are showing twenty Asgard vessels exiting hyperspace to port" said Captain Franklin.

"Send word to our Asgard friends to assume stacking positions within the defensive fan" replied Colonel Eckhart.

Nimbly maneuvering into position the graceful yet massive O'Neill class vessels took station as instructed. Without being prompted to do so the Asgard contingent raised their powerful shields while powering weapons that would remain on standby. Looking over the sensor readout Thor was again impressed with the tactical prowess Tauri commanders displayed. With a small movement of the control stone on his command panel Thor activated his holographic communications system. A second later the holographic image of Thor stood on the bridge of the Athena.

"Greetings Colonel Eckhart" said Thor.

"Hello Thor, thank you for joining us" replied Eckhart.

"All Asgard vessels are deployed in formation as you have requested. I have taken the step of having all vessels raise shields and power weapons. We are ready" responded Thor.

"Let's hope the precautions are all for nothing. Contact us if you need anything" finished Eckhart.

With a nod of his head the image of Thor vanished. Sensors on the combined vessels began to display detection warnings of inbound vessels approaching in hyperspace. Sensors also noted an increase in energy output emanating from the super gate.

"All vessels this is Athena. Sensors are detecting suspected hostile forces inbound. We estimate their exit from hyperspace in ninety seconds. The super gate is activating now. This is what we've all trained for. Godspeed" said Eckhart in a fleet wide transmission.

Energy flowed between the individual modules of the super gate. The numerous high powered electrical arcs looked much like a lighting storm you would see on Earth. As power levels from the gate began to register off the scale on the sensors of the many sh.i.p.s around the gate the event horizon exploded forth. Quickly the unstable event horizon settled as its shining luminescence rippled.

"Incoming hostiles are exiting hyperspace now. Sensors show they are divided into three distinct groups. The innermost numbers forty Ha'tak class vessels, a second group of forty Ha'tak class vessels is to their starboard, and a third group of Ha'tak class vessels numbering fifty nine plus one mothership are stationary further out" rang out the report from Captain Franklin.

As the nose of Destiny broached through the event horizon the nearest two groups of Lucian Alliance vessels opened fire on the Asgard vessels standing in front of the super gate. Weathering the attack the Asgard shields blossomed but stood firm. Cloaks on the Tauri vessels disengaged as the O'Neill's began to maneuver with an agility that belied their size. A lone O'Neill remained in front of the super gate.

"Target the nearest Ha'Tak with the Asgard beam and fire" commanded Eckhart.

Lancing out from the Athena the beam weapon covered the distance between defender and attacker in less than a second. The Ha'tak shields blossomed on impact but held despite being highly taxed. Two further volleys of the beam weapon collapsed the Ha'tak shields then penetrated the outer hull with ease before piercing the vessels power core. The resulting explosion tore the large ship into pieces.

"Transfer neutrino ion generator number one fully to the beam weapons. Generators two through ten transfer to shields. Bring the zpm's online and transfer output directly to the drone weapons" ordered Eckhart.

As these orders were given Destiny emerged from the active wormhole. Before her lay a pitched battle that raged in hellish intensity. Seeing the ancient vessel emerge the second group of Ha'tak vessels advanced toward the gate and the defenders that stood between them and their prize. The nine Aurora's dropped their cloaks as they advanced to flank the oncoming enemy craft in a move that was anticipated long before the first shot was fired.