Chapter 69

November Site

Multiple hyperspace windows tore open near the Tauri/Asgard moon base. Seven captured Lucian Alliance Ha'tak class sh.i.p.s that were disabled in the battle of the super gate had been towed to the November Site for study. It was hoped that valuable intelligence information could be obtained from the computer cores and other systems of the captured vessels.

Small teams of Tauri and Asgard technicians swarmed over the sh.i.p.s. Computer core contents were rapidly downloaded and transferred for study. It was noted that these examples of the Goa'uld design had performed with greater shield and weapons strength. The upgrades would be studied in the hopes that trends in Lucian Alliance engineering could be understood and predicted.

Once all that could be learned from these vessels was in hand the vessels would be transferred to an as yet to be named storage site after their repair. It was thought that the captured craft might prove to be useful at some point in the future. Mainly this was being done because a clear plan of what to do with the vessels did not exist.

Within the subsurface facilities of the November Site those Asgard vessels that sustained damage of any kind were docked within the cavernous subterranean docking station. Technicians hovered over data displays to find out what could be learned from the confrontation. Asgard technology had again performed brilliantly, but each battle was an opportunity to learn from and improve already amazing engineering. Minor adjustments would be made to weapons settings, shield frequencies, and automated combat maneuvering profiles. This was the Asgard way of war.

Pluto

Within the ancient shipyard McKay sat in an engineering lab going over schematics of his latest design. Having reviewed performance data from vessels and systems involved in the battle of the super gate he had come to the immediate conclusion that a new system was needed. With assistance from the Arkos, Destiny, and Borealis AI's that new system had taken the shape McKay had envisioned. From the station wide intercom system an announcement rang out.

"Ares and Hammond now arriving"

Finishing his sandwich McKay radioed instructions for the commanders of the two vessels to join him in the lab. Very content with himself Rodney leaned back in his chair with a smug grin on his face. Minutes later Colonel's Carter and Sheppard entered the lab.

"Hi Rodney" smiled Sam.

"Good you're here! I thought you'd never arrive" beamed Rodney.

"Care to fill us in on exactly why you dragged us all the way from Pegasus" asked Sheppard.

"Good to see you too" huffed Rodney.

"Rodney, you pulled us away at a bad time is all" said Sam to smooth things over.

"Spill it Rodney" ordered Sheppard.

"After the recent battle with the Lucian Alliance I noted a few areas where we can increase combat performance in the fleet. While the drones and beam weapons performed as they were supposed to it got me thinking about where to find more firepower. With that I present to you that improvement. I'm calling it the Grodin" beamed Rodney.

On the display screen the schematic for the Grodin appeared. Stepping closer Sam looked intently at the engineering diagrams while doing some mental math.

"This looks like a miniaturized version of the ancient satellite weapon" said Sam.

"That's why I'm naming it after Peter Grodin. He did give his life so a weapon like this could save Atlantis" said Rodney with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"So you're putting this on both of our sh.i.p.s" asked Sheppard.

"Unfortunately no. Only the Athena class sh.i.p.s will be fitted with the Grodin. Ares will be fitted with it today, and in thirty six hours we'll proceed to the elsewhere for a test firing" replied Rodney.

"McKay, if Hammond isn't being equipped then why am I here" asked an exasperated Sam.

"Oh yeah, you're here so we can replace your rail gun batteries with the energy weapon turrets Destiny utilizes. That will be complete by the time Ares returns from test firing the Grodin" answered Rodney dismissively.

"I couldn't help but notice Borealis is almost finished getting fixed up" stated Sheppard.

"Should be complete any day now. We'll be joining you in Pegasus soon. Daniel is there now if you care to see him. That gives me a chance to show you my pride and joy" beamed Rodney.

While the two officers embarked on their way to tour the Ancient city ship with McKay as their guide several levels above them machinery sprang into action. Onboard the Ares power conduits were taken offline as spider like automated repair robots began modification to the top rear of the ship for installation of the Grodin. On Hammond a greater number of the same robots swarmed over the ship removing rail gun's first to clear the way for the far more powerful energy weapon turrets. In other docks the remaining 304's in the Milky Way were receiving the same modifications. After Ares performed the validation test firing of the Grodin the Athena's would receive the new weapon class wide.