Possara
Possaran Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
Under relentless Tau'ri assault, the Lucian Alliance fleet had fallen back to Possara. Their last refuge among the many stars of the Milky Way; it was here the Lucian Alliance would make their final stand. Before the Tau'ri had begun their fearsome march, those of the Lucian Alliance had viewed Possara as a place of hope, the birthplace of Lucian Alliance resurgence, and as home. Now, many viewed Possara with a jaded eye. Instead of seeing a place of home and hope, they now saw the potential graveyard of the Alliance. Those living on the world of Possara felt comfort in the knowledge that their mighty fleet was in orbit. Among many of that fleet, the question of how long remained before this world was incinerated remained unasked.
These troubled thoughts were a vulnerability. In many regards, the psychological battlefield was already one the Tau'ri had dominated, through vicious and decisive action. It was this vulnerability that the Ancient's chose to not only exploit, but exacerbate. In war, as in life, fear can be the most potent of weapons. Having suffered a similar fear, after being pushed back to their last standing city in the century long war against the Wraith, the Ancient's knew all too well how crippling the Lucian Alliance's current reality could be.
Over the three days and nights that followed receipt of the signal announcing the destruction of the Lucian Alliance prison camp, the Ancient's plied their cruel trade. Within hours of the detonation, ascended beings had poured into the Possaran solar system by the thousands. The first goal of this ascended horde was to prevent the enemy fleet's departure. Instead of using an outside force to accomplish this first goal, the ascended beings turned their efforts within. Working unseen, the force of militant ascended beings rendered the hyperdrives of all vessels present within the Possaran solar system nonfunctional, and beyond repair. To engineering crews aboard the many Lucian Alliance vessels, evidence of the Ancient's handiwork went unnoticed.
Once the covert portion of their task was complete, the ascended began their direct assault on the minds of the Lucian Alliance. Tormenting all within the Lucian Alliance fleet, the psychological battle unfolded. Visions of their coming demise flooded the minds of all within the fleet. When asleep, all found themselves assailed by horrific and surreal nightmares. When awake, an endless stream of hallucinations accompanied by the smells of death, were seen nonstop. In passageways, crew quarters, and work stations, the smell of rot, and decaying flesh filled the air. Each mind was systematically beaten down in an endless assaults on their thoughts, fears, and beliefs.
The Ancient's did this not for the sake of instilling fear in those aboard the Lucian Alliance fleet, but for the ramifications their actions brought. Systematically, those aboard the many vessels of the Lucian Alliance fleet were being mercilessly pummeled mentally, physically, and emotionally. Disrupted sleep patterns brought a host of problems. These manifested themselves in the form of impaired motor function, loss of coordination, stuporous behavior, anger control, compulsive behaviors, memory problems, confusion, and inattentiveness. Motor skills further diminished over time due to prolonged exposure to increased adrenal function. As deep exhaustion set in, hallucinations projected by the ascended gave way to hallucinations of each crew members own making. Of the thousands crewing the Lucian Alliance fleet, only Carlyle, Pollux and the other two Lucian Alliance soldiers who believed themselves to be Asgard remained unaffected, along with a single member of the Lucian Alliance; Cordry.
Before these events began, Ambassador Dorin of the Furling paid a discrete visit to Major Bobby Carlyle. Passing along a series of instructions, Dorin made clear what Carlyle needed to persuade Kefflin to do. These instructions, couched as suggestions, Carlyle delivered to Kefflin. Trusting fully in Carlyle's council, Kefflin quickly adopted these suggestions as his own.
For Carlyle, the coming battle meant a return to a life free of the constant strain his undercover posting carried. Throughout his military carrier, Carlyle had become acclimated to prolonged stress and strain, but his time within the Lucian Alliance had surpassed his expectations. A return to normalcy was needed, and thankfully, that return to normalcy was almost at hand.
Giving orders to his forces, Kefflin made certain his fleet stood well away from Possara. This, they did to protect the fleet from the fearsome Tau'ri planet killing weapon, and their attack craft that made use of that nightmarish weapon. To defend Possara, the fleets glider force patrolled the area around the Lucian Alliance's last world. Fully two-thirds of the total glider force was deployed at any one time. This rotational flight schedule provided maximum use of the gliders available, but took a hellish toll on individual flight crews. In short, the Lucian Alliance was eating its young, trading combat efficiency for combat presence in the short term.
To reinforce the continued need for gliders on constant patrol in large numbers, both Earth and the Asgard provided incentive. At random intervals, beginning on the second day, individual vessels of the Asgard Fleet began appearing at random intervals. After firing a single shot at the Lucian Alliance fleet, these lone Asgard vessels would depart into hyperspace. On the third day, B-3 Chimera's, began appearing at similarly random intervals. Upon exit from hyperspace, these Chimera's would launch a single anti-ship missile, before making their escape.
What the Lucian Alliance did not see, due to stress, strain, and exhaustion was the overall pattern these attacks took. Counting themselves lucky to have not lost a vessel yet to these ceaseless hit and run attacks, Kefflin and his followers overlooked the fact that vessels were being weakened on the periphery of the fleet in three sectors.
Out Possaran Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
Over a period of twelve hours, major elements of Earth's Fleet slipped into the Possaran solar system, unnoticed. On the outer edge of the solar system, at four separate locations, teams of two Prometheus Class carriers sat, accompanied by escorting Improved Daedalus Class vessels. These carriers, biding their time, stood ready to deploy their F-302's, FB-302's, and unmanned combat air vehicles. Limited numbers of these small craft patrolled, under cloak, in a standing barrier combat air patrol.
Deep within the Possaran system, three million miles from the Lucian Alliance fleet, a battle line of eighteen Athena Class heavy cruisers sat stationary, also under cloak. Aboard these Athena's were dignitaries of Alba Longa, Hebridan, Langara, and Tagrea. These dignitaries were present to bear witness to the coming destruction of the Lucian Alliance. Each civilization had, in some way, been touched by the Lucian Alliance, and each would watch its demise.
Further in, laying back four hundred and fifty thousand miles from the main body of the Lucian Alliance fleet, three distinct Tau'ri task forces waited, unseen, for the word to go. In close, vessels of the Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class patrolled the periphery of the enemy fleet, waiting to pounce on any Ha'tak that might attempt to flee. Though these near in combatants could attack while cloaked, their orders prohibited such action.
What was to come, would be the culminating battle in this war. This would be Earth's chance to right a wrong, and exact a terrible toll on the enemy of peace in this galaxy. This battle to come would be a furious one, and an end of an era. This would bring an end to a war begun years before. Through this final inferno of death and destruction, the galaxy at large, and Earth in particular, could begin the process of healing. Before that could happen, the Lucian Alliance needed to die. That required fireworks. Those fireworks would soon begin.
Due to the Ancient's efforts making an escape through hyperspace impossible, through subterfuge instead of through use of Earth's Attero II array, an interesting number of possibilities were opened for Earth. These possibilities included the use of hyperspace travel as a key component of Earth's plan. In battle, be it land warfare or space warfare, maneuver is key. Without the ability to maneuver, defeat is almost certain. Like the fighter pilot axiom of old, speed is life, and the same applied for mobility as well.
While what was coming for Possara was more than capable of handling itself against almost any conceivable threat, the presence of thousands of gliders could slow down the oncoming assets timetable. The plan for thins to come hinged on timing. This timing involved the removal of the glider force, before the expected arrival of these oncoming assets. Once those assets were on scene, ADCAP Daedalus Class vessels patrolling the periphery of the Lucian Alliance fleet, between Possara and that fleet, needed to be out of the line of fire. Further out, a third onrushing asset further complicated the timing equation.
Two hundred and twelve miles from the outer edge of the swarming mass of the glider patrol force, standing between Possara and the Lucian Alliance fleet, three hundred small hyperspace windows tore open the fabric of space. Operation Leviathan March had begun. From these windows, three hundred F-302's emerged. Slung beneath each of these lethal fighters, were two metallic pods, attached to external hard points. These metallic pods were one of Earth's newer weapons; the Contested Airspace Dominance System.
Following the final battles against the Wraith, international partners who had participated in both battles conducted a far reaching after action study. In this study, the performance of the F-302 was scrutinized closely. One thing that became abundantly clear from studying this review, was a weakness of the F-302 when confronting an enemy able to deploy similar platforms in the numbers Wraith forces had made use of. One of the F-302's main strengths, was its primary reliance on missile based weaponry. Instead of a major redesign being undertaken, to enhance the missile carrying capacity of the F-302, another method was employed. The result of this method being adopted was the Contested Airspace Dominance System, or CADS.
Due to the highly networked systems used by Earth's military forces, each of the three hundred F-302's had a highly accurate picture of their target, before their entry to hyperspace. This complex networking, exchanging data freely with all platforms across the fleet, made the conduct of offensive counter air a much simplified affair. Networking, advanced weapons, and training were the key components that made a direct assault on five thousand seven hundred gliders by three hundred F-302's possible.
Upon exit from hyperspace, each of the three hundred F-302's raced in formation towards their target at four miles per second. At this rate of closure, the offensive counter air strike would collide abeam of the glider force in fifty-three seconds. Acting as one, each attacking craft loosed two Contested Air Dominance System pods apiece. Magnetic pulses propelled each CADS pod away from the launching F-302 hard aboard each CADS pod, primed before launch, selected individual target areas. Forming a network of their own, while networking battle net sensor data, each CADS pod avoided targeting gliders already targeted.
Dropping away from their launching craft, each of the six hundred CADS went active. Propulsion systems, the very same used by anti-ship missiles, activated. A second later, each raced towards the gliders. Accelerating quickly, each CADS pod began to maneuver. These maneuvers were driven by selected targeting decisions already reached. Fired from abeam of the targeted glider swarm, each exhausted glider pilot was unaware of their rapidly approaching demise.
Greatly outpacing their launching craft, each CADS pod prepared itself to serve its designed purpose. Magnetic interlocks reversed their polarity, and ejected each pod's four panel outer housing, leaving internally carried weapons free to launch unimpeded. These weapons, numbering seven per pod, and mounted in recessed trays around the body of each CADS pod, were examples of the Cuda hit to kill missile. Each the four thousand two hundred Cuda's was assigned an individual glider as its target. Larger groups of gliders, clustered closely together, were reserved for the each of the six hundred CADS pods.
Opening fire, each CADS pod rippled fired its seven Cuda's, releasing their lethal cargo. Like a swarm of angry locusts, the writhing cloud of Cuda hit to kill missiles raced towards their targets. Due to the proximity from where they were released, each weapon had little distance to cover. Tracking targets throughout the incredibly large formation of gliders, the cloud of lethal kamikaze's dispersed.
Those nearest the glider swarm bypassed targets at the outer edge of formation. Deftly avoiding gliders in their path, the leading Cuda's streaked to the far edge of the glider formation. As they passed, thoroughly exhausted pilots began to take notice. This awakening came too late to save them.
Around the far edge of the formation, hit to kill missiles collided bodily with gliders. Though diminutive in size, each high velocity missile delivered death through kinetic impact. Panicked communications chatter throughout the glider formation was quickly followed by frantic attempts to maneuver clear. In certain instances, gliders maneuvering clear collided with other gliders attempting to do the same, resulting in the destruction of both. The debris of these glider on glider collisions spread, which still other gliders collided with, resulting in further death and destruction. In a span of twenty-seconds, gliders fell throughout the formation. Debris and torn bodies filled empty space, serving as the grave marker for Lucian Alliance pilots.
Though thousands of gliders met their end in the initial downpour of hit to kill missiles, several thousand remained unscathed. Grouping together, believing safety in numbers might provide salvation, glider's flew for their lives. CADS pods, their weapons expended, closed in on these groups of gliders. Energy buffers aboard each CADS pod initiated overload. Charging towards these glider groups, each energy buffer aboard the many CADS pods reached critical overload, and detonated violently. Debris from these detonations tore through the delicate fuselages of many gliders, adding to the death toll. Still, a number of gliders survived, but their time was dwindling. F-302's, opening internal weapons bays, launched three of their ten missiles apiece. These missiles finished what remained of the gliders tasked with guarding Possara. This event was not so much a battle, as it was an execution. Their mission complete, each of the three hundred F-302's altered course, and assumed their next responsibility.
The focus of that responsibility arrived seconds later. Nineteen thousand miles from the upper reaches of Possara's atmosphere, two massive hyperspace windows tore open the fabric of space. From these, two ZPM powered Hive ships emerged. From side mounted weapons batteries on each Hive, furious blue bolts of destructive weapons fire began to rain down on Possara. Each of these bolts were targeted on uninhabited areas ringing Possara's lone city.
From within each Hive, Darts emerged in a swarm. Several hundred of these joined formation with the already present F-302's, to stand guard over both Hives. Many hundreds of the remaining Darts angled towards the Possaran atmosphere, and began their descent. As each Dart sliced through the upper reaches of Possara's atmosphere, they poured weapons fire of their own onto the landscape below.
On the bridge of his flagship, Todd, leader of the Hybrid civilization, watched his forces take action. Over the many thousands of years Todd had lived, he had participated in, and commanded many battles. For the first time, Todd found himself in a battle not for survival, but one he could enjoy.
"I do not miss the need to feed on humans, but I did miss their screams of fright. I do pity this enemy, in a way. If the Ancient's had possessed one-tenth the bloodlust and thirst for vengeance that those from Earth have, none of us might be sitting here today." Todd said more to himself than anyone.
Across the Possaran landscape, a wailing noise from the heavens above resounded. This wail provided the soundtrack to the horrors unfolding near Possara's lone city. Weapons fire from orbit, continued to rain down on the countryside. Fierce forest fires raged, lit from this weapons fire. Join this was weapons fire from the source of the pitched wail; Darts.
As Darts pulled out of their dive, the wailing ceased. Aboard each, culling beams activated. These beams, passing over humans running in panic, allowed the Hybrid piloted small craft to effortlessly abduct these humans. Though they were culling large numbers of humans present on Possara, the Darts were unable to grab them all. Wraith culling practices had always revolved around grabbing small numbers, only what was needed. They were unequipped and untrained to cull the entire population of a planet. To assist in the culling, panic had been sown in the human inhabitants. This panic and fear caused these inhabitants to run for their lives, allowing Darts to more easily expand their numbers of captured humans. For fifteen fearsome minutes, this scene played out.
Despite the massive effort each Hybrid pilot put forth, not all inhabitants of Possara were whisked away. Instead, just over half were culled. A signal, received from elsewhere in the solar system, brought about the rapid departure of all Darts from Possara.
Kefflin's Mothership
Possaran Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
While the spectral hand of death visited itself upon the Lucian Alliance glider force, Major Bobby Carlyle was making moves of his own. Fully aware of what was coming, Carlyle knew he had a part to play in the coming battle. Just one man, he knew what needed to happen was beyond the ability of just one man. Making his way to the crew quarters level of the Mothership, Carlyle steeled himself for the most dangerous portion of his mission to date.
Stepping through the sealed hatchway of quarters Carlyle knew well, he took in the sight before him. Seated on the sleeping platform was Cordry. On Cordry's face was a forlorn look. In Cordry's eyes, Carlyle could see a man who knew what fate had in store. Bringing his eyes to Carlyle's, a slight glimmer of hope shone through the despair. It was this glimmer of hope Carlyle depended on. Carlyle knew if his plan was to succeed, he must stoke Cordry's glimmer of hope into an inferno of resolve.
"Have you come to tell me the hour of our death is at hand?" Cordry asked weakly.
"Do you value your life? Do you value your life above your loyalty to the Lucian Alliance?" Carlyle asked in response.
"My loyalty is to you. I owe the Alliance nothing." Cordry answered.
"Do you want to live?" Carlyle questioned.
"Yes!" Cordry proclaimed, as the first vestiges of hope and defiance took root.
"When the time comes, I need to know you are prepared to do what is necessary. If you ever trusted me, then trust me now. We either work together, and both survive, or we both die." Carlyle stated.
"Whatever it is, I will do it. I owe you my life, and place it at your disposal."
Over the next ten minutes, Carlyle quickly outlined what needed to be done. Listening intently, Cordry silently thanked fate for putting Carlyle in his path. This opportunity meant many things for Cordry, from revenge to redemption. Most importantly, this opportunity offered the chance for survival, while evening the score. When done, both men departed for another portion of the ship. They departed not as individuals, but as a team. That team now had a mission.
Externally, the Lucian Alliance fleet opened up the long closed floodgates of weapons fire. Though distant, the fleet poured incredible amounts of destructive energy weapons fire into space. These energy bolts, crossing the gulf between the Lucian Alliance fleet and the two Hives in stationary orbit above Possara, lashed out not only at the two newly arrived vessels, but at Possara itself. Frighteningly, in the eyes of bridge crew aboard Lucian Alliance Ha'tak's, these Hives effortlessly shrugged off this weapons fire as if it was not there.
Believing that this situation could not get any more dire, these bridge crews were horrified to see a third hyperspace window open seventy-thousand miles from Possara.
Possaran Orbit
Possaran Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
Seventy-thousand miles from Possara's upper atmosphere, the fabric of space parted. From this hyperspace window, two vessels emerged. Andromeda Clipper returned to normal space, at the destination marking a successful escape. Tucked in closely underneath Andromeda Clipper, the diminutive form of USS Crossbow, enveloped by protective shields, was also present.
For a brief moment, those standing on the bridge of Andromeda Clipper rejoiced at the sight of Possara before them. This celebration was short lived. Unfortunately for Andromeda Clipper, and those aboard her, the ship and her occupants returned to normal space within the line of fire being spewed by the distant Lucan Alliance fleet. This unfortunate circumstance brought a change in the mission of USS Crossbow, but not a large enough change to assuage the consciences of the United States Air Force crew.
Caught within the maelstrom of Ha'tak weapons fire, Andromeda Clipper's fate was certain. Impacting with the propulsion suit of the Tau'ri vessel, each lethal energy bolt sheered through critical systems. Outer hull plating buckled and failed. Sub-light engines consumed themselves as they detonated, taking with the Andromeda Clipper's deceleration drive. Hatchways throughout the vessel slammed shut, as atmosphere vented and sirens blared. Safeguards built into Andromeda Clipper's onboard reactors initiated, rendering all systems aboard powerless.
Beneath Andromeda Clipper, USS Crossbow shifted onboard tractor beams from standby to active. Each of these four beams latched onto the now crippled cargo ships outer hull. Powerful sub-light engines aboard Crossbow fired, accelerating the two ships rapidly. Aboard Crossbow, computers quickly ascertained optimum release position. Powering forward, towards Possara itself, both vessels raced. Lacking power, propulsion, or understanding, Andromeda Clipper and her crew had zero say in their fate.
At a rate of fifteen hundred miles per second, the two vessels charged forward. Minor course corrections by Crossbow's crew insured the proper flight path. To those standing on the bridge of Andromeda Clipper, their fate was clear. Passing into low Possaran orbit, Crossbow released her tractor beam hold on Andromeda Clipper. Altering course, Crossbow's crew watched with regret as the Earth built cargo vessel lanced towards Possara ballistically.
Slicing into the planet's upper atmosphere, heat and friction built across Andromeda Clipper's unshielded hull. Hull plating, damaged by Lucian Alliance weapons fire, tore away. Like a meteor, she plunged from the heavens. Those aboard were spared a hellish ride to the end. Loss of power to inertial dampeners resulted in all aboard being tossed about by intense gravitational loads, killing all aboard. Those who perished had hoped for nothing more than an escape to Possara. That hope had been achieved, and each Lucian Alliance operative died within Possara's atmosphere.
On the ground below, in Possara's lone city, those inhabitants who had managed to avoid the Hybrid culling effort, took note of the intense ball of fire plunging upon them. Thunderous sonic booms rolled across the Possaran countryside. Despite her sturdy construction, the hull of Andromeda Clipper continued to fail. Superheated plasma, built up around the plummeting vessels outer hull burned through, incinerating the interior of the lifeless ship.
Plunging towards the single Possaran city, the end neared. While incredibly fearsome weapons of mass destruction resided in the stockpiles of all sides in this war, every space faring race in the galaxy was one with such weapons at hand. Moving at subluminal speeds, a simple cargo vessel is a weapon of mass destruction waiting for a target.
At an altitude of eight thousand feet, the warped and charred hull of Andromeda Clipper snapped in two. In no way would this alter the outcome. Slamming bodily into the city center, immeasurable amounts of kinetic force rippled through Possara. In all directions, the ground rippled. Billions of tons of soil, rock, and manmade matter were hurled into the atmosphere. As the thermal pulse raced away from the point of impact, spontaneous ignition of plant and animal life occurred. Triggered by this extinction level event, volcanoes across the continent erupted, while horrific earthquakes levels the countryside left uncharred. This was not just destruction and devastation. This was the opening chorus of the Lucian Alliance death song.
Open Space
Possaran Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
The destruction of all remaining human life on Possara was a signal. That signal, meant for all vessels of Earth's fleet present within the Possaran solar system, was the event meant to mark the beginning of the second phase of Operation Leviathan March. Unlike the major fleet engagements fought against the Wraith, Earth was not on the defensive, but this time the aggressor. The meant a change of tactics was in order.
Instead of reliance on traditional tactics, a new operational concept would be employed in Leviathan March. This tactic was known as swarming. Swarming appears in the animal kingdom, as it has in war. Operationally, military swarming tactics cannot be modeled closely after swarming as it is seen in nature.
Two-forms of swarming seen in nature, hiving and nesting, are best exemplified by bees, ants, and other insects with social structure. These insects are known for employing blanketing tactics when away from the hive or nest, striking down their enemies from all directions. The goal is to overwhelm any defensive cohesion present.
What made swarming a truly workable tactic for Earth was the revolution in networking of all platforms present within a combat zone. That is not to say swarming had never made its mark in warfare on Earth. Examples of highly effective swarming tactics were seen in the ancient world, used by Mongols, Parthians, Byzantines, and Athenians. In recent history, swarming was used to great effect during the Battle of Britain.
Earth's current swarming doctrine hinged on two requirements. First, each unit acting as a portion of the swarm, was required to be tightly integrated with other units. This allows for the swarm as a whole, to strike at an adversary from all directions. The second requirement revolved around dual use of sensor data. Units participating in the swarm must not solely focus on strike operations, but also play a role as a sensory observation tool, to better provide situational awareness to all level of combatants. The end goal of swarming is to disrupt, at every level, defensive cohesion of an enemy, aiding in the physical destruction of said enemy.
At three points around the body of the Lucian Alliance fleet, three cloaked task forces of Earth's fleet sat. Upon seeing the extinction level event on Possara, these vessels engaged their sub-light drives, powering towards the enemy fleet before them. At the head of each of the three task forces was one of the three Ascension Class heavy combatants. Ascension, Equinox, and Neil Armstrong would lead the way. Trailing each of the Ascension Class were follow on combatants, of the Athena Class.
Sixty-three vessels against nearly three hundred could easily be considered a David and Goliath style contest. What made this possible, was earth's marked technologic advantage, and the presence of further combatants around the enemy battle fleet. Aboard each of the sixty-three vessels, weapons were powered, and Arcturus power generation systems were brought to full power. Each of the three task forces, powering towards three separate points of the Lucian Alliance fleet, were ready for battle. This battle was one all yearned for. Finally, the enemy who had visited death upon civilians of Earth would know brutal and final justice.
From around the periphery of the Lucian Alliance fleet, sixteen ADCAP Daedalus Class vessels opened fire. From vertical launch cells, each launched five anti-ship missiles. These anti-ship missiles, unlike those previously launched against the Lucian Alliance, were not conventionally armed. Each of these were affixed with warheads developed during the closing days of the Cold War. Clearing their launch cells, each nuclear tipped anti-ship missile tipped over, and raced away from its launching vessel. As each passed through the outer cloaking field that allowed vessels of the ADCAP Daedalus Class to fire while cloaked, they became visible to all. Crossing the short distance to their eighty separate targets, each primed its fifty kiloton warhead for detonation.
Sensing the presence of defensive shielding systems, each anti-ship missile passed out of phase. Using this advantage, each missile effortlessly bypassed the separate Ha'tak shielding systems standing between them and their target. Due to the near proximity launch, little to no warning was had of the incoming assault. Seconds after bypassing defensive shielding, each missile, now returned to phase, slammed bodily with each targeted Ha'tak. Reinforced for the purpose, each missile burrowed deeply into each vessels stout hull.
Detonating almost in unison, seventy-nine Ha'tak's met their end, eviscerated by nuclear fire. In the case of the eightieth, the warhead failed to detonate, and instead scattered highly radioactive weapons grade material throughout the hull of its victim. Ha'tak's shattered, as wreckage was propelled away from the sight of detonation in all directions. These areas of destruction shone in the darkness of space as beacons of death, basked in light, heat, and radiation. Wreckage from the now destroy vessels, propelled at incredible speed by the detonation itself, slammed into nearby Ha'tak's. Goa'uld designed shields flared under the assault. In this opening strike, the Lucian Alliance lost nearly one-third of its total fleet strength.
Use of tactical nuclear weapons announced for all that the game was afoot. Seventy-nine separate detonations brought with them the cessation of all the circling predators of the ADCAP Daedalus Class, sixteen vessels of the CrossbowClass powered down their cloaks, and raised shields quickly. All three oncoming task forces matched this move. Vessels of both types began to pour crippling amounts of energy weapons fire into the body of the Lucian Alliance fleet.
Thoroughly exhausted, the sudden detonations around the fleet periphery caught a majority of bridge crews aboard Ha'tak's off guard. Shocked, it took each valuable seconds to mount a response of their own. From energy weapons of their own, the Lucian Alliance responded in kind. Golden bolts of energy weapons fire flew in all directions. In the distance, the battle line of Athena's carrying foreign delegates added to this frenzy of fire with Grodin fire, as they repositioned themselves to serve as a ready reserve force.
From three points at the periphery of the Lucian Alliance fleet, each of the three onrushing task forces joined the fight. Ascension and her sisters let loose their main weapons, hurling intense beams of ionic particle cannon fire towards Ha'tak's nearest them. To this, each Ascension opened fire with their four onboard Grodin batteries. Energy weapons fire raced in all directions, as Ancient designed drone weapons began to launch.
Behind each task force, long streams holding hundreds of UCAV's poured in. Armed with anti-ship missiles of their own, the fleet air arm joined the fight. These nimble UCAV's, armed with weaponry able to pass effortlessly through Ha'tak shielding, added another dimension to the Tau'ri fight. This new dimension represented the largest carrier launched alpha strike in history. While they stung targets, UCAV's fell as well.
Charging forward, the Tau'ri juggernaut of Ascension led strike groups hurled itself bodily into the Lucian Alliance fleet. Like a cleaver through meat, each strike group viciously ripped through the outer fleet, leaving nothing but carnage in their wake. Each of the leading Ascension Class vessels had an end target, and that target was Kefflin's flagship at the center of the Lucian Alliance space, energy weapons fire and Ancient drones crisscrossed. Shields on both sides flared under the assault.
As each strike group lanced through the outer ranks of the Lucian Alliance fleet, trailing Athena's spread out both to port and starboard. Holding nothing back, each heavy cruiser unleashed the full devastating capability of it's onboard weapons suites. Grodin, Asgard plasma beam, Ancient drone, and anti-fighter weapons fire filled space. Ha'tak's, realizing the improbability of destroying the three Ascension's, focused the full force of their rage and fury upon the collection of Athena's.
In the face of a fully unrestrained Tau'ri assault, Ha'tak's fell in dozens. Some of these were destroyed outright, while others were rendered inoperable, with crews trapped aboard vessels with failing or inoperable life support. Realizing teamwork held their only chance for survival, closely clustered groups of Ha'tak's began concentrating their combined weapons fire on individual Athena's. As a result, three Athena's found themselves overwhelmed, as shields failed. These three Tau'ri vessels joined the rapidly climbing death tally. Despite this momentary success, surviving Ha'tak crews knew only a miracle could save their lives in this most lopsided of battles. Each violent detonation of now destroyed vessels served as the only grave marker for the dead of two civilizations.
Kefflin's Mothership
In Battle
Five levels below the bridge, Carlyle and Cordry entered an auxiliary communications room. Seated within this room was Pollux and his two coconspirators who believed themselves to be Asgard. The auxiliary communications compartment was the designated meeting site chosen weeks earlier by Carlyle.
"Its time." Carlyle announced.
"Who are these men?" Cordry asked, pointing at Pollux and his followers.
"They are with us." Carlyle clarified.
"Pollux, I want you and your men to accompany Cordry. Secure the power distribution relay for this vessels weapons suite." Carlyle instructed.
"Where are you going?" Pollux inquired.
"I'm going after Kefflin." Carlyle replied simply.
Standing on the bridge, Kefflin orchestrated the Lucian Alliance defense as best he could. Certain of his control, he totally ignored the inconvenient fact that control over the chaos of this current battle was all but impossible. Putting forth an incredible effort, Kefflin labored to ignore the unwanted visitor also present on the flagship's bridge. Dorin, seated in Kefflin's plush command chair, was enjoying his task of taunting the leader of the Lucian Alliance.
"How many of your fleet have been destroyed to this point?" Dorin asked humorously.
"Not nearly enough for the Tau'ri to declare victory. Tell me, how many of your precious Tau'ri have perished? You can add their number to the tally of millions who died on Earth at my order." Kefflin said with a cruel smile.
"The hour of your demise is at hand." Dorin warned.
"What makes you think I fear that?" Kefflin questioned.
"All who lust for power fear that which they have no power over." Dorin pointed out.
"Thank you for making clear that the ascended do not know all." Kefflin responded dismissively.
Ignoring Dorin for the moment, sure that he had finally silenced the irksome ascended being, Kefflin moved to a communications terminal. Tapping in a series of rapid fire commands, he accessed a message previously stored in the communications database. With a final keystroke, Kefflin transmitted his chosen message. This message, destined for Worrel, contained his final instructions. Worrel, given the task of enacting Kefflin's failsafe plan, would make sure Kefflin's will was carried out soon.
"Is the main weapon online?" Kefflin questioned.
"It is." A weapons technician responded quickly.
"Target the nearest Tau'ri warship, and open fire." Kefflin ordered.
"A number of our vessels are in the line of fire." The weapons technician countered.
"Then shoot through them." Kefflin ordered dispassionately.
Mortified, the weapons technician carried out his given order. The main weapons suite, already powered and primed, only needed a target. Access to greatly enhanced power generation capabilities brought with it a change to the original mothership design. Unlike versions built by Anubis, Kefflin's flagship did not make use of top and bottom mounted main weapons. Instead, each of the protruding arms ringing the inner hull, were powerful energy cannons. Each of these power hungry weapons was equipped with a subspace capacitor of its own, and interlinked to others aboard the flagship.
Waves of energy shimmered and rippled over the two cannons to be used. Twisting ribbons of electrical discharge produced plasma pulsed between each of the two cannons. Given their firing sequence seconds earlier, energy buffers in both cannons rapidly absorbed incredible amount of energy from each of the subspace capacitors built into the flagship. Fully automated, nothing could stop the firing sequence now, short of destruction of the flagship itself.
In a frightening display, both cannons discharged their fearsome beams of destructive energy weapons fire. Racing away from the flag ship at incredible speed, two magenta tinted beams lanced out at the two Ha'tak's standing between Kefflin's flagship, and the Tau'ri vessel beyond. Defensive shielding protecting both Ha'tak's did nothing to slow the progress of either beam. In a flash, both Lucian Alliance combatants were shredded by weapons fire, and internal explosions caused from the beam strike.
While wreckage raced in all directions from the destruction of both Ha'tak's, the automated firing sequence, already primed, fired again. Once more, two magenta tinted energy beams lanced out, towards their target. Passing through the debris field of the now dead Ha'tak's, each beam destroyed chunks of debris large and small. Their passage unhindered, both beams continued the short distance to their end target, a Tau'ri Athena Class vessel.
Equipped with defensive shielding systems far outmatching the now dead Ha'tak's, USS Java Sea was more than a match for any Lucian Alliance combatant present, except Kefflin's flagship. Struck by both magenta tinted energy beams, Java Sea's strained under the assault. Unrelenting, the continued assault cased Java Sea's shields to waver momentarily, before collapsing altogether. Unshielded, Java Sea's hull shredded in seconds. Weapons suites aboard the Tau'ri warship detonated, as systems failed across the ship. In under a second, Java Sea detonated from within. Her end came so quickly, that few of the crew had time to realize death was at their door.
In the distance, through the debris field marking the outer edge of the combat area, Todd's two ZPM enhanced Hives were on the move. Possara was no longer their concern, as it was now a charred firestorm of death and destruction. This left Todd free to shift his focus elsewhere.
Though Earth's fleet was slicing through the Lucian Alliance fleet like a scythe through wheat, they were taking losses. Each vessel lost by Earth slowed down the progress of the whole. Todd counted Earth as a valuable ally, and that ally needed his help. Driving headlong into the cluttered debris field, through remains of warships destroyed, both Hives moved with speed and purpose, with ejecta bouncing off the stout biopolymer outer hulls. To the starboard side of Todd's flagship, three Ha'tak's huddled together, within a whirlpool of debris.
Todd's flagship was a far different ship than it had been during the last battle of Pegasus. Over the time that had passed since that battle, the Hives modified by Harbinger that had fallen into Todd's hands had been studied closely. Improvements and innovations found on these captured Hives, over a year long process, had been introduced to all other ships in the Hybrid fleet. One of these additions was perfect for the situation Todd faced.
Following Todd's given order, power flowed into arrays ringing the starboard weapons batteries. These arrays, rapidly absorbing power channeled to them, took on a faint blue glow. This glow grew in intensity. Fully charged, the starboard arrays discharged a solid curtain of energy. Debris impacted by this curtain shattered. Coming into contact with the minimal shielding of the three damaged Ha'tak's, this curtain of energy overwhelmed Lucian Alliance shields. Continuing on, colliding into the hulls of each Ha'tak, the curtain dissipated. Each of these three Ha'tak's, overcome by shock damage and hull damage, were now fully out of the fight.
From there, Todd and his two Hives, continued their drive towards the center of the Lucian Alliance fleet.
USS Ascension
In Battle
Milky Way Galaxy
Like her sisters, Ascension continued to prosecute this battle to the maximum extent possible. Since leading the charge into this section of the main body of the Lucian Alliance fleet, dozens of Ha'tak's had met their end at the receiving end of Ascension's main weapons. For Ha'tak's, even the markedly upgraded Ha'tak's used by the Lucian Alliance, Ascension and her sisters were a virtually unstoppable force. On the bridge, Ascension's crew was fully engrossed in the fight at hand.
"Sir, Java Sea is gone!" A sensor operator called out.
"How?" Brigadier General Aaron Eckart asked quickly.
"The Lucian Alliance flagship fired on her. She went up like a firecracker." The sensor operator explained, in numb shock.
"Signal all Athena's to release every drone they have, and pull back. I want Equinox and Neil Armstrong to push forward on the flagship with us." Eckhart ordered.
"Equinox is bogged down in her sector, and Neil Armstrong is assisting two damaged Athena's trying to pull back." A communications officer announced.
For a moment, Eckhart managed to focus not on these matters, but on a possible solution. The entire battle plan of Leviathan March hinged on seizing the initiative, and retaining the initiative once in hand. Something needed to be done, or things could quickly spiral out of control. If the Lucian Alliance flagship was able to destroy an Athena with ease, then it was very possible her defenses might prove problematic for a single Ascension. This called for drastic action.
"Weapons officer, bring Hellstorm online." Eckhart ordered.
Hellstorm could be judged as the single most destructive weapon aboard Ascension, and of any other vessel in Earth's fleet. While Hellstorm had performed admirably in tests, it was a weapons system that had never seen combat. An element of uncertainty existed here.
"Sir?" The weapons officer questioned.
"Bring Hellstorm online, now. Don't think about it, just do it." Eckhart instructed patiently.
Appearing on the bridge, the avatar of Ascension's artificial intelligence came into view. The order to activate Hellstorm could be given by Ascension's crew, but control of the weapons system itself rested solely in the hands of the artificial intelligence.
"Commander, Hellstorm activating now." The avatar of Ascension confirmed.
Along the smooth polished bottom of Ascension's hull, hull plating retracted into the hull along the centerline. Splitting, each hull section retracted parted. From within the hull, circular barrel sections lowered. Once locked into place, these sections extended towards other sections, linking together, before locking in place. At the tail end of this three quarter mile long barrel, an L shaped section connected to the barrel, and angled up, into Ascension's interior.
In a sealed chamber, designed for the purpose, a choreographed series of actions began. Within this sealed chamber, a closed loop beaming system transported a shoebox sized module, complete with an independent power source, into place at the center of the oval shaped chamber. Further beaming took place a second later. From reservoirs deep within Ascension's bowels, tungsten based nanites were beamed into the oval shaped chamber. Filling the chamber, these nanites, engineered for their task, began to interlock with other nearby nano machines. Ten-seconds later, the interlocking liquid form of nanites solidified into a four thousand pound tungsten slug. Splitting in two, along center seams, the oval shaped chamber parted, allowing the now formed slug to be lowered into the barrel below. Automated systems broadcast an alert to all fleet forces, instructing them to clear the area in anticipation of Hellstorm's first combat use.
"Hellstorm is armed. Targeting enemy flagship, center mass." Ascension announced.
"Shift target to flagship outer arms. An asset of ours is aboard that ship. We shoot to disable. Take out its weapons, then we move in." Eckhart countered.
"Understood commander. A shot fired at ten percent total power, even if targeted on hull extensions, presents a fifteen percent chance of critical hull failure for the enemy motion analysis complete. Reducing Hellstorm power from maximum to one quarter. Awaiting confirmation of order to fire." Ascension's avatar stated.
"The order is given. Ten percent. Fire when ready." Eckhart instructed.
Though ready to fire in all onboard aspects, Ascension needed to maneuver for a clear shot. This period of maneuver allowed other vessels of Earth's fleet to remove themselves from the danger zone. Taking control of all systems, Ascension's integrated artificial intelligence assumed temporary control. Powerful sub-light thrusters fired, as the warship banked around the shattered remains of Lucian Alliance Ha'tak's.
This movement did not go unnoticed by the bridge crew of Kefflin's flagship. Their terrifying main weapon already online, locked onto the oncoming Tau'ri combatant. The overall design of the flagship's weapons system made targeting a cumbersome affair. Firing twice, as Ascension maneuvered around wreckage, the flagship's bridge crew was dismayed at their near miss.
Ascension, clear of the wreckage blocking her shot, brought her pointed beak around, pointing it directly at the flagship. This was the moment bridge crew aboard the flagship had been waiting for. Now was their chance, and that chance would not be left unexploited. Giving the order to fire once more, the bridge crew waited for the certain destruction of their would-be attacker.
From two arms of the massive flagship, terrifying beams of magenta tinted weapons fire lashed out. Crossing the gulf in the blink of an eye, both beams slammed directly into Ascension's conformal shielding. Like an unstoppable object striking an immovable object, a magenta tinted aurora shrouded the Tau'ri vessels flaring shields. Behind this spectacle of light, Ascension fell from view. For a brief moment, bridge crew aboard the flagship believed their would-be attacker felled. Seconds later, as Ascension returned to view, this momentary celebration turned to shock and disbelief.
At that moment, Ascension's artificial intelligence unleashed Hellstorm. Staggering amounts of energy, channeled from Ascension's Arcturus reactor, funneling into Hellstorm. Intense opposing magnetic fields built up at the base of this largest of rail-guns. From a stop, the nanite constructed tungsten round accelerated to incomprehensible velocity. As the round traveled down the barrel, nitrogen purged into sections of barrel already traveled. This nitrogen, used to cool Hellstorm's inner workings, flashed to plasma, racing behind the now exiting round.
Moving at one-tenth the speed of light, nearly thirty-million meters per second, the four thousand pound round careened through space. The module embedded in the center of the round, monitored its own forward progress in millionths of a second at a time. Every three hundred meters traveled, the rounds control module updated its own calculations. Onward it traveled. Nearing the targeted flagship's defensive shields, the module activated its integrated phase shifting module, allowing the round to pass unhindered through shielding.
Targeted on the outer end of one of the flagship's outer arm cannons, the round, now returned to phase, impacted. Traveling at such incredible velocity, the four thousand round upon impact delivered eight hundred and fifteen petajoules of kinetic energy. This amount of kinetic energy was roughly equivalent to two hundred megatons of TNT. At the area of impact, hull plating flashed to plasma. Sheer force ripped the cannon free of the flagship's hull, which tore three other cannons from the hull. All aboard the flagship were knocked to their feet, as the mighty warship twisted and warped. Cracks in the central hull formed, allowing atmosphere to vent into space. Data crystals across the ship shattered, as passageways twisted. Systems failed ship wide, forever taking Kefflin's mightiest of warships forever out of the fight. Had the Hellstorm been targeted three feet nearer the central hull, the impact would have easily split open the entire vessel in one blow.
Seeing their flagship fall, the few dozen surviving Ha'tak's silenced their weapons. This battle was lost, if it had ever been winnable. Surrounded by the Tau'ri, and two menacing alien craft, each member of the Lucian Alliance still alive waited for the death that was sure to come.
Kefflin's Flagship
Milky Way Galaxy
En route to the bridge, Carlyle was ill-prepared for the arrival of Hellstorm. Toss down a passageway, Carlyle flew through the air. The passageway seemed to flex, twist, and warp. Emergency bulkheads attempted to slam shut, but were unable to do so, due to the now warped frame of the ship. What little lighting their was, came from emergency lanterns. Catching his breath, Carlyle raised himself to his feet. The world around him might be ending, but it would do so while he carried out his mission.
Racing through passageways, Carlyle took little note of wounded crew members that littered the deck. Everywhere he looked, bruised and bloody members of the Lucian Alliance lay. Finally, after three minutes that felt like hours, Carlyle arrived at the bridge. Here too, emergency bulkheads had tried in vain to snap shut. Looking through these partially open emergency doors, Carlyle took in his surroundings. From his vantage point, only two men remained standing on the bridge. One was Kefflin, and the other was a member of Kefflin's personal bodyguard. Thankfully, these two were not standing near one another.
Stepping through the partially open emergency bulkhead, Carlyle's hand went to the small of his back. There, on his belt, rested scout style affixed blade and sheath. Slowly, he withdrew the razor sharp knife. His target, with attentions focused elsewhere, failed to take note of Carlyle's approach. Coming up behind the bodyguard, with his left hand, Carlyle grabbed the bodyguard's under the jaw, pulling his body back. With his right hand, Carlyle drove the razor sharp blade directly into his targets liver. Choosing the liver was no accident. Not only would this be a fatal strike, but attacking the liver in such a manner ensured the bodyguard would not scream out a warning. Black blood flowed from the liver strike, as Carlyle quietly laid the dying man to the deck. Now, the only obstacle between him and his mission was surmounted.
From the corner of the bridge, emerging from shadows, two further bodyguards came into view. Having witnessed Carlyle's actions, both knew a threat existed on the bridge. Removing sidearms from thigh holsters, both leveled their weapons at Carlyle, without uttering a word. Before the duo could utter a single word, the unexpected happened. Carlyle was sure he was about to fail in his mission, at the cost of his own life. From the partially open emergency bulkhead, two Zat pulses rendered both onrushing bodyguards unconscious. Once more, fate had smiled upon Major Bobby Carlyle. Through the open passageway, both Cordry and Pollux came into view, their weapons at the ready.
Carlyle, reassured by the arrival of his men, shifted his focus to the form of Kefflin. The leader of the Lucian Alliance, standing silently, stared through a viewport into space. Not once did he move a single muscle. As much as Carlyle would love to kill this man, his orders came first. Blade in his hand, Carlyle began to slowly advance towards Kefflin. Only Kefflin breaking his silence halted Carlyle's advance. At that moment, Dorin appeared beside Carlyle.
"I have been waiting for the moment when you finally make your you think I really believe you will kill me, with your Earth born values?" Kefflin questioned aloud.
"So you know who I am?" Carlyle asked.
"I've know all along. You believed yourself so skilled in penetrating my inner circle, but I allowed you to do so. You danced to my tune." Kefflin said absently.
Stepping forward, Dorin turned to Carlyle, giving him an understanding look. Turning on his heels, the ascended Ambassador of the Furling approached Kefflin. Having heard the stories about Dorin's temper, Carlyle worried the ascended Furling might kill Kefflin outright.
"You are going to pay for what you've done. Did you honestly believe you could win?" Dorin inquired.
"I already have." Kefflin replied without malice.
"Look around. Your fleet is defeated. Your people, what few remain, lack a planet, or hope. The combined civilizations of this galaxy have united against you. I fail to see how this equals a win." Dorin scoffed.
"I did what no one else could. Earth considers itself above all others, and somehow better than all of us because they brought an end to the Goa'uld empire. This was never about winning. I knew the Lucian Alliance could never outmatch Earth in combat. That lesson was taught at the Battle of the Super Gate. What I have done, is forced Earth to show the galaxy what monsters they are, and brought them down into the muck, to my level. If you believe the people are not huddled in dark corners across this galaxy, speaking of Earth's destruction of entire worlds, you are a fool. In time, the entire galaxy will see them for what they are, with all of their false promises of safety and security for all. On that day, the galaxy will rise up against your precious Earth, and on that day, you will know I won." Kefflin lectured.
"That is a hopeful vision of the future, from a deluded man, drowning in the outcome of his failed life's work. Nothing more." Dorin replied dismissively.
"Know this; my vengeance will be felt after the cannons of this battle have fallen silent. That, I promise you." Kefflin taunted with a smile.
Elsewhere on the torn and tattered flagship, several sharp beaked Hybrid shuttles docked in a lifeless Tel'tak these, Hybrid soldiers and commanders disembarked. Joining them, Todd took his first steps aboard a Lucian Alliance vessel. Similar scenes played out across the battlefield, as Hybrid soldiers and commander secured each of the thirty surviving Ha'tak's. With Dorin's assistance, Cordry ordered each of these vessels to surrender peacefully.
Todd, led by a contingent of Hybrid soldiers, made his way to the flagship's bridge. Arriving minutes later, Todd found Kefflin, Carlyle, Dorin, Pollux, and Cordry. Ignoring all but Kefflin, Todd, with an object in his hand, walked towards Kefflin with purpose. Putting his long nailed hand on Kefflin's shoulder, Todd forced Kefflin to his knees. The object in his hand, Todd placed at the back of Kefflin's neck.
This object, biological in nature, quickly sprouted dozens of small tendril like arms. These, with minds of their own, burrowed into the flesh of Kefflin's neck, concentrating on areas around the vertebrae. Through the skin, each tendril tapped itself into Kefflin's nervous system. Under strain, Kefflin labored not to scream.
"Painful, is it not?" Todd asked jovially.
"What is that?" Carlyle asked.
"A collar. I'm taking possession of what was promised to me." Todd answered.
"Possession? Possession of what?" Carlyle asked.
"Him." Todd explained.
"Me?" Kefflin asked though the pain.
Starring deeply into Kefflin's eyes, with his unsettling amber colored cat eyes, Todd smiled.
"You and I are going to have fun. Decades of fun. I have always wanted a pet." Todd smiled evilly.
"What will become of those you culled?" Dorin questioned.
"They will be taken to the world we watch over, where the separatist Jaffa were exiled. It has come to our attention that the Jaffa there wish to voice their displeasure with the Lucian Alliance. That should prove entertaining to observe.
Cordry, filled with uncertainty, felt incredibly uncomfortable. His mind was filled with uncertainty. This uncertainty focused on what cruel fate awaited him. Pulling Carlyle aside, Cordry began to speak.
"What will happen to me?" Cordry asked nervously.
"You have helped in more ways than you know. I'm sure something can be arranged." Carlyle mused.
"This something won't involve becoming some monsters pet, will it? If so, do me the service of killing me now." Cordry somewhat pleaded.
"A home will be found for you, but it most probably will not be in this galaxy. I promise I will see to it that you are given your freedom, and a chance at a new life." Carlyle swore.
In response, Cordry cast aside his worry. He knew, all he could do now was place his trust in his friend. Nodding, Cordry showed that he understood.
Across the space surrounding Possara, wreckage and debris drifted lifelessly. On the planet itself, not a single living human remained. Possara, like her orbital plane, bore the scars of war. Even though the battle was won, the last shot in the war had yet to be fired. Some victories come at a cost, and the cost for this victory would be higher than any could imagine. What was to come would shake the Alliance of Five Great Races to their core. While the galaxy rejoiced at the destruction of the Lucian Alliance, during this time of celebration, Kefflin's last order would be carried out.