The Icarian Legacy Collected Edition: Brave Souls - First Strike (Volume 3)

by Kocho Trajchevski

  The virtual simulation was disengaged and the cryo sleep was total for everyone. It was needed because no one knew how long it will be until they were found. She and everyone knew that there was a real possibility that this trip will be endless.

  Without saying a word she entered her pod and several seconds later Commandant Eona joined the rest in their sleep.

  The last surviving members of a lost civilization were on their trip to eternity…

  Forty two ships silently sailed through the endless expanse between the two galaxies.

  They silently sailed towards the future.

  Chapter One

  It was five months since the day Atlantis returned home. Five months in which the constant work on the damaged section of the city continued.

  Woolsey watched as three puddle jumpers landed in the Jumper bay.

  The hangar that housed the jumpers was located at the very top of the city's central tower and it was the main transit area since the city returned to Earth.

  He shivered as he remembered that day and the battle with the wraith super hive. It was still fresh in his memory both it and the memory of how close Earth came to utter disaster.

  Woolsey knew that it was not the first time. Twice before alien armadas came close to destroying the world that was, in a way a beacon of light in a very dark galaxy. But neither the Goa’uld, nor the Ori represented a danger like the Wraith. And both of those factions were now gone.

  Not completely but they were neutralized enough that it was hard to believe that they could threaten Earth, or the galaxy for that matter again.

  But that was not the same with the Wraith. The enemy that was responsible for the great tragedy that was still happening in the Pegasus Galaxy was a very real threat, a threat that had to be answered.

  The massive hive ship was destroyed but the implications that it brought now served as a wakeup call for everyone on Earth. It brought home the real danger that the Wraith represented. And it brought several new nations in to the community of countries that knew of the Stargate program. That fact didn’t make some of the members of the IOA happy. But they had little choice considering that several darts and in the case with the Balkans a courier ship landed all over Earth. And it was hard to deny that they were not aliens considering the dreadful casualties suffered from the people that had to fight the warriors they carried.

  He smiled as he remembered who was coming with the last group. One of the countries that were new members was a small country that drove a hard bargain in order to keep the secret, and to give up the wraith ship that crushed there.

  He smiled as he thought of it. Macedonia. They couldn’t offer much but they were given access to the technology and to this city. That was the price the IOA and the SG command agreed to pay for their silence and for the ship that crash landed there.

  Macedonia provided personal both in the military forces that were part of the SGC and in the technical staff that was involved in the constant research inside Atlantis.

  He sighed.

  Atlantis was home. He knew that it was not going anywhere, at least not yet, but the city was a real treasure throw. There were still so many unexplored parts of it that could have hidden secrets, secrets that could be useful. Humanity needed every help it could get against the Wraith. And considering that the ancients fought them for a hundred years…

  He turned and took one last look on the Pacific Ocean. He remembered the long drag by submarines and ships as they were moved out from the San Francisco bay. Even today the city was kept under constant cloak and a fleet of ships cordoned the Area around it.

  “Well it’s time to get back to work.”

  He keyed the mike on his radio and contacted the gate room.

  “Major Sheppard we have new personal arriving in the hangar bay. Inform them of their duties. “

  “I’m already on it sir.”

  Woolsey smiled. It was tough at the beginning when he first took command of the expedition. But as time passed by he knew that he earned the respect from the colonel and the rest of the crew of Atlantis. And he knew that it was mutual.

  As he thought that he slowly walked back in the control room, not paying much attention to the two other jumpers that were coming in.

  He caught his breath as the jumper cleared the cloak that hid the city. It was stunning. A small smile crept on his face as he noticed the others looking with wide eyes.

  “Atlantis.”

  It was a small thought that he knew was going through everyone’s mind right now.

  The jumper closed on the highest tower. He guessed that it was the place where the hangar bay was placed. Their jumper was the last one of the five that were bringing the new personal to the city.

  As the jumper lowered in the hangar bay he was amazed as he watched the marvel of the technology. He already had the briefing right after he and his men arrived at SGC as part of the Macedonian contingent that would join it. He knew the reason they were here. The Macedonian government used blackmail to get them here, using the alien ship as leverage.

  A small shiver went through him as he remembered the ship and the creatures that came out of it. He felt the tingle of hatred as he remembered the friends he lost that day, the civilians that died. He hoped that he would get a chance to avenge them.

  As the jumper landed he gathered his gear and followed the rest of the men outside.

  Sheppard watched as the men came out from the jumpers. He smiled as he noticed the scientists and the engineers looking with wide eyes at the hangar bay. The soldiers were impressed as well but they were more composed.

  They came out carrying their gear. As they came out the jumpers rose once again. They were going after the others.

  Before he could say anything Teyla and Radek took care of the large group of non military personal from the three jumpers. He nodded to Teyla before she left and she noticed her smile back.

  As he returned his gaze he noticed the soldiers standing on attention. Their eyes were looking at him.

  He turned and noticed Lorne smiling.

  “Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Atlantis. As you already know my name is Colonel Sheppard and this is Major Lorne. From today you are assigned to the contingent of arm forces stationed and tasked with the defense of the city.”

  He noticed several nods.

  “Lorne take them to their rooms and then brief them about their duties.”

  The smile vanished from Lorne’s face. John grinned.

  “Yes sir.”

  He waved a hand and the group followed him.

  John watched them go.

  He knew that this was just the start. As the day for launch approached more and more people were coming onboard. He remembered the first expedition that went to the city, compared to the number of people that will be in the city when it heads towards Pegasus that expedition was tiny.

  He knew that decision wasn’t still made, but from the brief talk he had with General O’Neal he knew that it was close.

  Since Atlantis left Pegasus one ship remained on a constant posting in Pegasus, and the news that the Deadalus, and later the Hammond brought back were not good. The Wraith started waking up several years ago but that process was still ongoing, but according to the latest Intel the fighting between the clans was coming to an end. There was no new information about the cause but he suspected that a new queen might have emerged, or maybe awakened. He kept on listening to the recording about the battle between the Ancients and the Wraith. The recording mentioned thousands of Wraith hive ships. He knew that many were destroyed but still he suspected that there were much more than the sixty or so ships that Atlantis knew about before they left the Pegasus. He knew that there was a plan for the Odyssey to go and try to check out the sector where they first encountered the Wraith. There were also plans in work for salvaging the Tria, and restoring the Midway station. There was much work ahead of them. O’Neal told him to expect a new promotion. He wondered what it would be.

  As he wa
tched the soldiers go he knew that they would need much more.

  As he walked in the Control Room Ronon called him. The Satedan looked excited. He knew that Ronon and every Athosian on board were anxious to return to the Pegasus.

  “I heard that the new group arrived, these Macedonians.”

  “Yes they did. Lorne is showing them around right now.”

  Ronon looked straight in to his eyes.

  John hated that look. It was the look of Ronon when he wanted something.

  “Did you know that one of them fought the Wraith when they crash landed in his country?”

  John sighed. He knew the story and he read the report. He planned to talk with that soldier later himself. His experience would come handy when the time comes. He knew that fighting the Wraith was different from anything most of the soldiers that would be joining the expedition had. He just wasn’t to sure about how this soldier would react. The report stated that he lost several close friends to the Wraith, civilians.

  “Yes I know. He’s their commanding officer. Major Talevski.”

  Ronon nodded.

  “And you’d like to talk to him, and maybe try him in the training room.”

  Dex smiled.

  “Anyone that took a wraith one on one without a weapon must be one hell of a warrior. That is something I have to check.”

  “You mean you want to kick his ass and demonstrate that you are the real Wraith killer here.”

  They both turned and looked at Rodney.

  John smiled. No matter what you did there was one man in Atlantis that never changed. He always found new ways to irritate them. But no matter what he did, he was one of their closes friends.

  As they both looked at McKay he stared back at them and shrugged.

  “What? You know I’m right. He won’t say it but it irks him that some ordinary soldier from Earth took down a wraith in hand to hand combat.”

  Dex became serious. John knew how much the Satedan hated the Wraith. Everyone knew it, even Rodney. But he was also proud, too proud.

  “You remember Teal’c don’t you John.”

  John smiled as he remembered the way Ronon and Teal’c settled their dispute. And then he remembered what was needed to settle that argument down, the damned Wraith.

  His face became serious.

  “Go and check in with Lorne. I think it will be useful if you share your experiences.”

  Ronon nodded and then looked at McKay.

  The scientist just waved him away.

  The Satedan smiled. No matter how the scientist always managed to walk on his nerves he considered him his friend. And there was no denying his brilliance.

  Besides it was not like he was the only one that had to suffer him. He noticed the haggard face of Zelenka as Rodney went towards him.

  The two scientists started arguing almost at once. No one paid them much attention. It was a well know scene that was normal for everyone that knew them both. Ronon noticed Keller smiling from the balcony. She noticed him looking at her and she nodded. He returned the nod and then went to look for Lorne.

  Aleksandar looked around the room as he placed his gear. He arranged his clothes and uniform. He looked at the arranged uniforms that were left here for him. Three colors were available, black, blue and gray. They all wore the insignia of SGC and Atlantis. He knew that every one of his men would be getting them. They were no longer part of the Macedonian Army. Just as everyone that will be stationed in the city they would be part of the Atlantis security forces. The briefing didn’t mention how many soldiers would be placed but considering the size and the importance of the city he guessed that it would be a large contingent.

  He had an appointment in medical for a regular check up. The briefing mentioned the ATA gene. They were supposed to get a gene therapy that would give them an option to control some of the technology of the city.

  A smile appeared on his face as thought of it.

  Atlantis… it was a childhood legend, a myth… a dream of a long dead philosopher that was called Plato but…

  He remembered the saying that all myths are based on some truth, that if you dig deep enough you will find it. But what he saw now, what he knew. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning.

  In a way it was magical.

  He finished unpacking and turned to the door. As he approached he noticed it opening on its own.

  As he stepped outside he almost collided with a man that was standing in front of his door.

  He stopped and took a step back. He noticed the man evaluating him and he returned the gesture.

  He was tall, nearly two meters, almost a head taller than him. He was dressed casual a white t-shirt and brown pants. But it took just a second for Aleksandar to notice the concealed knives placed at places that he could easily reach. He felt his body tense almost at once and it was obvious that the other man noticed it too.

  He heard other doors opening and he could hear the other men from his unit coming out. They stopped almost at once and he knew that if he needed them they would come to his aid.

  Ronon noticed the young soldier evaluating him. He heard the other doors opening and the soldiers stop. He noticed their looks and he noticed the look of respect they showed to the man he was facing. It made him smile.

  “I’m Ronon. Ronon Dex.”

  He extended his hand.

  It took just a moment for the other soldier to comprehend. But he didn’t notice any reaction except a small smile on his face as well. He accepted his handshake.

  “The Satedan…glad to meet you Ronon. I’m Aleksandar.”

  They both put all they had in the grip.

  And they both winced. The smile on Ronon’s face grew wider. He knew that this would be a worthy sparring partner.

  As he did that he met the man’s eyes. It took just a second for it to register but the dark eyes showed the same darkness he had in his. He knew that he knows what loss of someone dear means, he knew pain.

  He just nodded.

  “Sorry that I interrupted you like that.”

  Aleksandar returned the nod and smiled.

  “It’s ok. It’s my fault as much as yours. I was distracted.”

  “Well that’s nothing new…Happens to everyone the first time. It’s the city.”

  Aleksandar smiled.

  “You got that right. It’s impressive.”

  Ronon nodded as he noticed the other soldiers smiling. He could notice that they were still checking him out. He couldn’t blame them. He was used to it by now. It happened with every soldier from Earth. He smiled as he remembered the marines. He had to break several backs before he earned their respect. He knew that this would be the same. It was something normal even back on Sateda.

  His face darkened as he remembered his home. It was gone now. He had a new home, a new family here on Atlantis. But he still had the thirst for vengeance. He knew that it will always be there. Lurking underneath the surface, just waiting to get out and explode.

  He smiled as he remembered the psychologist evaluation. He had anger, like he needed her to tell him that. Anyone who lived through what he did would be angry, angry at everything and everyone. He lost everything, even hope before he joined the expedition. It took years to feel alive again, and it took patience from the people he considered friends. Patience and compassion he knew they had plenty. And as he remembered all that happened in the past years he knew that they had steel in them as well. They were not just brave but also smart. He remembered the talks he had with Teal’c and the lesson he learned.

  These people never gave up… they managed to take down the Ori and the Goa’uld, to beat the odds. And they didn’t fear to take on the Wraith. They valued human life and freedom.

  And as he saw the man beside him he knew that he could see that the same fire burned in him as well.

  “We are supposed to report to medical for check up.”

  Ronon nodded.

  “I’ll take you there.”

  As they approached the el
evator the door automatically opened. Aleksandar paid it no heed but the look on Ronon’s face made him wonder.

  “What is it?”

  “You probably have the gene.”

  Aleksandar scratched his head. He knew that he will get checked but he didn’t expect to have it. According to the reports it was rare only about 4% of the total population on Earth and that thought made him smile. It reminded him of the times his parents told him he was a rare special thing.

  “Well I’ll be damned.”

  He turned and noticed the smiles on the faces of the other soldiers. He knew that he will have to suffer jokes on his account about this. But that was usual. It was the way it worked in the military.

  It took them just moments to reach their destination.

  He noticed two doctors that were having some discussion.

  “We will need to train the new personal…”

  “I know Jennifer but we’ll have time…”

  “Doctors…”

  The discussion stopped as soon as Ronon spoke. They both turned.

  The women smiled as she saw Ronon. It was a friendly smile. The man looked confused for a moment but as soon as he noticed the group of soldier’s he nodded.

  “Ah the medical checkup.”

  Aleksandar noticed several chuckles behind him. He knew that they came because of the doctor’s Scottish accent. He felt the same urge but he held back.

  He noticed the smile on the doctor’s face. It was obvious that he understood the joke.

  Ronon turned to Aleksandar.

  “I would like to speak with you latter.”

  Aleksandar nodded.

  Ronon returned the nod. Then he turned to the doctors.

  “I will see you later in the mess hall doc’s.”

  Then he left.

  As he did the woman showed them to their places I the med lab.

  “I’m Dr. Keller. This is Dr. Becket.”

  “And I’m Scottish as you already know.”