Chapter 206

Pegasus Galaxy

Sensor data recovered from the flight data recorder of the Leonidas had been poured over by both Colonel Carter, and McKay on board Borealis. During the data review, the avatar of the city ship had confirmed the hypothesis about ship vulnerabilities to the newly encountered weapons systems aboard the Harbingers vessel. Another question answered though unasked, was that it was this new enemy that had long ago brought about the near destruction of Borealis.

The destruction of the Leonidas demanded a response, and it was coming in the form of a trap. Realizing that it was far too obvious if a Tauri, Asgard, or Ori vessel was used as bait, it was suggested that a Traveler ship be used. Despite being allies, use of this ship had come at a price. Hammering out the details for Earth had been Richard Woolsey. In the end, it had come at an incredibly high price. Intergalactic hyper drive technology, albeit a generations old Asgard design, repair and refit of the aging Traveler fleet at Arkos, and a safe haven planet in the Milky Way had finally been agreed to. All this brought us to the here and now.

Sitting in dead space, in the void between solar systems, was a lone Traveler generational ship. Throwing caution to the wind, this ship began transmitting a distress message on all frequencies, indicating that the ship was crippled and had three hundred souls aboard. It was hoped this would present a juicy enough target to lure the Wraith out.

One hundred and eight thousand kilometers from the broadcasting Traveler ship sat the Ares and Athena, under cloak. A second's long hyperspace jump away, waited the Hala. Closer in towards the bait sat one hundred and twenty F-302's under cloak, the combined fighter strength of both Ares and Athena.

"Incoming subspace data burst from Borealis sir." The communications officer announced.

"What's the word?" Colonel Sheppard asked lightly.

"Message reads; Baits taken. Three hives and nine cruisers inbound. Estimated time of arrival is twenty four minutes." The communications officer stated.

"One thing about Sudoku books, they are great to pass the time. Good for nerves also, in case anyone was wondering." Sheppard announced to his bridge crew.

On both Ares and Athena, tensions were high. Fear did not sit in the pit of anyone present's stomach. Instead, their emotions simmered for vengeance, to find retribution for their fallen comrades. Like the quiet professionals that they were, the crewmembers of both Tauri capital sh.i.p.s did their duties while steeling themselves for the fray to come. From the bridge of Athena, a string of communications was flowing in multiple directions.

"Communications officer, send data burst to all 302's with assignments. They are to remain in individual ten ship formations under cloak. Their point of aim on assigned target vessels is the hyperspace window generator at the stern. Once they are mission complete, they are act as gate stopper for any Darts that attempt to pursue the Traveler ship." Colonel Eckhart ordered.

"On the way now, sir." Athena's communication officer replied.

"Let's also make sure Thor is aware of the timing we're going to need for this." Eckhart suggested.

"Supreme Commander Thor has already confirmed receipt of instructions." The junior communications officer answered.

"Moments like these make me really missing smoking." Eckhart sighed.

"Incoming message from Katana Labrea on the bait ship Colonel." The suddenly very busy communications announced.

"Put it on the display." Eckhart instructed.

Seconds later the holographic display screen came to life. On it was the Traveler ship commander.

"We're ready to go on this end Colonel." Katana explained.

"Ok, the clock is counting down and they should be here in a few short moments. Divert all possible power to your shields, and as soon as you see explosions get out of dodge as fast as you can." Eckhart suggested.

"That's what we were going to do anyway Colonel." Katana replied with some sass in her voice.

"Easy now lady. I've got young men not ready for a woman with attitude on this bridge." Eckhart joked.

"But Colonel, I've only got eyes for you. Good luck." Katana said in closing.

On the bridge of both Tauri vessels, a clock counted down. When time wound down, they knew that the enemy would be upon them in two minutes. Calm came over both crews. Not nervous, or excited, they were focused on the task at hand and ready to wreck anything that stood in their path. Having been called to condition red ten minutes prior, everyone was settled in at battle stations. The time was upon them.

Four and a half seconds later than their expected time of arrival, the small Wraith fleet exited hyperspace. The three hives fanned out in a large boomerang shaped formation, with cruisers above and behind in a dispersed diamond formation. At low sublight speeds, the fleet advanced towards the crippled vessel that was their reason for being here. Unseen around them, twelve separate ten-ship elements of cloaked 302's began to close in. The leading Hive passed a point in space the Tauri had opted to call the demarcation line. Crossing this point of no return committed the awaiting fighter interceptors to the battle.

It must be done in a coordinated blow, the 302 pilots knew. Too soon and everyone would be out of position. Too late and much of the Wraith fleet might escape. This one had to be just right. Aware that they had just one shot to get this right, all ten 302's in each of the twelve flights would loose a naquadah enhanced AIM-120C AMRAAM at their targets. Closing in, at fifteen kilometers the 302's dropped their cloaks and fired. A total of one hundred and twenty of the lethal kamikaze's homed in on their targets. Crossing the distance in mere seconds in the zero drag environments, eighty-five struck their targets. Even though one third of the missiles failed to reach their aim point, the remaining missiles were more than enough overkill to achieve the mission.

Appearing to be a fireworks display from hell itself, explosions rocked the Wraith fleet. Their ability to flee might have saved them, had it not vaporized in a naquadah enhanced series of detonations. Seeing the explosions, the Traveler ship engaged sublight engines at maximum thrust and quickly fled the battlefield. Concentrating their weapons fire in the direction of the now fleeing easy target, the crippled Wraith fleet was ill prepared for the sudden exit of Hala from hyperspace. On exit from the now collapsing hyperspace window, Hala opened fire with her dual Grodin's.

The fearsome green colored energy beams streaked towards their targets. The Targeted Hive took the impact on the chin, and was immediately pierced through and through. Hull integrity buckled from bulkheads now burned to a cinder. Splitting in half down the length of the ship, the Hive met its end. Behind and above the Hive, the targeted cruiser faired little better. On its path through the cruiser, the beam neatly struck the onboard power generator. As it went critical, the generator overloaded entirely. Its death rattle consumed the hull of the cruiser wholly.

On cue, Ares and Athena dropped their cloaks. Drones sprang from within their hulls, racing towards the two separate groups of two cruisers targeted by each Tauri vessel. Instead of waiting for these weapons to strike before pursuing other offensive action, each Athena opened up with its own Grodin and plasma beam weapon. Lancing out like a bolt of lightning from an especially angry god, one more Hive and two cruisers were felled before realizing just how dire this situation had become. Secondary explosions and burning hull fragments formed into a quickly expanding debris field. Before it could expand far through, the Drone salvos launched impacted their targets, adding a further four cruisers to the death toll.

The twenty-eight Darts that had exited into space before their carrying sh.i.p.s destruction formed up into a ragged formation. Accelerating to as fast as their propulsion could carry them, they chased after the Traveler ship now slipping out of range to catch. Behind them, Hala pressed forward and fired again with her dual Grodin's. The final two cruisers in her path were struck, and their now dying hulks drifted into one another before breaking apart and joining the growing debris field.

Despite their incredible speeds, the Darts were doomed. Having struck the mother sh.i.p.s, the 302's had once again cloaked and moved to cover the retreat of the Traveler ship. It was into this unseen wall of ordinance-derived retribution that they slammed into. Where there had been nothing but empty space now was filled with the sleek and agile Tauri interceptors. In typical fighter pilot fashion where overkill is best, each F-302 let loose a single AMRAAM apiece. Twenty-five of the oncoming Darts were blotted from existence scarcely before they could react; the attack had been so sudden and unexpected. Five seconds later, those lucky enough to have survived the initial onslaught joined the fate of the others.

Not to be deterred by the success of the attack, Sheppard pushed forward. Instead of using the powerful long-range weapons he had at his disposal, he ordered Ares to close on the lone remaining Hive. Her anti fighter energy turrets went into rapid fire, and lashed out at the Hive. Passing underneath, Ares tore the tender underbelly out of the once fearsome Wraith vessel. While intact, this Hive would require days if not weeks to heal before it would ever function again.

"Ares, this is Athena. Sensors show the remaining Hive is dead in the water. Power is fully offline, as are weapons, and life support. They are now breathing shallow." Eckhart said into the communication link.

"Copy that Athena." Sheppard replied.

"Colonel Sheppard, I stand ready to take the remaining Hive in tow." Thor added to the situational report.

"Whenever you're ready Thor." Sheppard replied.

Hala maneuvered towards the crippled Hive for the task at hand. This vessel's crew and commander would be provided to Todd. He was greatly looking forward to interrogating them at length. While watching Hala slid above the vessel, Sheppard seethed. Messy and brutal, this had not been a battle but an ambush. In less than three minutes, thousands of Wraith lay dead in space amid eleven destroyed vessels, and a lone crippled survivor. While the Wraith death toll was high, it did little to atone for the loss of the Leonidas and her crew. That debt would be paid over time though, Sheppard swore to himself.