Chapter 77

M2S-998

The two cl.u.s.ters of Wraith vessels opened fire moments after weapons were charged. The sight of so much firepower being deployed by the guarding vessels was impressive. Effortlessly the opening salvos were absorbed by the ZPM powered hives ultra dense augmented hulls.

"I see you have declined my offer to join us. Pity" came Todd's reply via subspace message.

On command the two massive hives unleashed their own weapons in a hellish display. Twenty four incredibly intense bolts of blue energy shot forth from both hives main weapons from their left side weapons banks. The blue bolts of energy fired in a tight pattern ran headlong into the approaching wave of darts, destroying them so effectively as if it were an after thought. Their second volley targeted the lead hive in both the approaching groups of hostile vessels. Colliding into the organic hulls of the first hive targeted the bolts of energy eviscerated the nose of the vessel on contact. Following seconds behind the first shot the remaining bolts of energy impacted the now exposed interior levels of the targeted hive, burrowing deeper and deeper into the massive vessel. In seconds the first hive targeted was rendered down to nothing more than debris and ejecta; the detritus of the once powerful vessel.

With the defending forces fully engaged Ares and Apollo sprang into action; their sub-light engines pushing them closer and closer to the targeted planet. Despite having cloaks engaged bomb bay doors were opened, with the already prepped Horizon's lowered into place for firing.

"Ares this is Apollo. Confirm targeting sync with both weapons" said Ellis over the secure subspace link.

"Ares confirms targeting sync. Weapons release in twenty seconds" confirmed Sheppard.

Passing quickly through the geosynchronous orbital plane into the medium planetary orbital plane Ares and Apollo dropped their cloaks. With sub-light engines continuing to drive them through medium planetary orbit into low planetary orbit both vessels launched their Horizon's. Dropping free of their parent ship the Horizon's drifted for a three seconds to allow for clean exit from their firing bays before powering their solid fueled booster rockets. On ignition of the boosters of both Horizon missiles, the Ares and Apollo both broke away while reengaging their cloaking systems.

The ammonium perchlorate composite propellant fired, accelerating the twin Horizon missiles towards their targets on the planet. Heat quickly built up on the yellow and black checkered nose cones of the missiles as they impacted the upper portions of the planets atmosphere. Powering through despite the building drag the missiles quickly entered lower portions of the atmosphere before explosive bolts fired. Once the bolts fired the two sections of the now unneeded nose cone and protective shroud were ejected. With the obstruction of the no longer present nose cone removed the ten warheads on each Horizon came online for their final firing sequence. Originally the Horizon had been designed to carry six independent reentry vehicles and four decoy's, but for this mission maximum damage was needed necessitating their replacement with additional warheads.

Detecting entry into the spatial position necessary to hit all targets the firing computers aboard both missiles sent the release command to the firing squibs. Small pulse boosters at the base of each warhead received the launch command and fired, accelerating the already transonic inbound reentry vehicles away from the slowing Horizon missile body. Minute adjustments in attitude altered the course each warhead took as they plummeted to the ground below. The two Horizons had been launched seconds apart to allow the warheads to simultaneously detonate as a ground burst for the first Horizon, while the second Horizon's warheads detonated at five thousand feet.

Simultaneously the twenty Naqaudria enhanced thermonuclear weapons detonated. From orbit it looked as if twenty new suns were born on the planet below. Each multi-gigaton detonation erupted in an unholy display of light, energy, and ionizing radiation. Fireballs rose into the atmosphere lighting atmosphere ablaze with their incredible temperatures carrying with them fallout from below. On the surface of the planet a firestorm of incredible magnitude raged, followed by static overpressure and dynamic overpressure. An incredibly lethal belt of radiation the likes of which could only be found in some stars washed over the landscape. The combined forces of fire, overpressure, and incredible levels of radiation attacked the growing Wraith vessels anchored on the ground below. The exotic biopolymers withered under the assault before breaking down. The radiation attacked these biopolymers at the cellular level, rupturing the cell walls while poisoning the barren landscape. In seconds the sh.i.p.s were reduced to dead husks to be consumed by the growing firestorm.

"Apollo we have detonation on target of all twenty warheads" announced Sheppard.

Todd's two ZPM powered hive sh.i.p.s were handling the gathered mass of attacking vessels with ease. One after another Wraith cruisers fractured under the intense weapons fire. Seeing the futility of their task several of the attacking hives quickly surrendered to Todd's forces before taking up arms against their fellow Wraith. Witnessing the destructive power of Todd's sh.i.p.s the Wraith knew they had little hope of victory, but pressed home their attacks. Moments later only the ZPM powered hives and the defecting hives remained.

"I have kept my side of the arrangement as have you my sensors tell me" said Todd over the subspace video message.

"While we were turning your little buddies into TV dinners I see you managed to bring more friends into the fold. How nice" responded Sheppard.

"I did indeed John Sheppard. After seeing the power my hives wield how could they not seek to join me" laughed Todd.

"I'm guessing you didn't tell them the last vessel like that we destroyed over our home planet right? Wouldn't want to muddy the water with facts" replied Sheppard.

"The Wraith will now know our two sides are working in tandem against them. I'm certain of that" stated Todd.

"I'm looking forward to it. The sooner we finish them the sooner you can move elsewhere" taunted Sheppard.

With their mission complete the assorted vessels of the Pegasus Group jumped to hyperspace. Todd's forces would remain briefly to make crew adjustments aboard their newly acquired sh.i.p.s. All in all a good day for everyone but the Wraith.