《Legacy of the Gate》 "Beyond the Gate" "Beyond the Gate" It was 2007 when Catherine Anne MacGregor¡¯s life took a turn she could never have predicted. A RAAF officer, she was living a life of steady stability after a somewhat chaotic adolescence. Her tall frame and platinum blonde hair still earned her the occasional awkward nickname, but she had long outgrown the goofy, wide-eyed teenager who had once been too tall for her own good. Then, one night, a knock on her door would change everything. At first, Cate assumed it was some kind of prank. She had just returned to her small house on the outskirts of Newcastle after a routine assignment, when she opened the door to find a woman in military fatigues standing before her. The woman was striking¡ªalmost as tall as Cate herself, sharp features with an intensity in her eyes that spoke of secrets kept under lock and key; and another blonde. Her twin brother would have fun with that. "I''m Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter," the woman introduced herself, her American accent was clear and authoritative. "I need to talk to you about something very important, something only a select few know about." Cate blinked, crossing her arms. ¡°Is this some kind of joke?¡± Colonel Carter didn¡¯t smile. "It¡¯s not a joke, Flight Lieutenant MacGregor. I¡¯m here to offer you a choice. A chance to be part of something bigger than anything you¡¯ve ever imagined." A cold shiver of disbelief ran through Cate, but her curiosity got the better of her. She listened as Carter explained, in cryptic yet compelling detail, the existence of the Stargate Program. Cate''s mind struggled to process it all¡ªthe concept of ancient alien technology, intergalactic travel, secret military operations¡ªbut when Carter mentioned the USS Daedalus, the massive starship floating somewhere in orbit, Cate¡¯s scepticism faltered. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Before she could even ask another question, Carter did something she couldn¡¯t have anticipated. She gestured toward the door, and a sudden burst of light engulfed the room. Cate felt her body lurch, as if gravity itself had vanished. In the blink of an eye, she was standing on a massive ship in the middle of deep space, staring out of a viewing window at the stars and the blue orb of Earth below, her jaw hanging open. ¡°Welcome to the Daedalus,¡± Carter said, as if the sight should have been entirely normal. ¡°There¡¯s a lot for you to learn, but we¡¯ve got time.¡± Cate¡¯s transition from a seasoned F/A18 pilot to an interstellar officer was nothing short of extraordinary. She spent years training with the best, first as part of the F-302 program¡ªwhere she discovered her true calling as a fighter pilot in the defence of Earth¡ªand later, as an integral member of SG-4, a black ops team that worked beyond the reach of most people¡¯s imaginations. Her mind, once full of doubts about the world beyond the stars, now raced with the unyielding purpose of a soldier who understood that the universe was full of threats. The gates were open, and the team she led was tasked with protecting Earth from them. By 2017, Cate stood at the helm of SG-4 as its commanding officer. The black ops team was as elite as it came, a blend of strategic minds and deadly force. It was her responsibility now to lead them through the most dangerous missions, the ones that didn¡¯t make headlines or even official reports. Every mission was a gamble, but she had come to trust her team, just as they trusted her. Her team, a group of veterans and specialists, respected her for more than just her skills¡ªshe had earned their trust through countless life-and-death situations, each one bringing them closer together. They followed her orders without question, knowing that Cate would do whatever it took to protect them. On a mission to P3X-817, a planet infested with Lucian Alliance sympathisers, Cate stood on the desolate surface, her team scattered around her as they prepared to enter a hidden facility. As she looked at the jagged landscape, she couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how far she had come¡ªfrom the awkward young woman in the RAAF to the hardened leader in the most secretive military program the world had ever known. ¡°Ready, Commander?¡± Major Troy asked, his voice steady as he checked his weapon. Cate gave a tight smile. ¡°Always. Let¡¯s move out.¡± With the familiar sound of boots hitting the dirt, SG-4 moved forward into the unknown. The Stargate, once an anomaly, had become her reality. Her destiny was no longer a matter of flight patterns and military drills¡ªit was about protecting her world from threats that were as old as time itself. The teenager who had once struggled to find her place now stood at the forefront of a battle that would determine the future of humanity. And as they disappeared into the darkness of the unknown, Cate MacGregor couldn¡¯t help but think that her journey, which had started with a knock on the door, was far from over. There were more gates to open. More worlds to explore. And she would be there every step of the way. "To The Stars" Cate MacGregor had a long journey ahead of her before becoming the commanding officer of SG-4. Her selection into the heady world of the Stargate Program was just the beginning. There were endless months of training, and let¡¯s not forget the medical tests. While the SGC was still under U.S. Air Force authority (by proxy of the IOA), every new candidate had to endure a rigorous screening process to ensure they weren¡¯t¡­ well, an alien posing as human. Apparently, that had happened more than once. It was during these tests that Cate¡¯s high ATA gene expression was discovered. "Quite high, actually," Dr. Lam had told her, flipping through a tablet. "On a scale close to General Sheppard¡¯s and just a smidgen below General O¡¯Neill¡¯s." Cate had blinked at the revelation, then grinned. "So, I am an alien?" Lam had barely cracked a smile. "We¡¯ve had weirder." Cate froze. "You¡¯re joking, right?" A long pause. "No." "Bloody hell," Cate muttered. "And here I thought the weirdest part of this gig would be the American coffee."
After the tests came the deluge of study. Cate found herself drowning in mission reports and alien race profiles, her desk stacked with documents that rivalled her entire RAAF flight manuals. The names of alien species were the worst. ¡°Who writes these things? Tolkien?¡± she muttered to the trainee next to her, earning a stifled laugh. Cate¡¯s sarcastic running commentary quickly became a highlight of the otherwise gruelling lessons. Their no-nonsense instructor, Colonel Masters, wasn¡¯t amused. ¡°Is there a problem, Flight Lieutenant?¡± he asked, glaring down at her. Cate didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Just wondering if we get a decoder ring for all these alien names, sir.¡± A few more laughs echoed around the room, but Masters¡¯ piercing stare silenced them. ¡°I suggest you focus on the material, MacGregor.¡± Cate leaned over to her neighbour, whispering, ¡°Focus? Mate, I¡¯m trying not to laugh at the fact someone called a snake god ¡®Apophis.¡¯ Sounds like a brand of shampoo.¡±
The real excitement began when Cate was finally checked out for F-302 training. It was late 2007, nearing winter, when she found herself at a secret base in the Nevada desert, staring at the sleek, alien-inspired fighter plane. Beside her stood Captain Brendan Jones, her instructor, who exuded all the charm of a boot camp drill sergeant. ¡°Right, ¡®Flight Lieutenant,¡¯¡± Jones drawled, making air quotes with his fingers. ¡°Think you can handle this, or should we start with a paper plane?¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Cate raised an eyebrow. ¡°Paper planes might be more your speed, Captain. But I¡¯ll give this a go.¡± Jones scowled. ¡°You think you¡¯re funny?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± she replied with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re just an easy target.¡± The sarcasm did nothing to endear her to Jones, who made it his mission to knock her down a peg. Cate, however, had her own plan. During the first few flight sessions, she intentionally fumbled through manoeuvres, letting Jones believe she was barely competent. ¡°MacGregor, that¡¯s the third time you¡¯ve overshot your trajectory!¡± Jones bellowed over the comms. ¡°Are you trying to map a scenic route?¡± ¡°Sorry, sir,¡± Cate replied innocently. ¡°I just wanted to make sure I didn¡¯t miss the view.¡± Jones¡¯ frustration was palpable, but Cate held back her true skills until it was time for the final combat simulations. That¡¯s when the real fun began.
Cate had a wealth of experience to draw from. She had served with the 121st Fighter Squadron ANG on F-16s during Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan, earning two unit citations. Additionally, she had completed a six-month exchange with the US Navy''s Top Gun School as an instructor. Despite her impressive background, she chose to hold back during the initial training sessions, letting Jones believe she was just an average pilot. Flashbacks of her time in Afghanistan occasionally surfaced, particularly the harrowing incident when her squadron was accused of a blue-on-blue error that resulted in the deaths of several English soldiers. The investigation had been lengthy and gruelling, but they were eventually cleared of any wrongdoing. The experience had shaken Cate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on her.
The desert sun cast long shadows as Cate¡¯s F-302 taxied smoothly along the tarmac. Jones raised an eyebrow from the rear cockpit, momentarily impressed by her steady take-off. ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered, almost begrudgingly. Cate smiled, her voice calm over the comms. ¡°Thanks, Brendan. Try not to faint.¡± Once airborne, the simulated combat drills began. Her first opponent, an F-16, made it almost too easy, executing predictable manoeuvres that Cate countered with textbook precision. She locked on quickly, the simulation registering her first kill. ¡°Target neutralized,¡± the system intoned. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± Jones warned. ¡°It only gets harder from here.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. The second F-16 pilot upped the ante, employing evasive manoeuvres that tested Cate¡¯s reflexes. The two aircraft twisted and turned in a dizzying aerial ballet, each trying to outwit the other. Cate pushed the F-302 to its limits, skimming the desert floor and climbing sharply to evade counterattacks. Finally, she outflanked her opponent, locking on and scoring her second kill. Jones exhaled sharply. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll admit, that was decent.¡± ¡°Just decent?¡± Cate teased. ¡°Hang on to your helmet, Captain. We¡¯ve got one more.¡± The final opponent wasn¡¯t just any pilot¡ªit was Colonel Lillian Radovic, one of the Air Force¡¯s finest, with 16 confirmed kills in the F-302. Cate¡¯s grip tightened on the controls as Radovic¡¯s F-16 appeared on the radar. ¡°She¡¯s not going to go easy on you,¡± Jones said. ¡°Radovic¡¯s a legend for a reason.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Cate replied, a determined edge in her voice. ¡°Neither am I.¡± The ensuing dogfight was nothing short of spectacular. Radovic was relentless, her manoeuvres sharp and unpredictable. Cate matched her move for move, her instincts and training kicking into high gear. The two aircraft danced through the sky, trading the advantage back and forth. The onboard computer blared a warning: ¡°Terrain. Pull up. Pull up.¡± ¡°MacGregor!¡± Jones shouted. ¡°Listen to the damn computer!¡± ¡°Relax, Brendan,¡± Cate said, her voice steady. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡± Radovic¡¯s F-16 dived sharply, attempting to force Cate into a no-win scenario. Cate followed, ignoring the blaring alarms as she closed the gap. At the last possible moment, she pulled back hard on the stick, sending the F-302 into a steep climb. The G-forces pressed Jones into his seat as Cate executed a perfect roll, coming out above Radovic. ¡°Target acquired.¡± Cate fired, the simulation registering her third and final kill. Jones let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± he muttered. Cate grinned, easing off the throttle. ¡°Maybe. But I¡¯m also undefeated.¡± Back on the tarmac, Radovic approached Cate with a nod of respect. ¡°Impressive flying, Flight Lieutenant. You¡¯ve got talent.¡± ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am,¡± Cate replied, genuinely honoured by the praise. Jones, meanwhile, climbed out of the cockpit looking pale. Cate couldn¡¯t resist. ¡°Oh, Brendan,¡± she said sweetly, ¡°you¡¯ve got a bit of colour in your face. I thought Marines didn¡¯t scare easy.¡± Jones glared at her but couldn¡¯t suppress the hint of a smile. ¡°Just get your report, MacGregor.¡± Cate winked. ¡°Looking forward to it, Captain.¡±
The report Jones submitted later was glowing, despite his earlier frustration. ¡°Exceptional flight instincts,¡± it read. ¡°Superior combat skills. Highly recommended for interstellar assignments.¡± Cate skimmed the document, her eyebrows rising at the praise. ¡°Brendan,¡± she said with mock surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you cared.¡± Jones muttered, ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck, MacGregor.¡± Cate grinned. ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡± If they thought she had an ego, they were dead wrong. Cate had simply found her purpose in life and she wasn¡¯t about to squander it. Into the fire Into the Fire: In early January 2008, after a week¡¯s leave back home in Sydney to spend New Year¡¯s with her parents, her brother Ben, and his family, Cate was back at the SGC. It had been difficult for her not to reveal what she was doing; to the family, it was just another exchange posting. The problem was, all four MacGregors served their country: William, a Rear Admiral with the Navy and commander of the Naval Air Station at Nowra; her mother Anne, a Captain (medical) at the same base; and Ben, a Captain with the Army¡¯s 4th Battalion, Commando regiment. At the airport, it felt strange: more so when the old man said to her, ¡°Keep your head down, Kiddo, and don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡± That wasn¡¯t like him at all, and the look in his eye almost said, I know what you¡¯re doing. Cate couldn¡¯t shake the feeling. All the way back to the States, she had this weird sense that something was going on. After all, Dad¡¯s security clearance was right up there. Could he know? Settling in her assigned quarters, she finally let the memory fade. They told her she¡¯d be waiting a day or two before being given her posting, so she spent some time in the gym and binged on some TV, old episodes of Star Trek, just for a laugh. If only they knew. The next day, she was called in to see the now Colonel Carter, who Cate already knew was a member of SG-1. That was something of a buzz for her, as by now she almost knew every mission of theirs by heart. Sam was forthright but friendly; sometimes a little too cheerful, smiling a lot when Cate thought it was inappropriate. The rumour was that many of the new pilots coming through were going to the Odyssey as replacements after its battle with the Ori. That was her expectation. Instead, Colonel Carter told her she was going first to the Alpha Site to work up a new squadron, with Cate in command: the 56th Attack Squadron. They were, in fact, a former U.S. Navy squadron, the ¡®Buzzards.¡¯ After no less than three weeks, they were to join nuship UNS (United Nations Ship) Invincible, the third ship of the new DD-100 Endurance class of destroyers. From what Cate had read, they were a formidable weapons platform, and the lead ship, Endurance, had already been blooded in battle. The young woman stood before the Stargate, dark blue tote bags at her feet. She paced back and forth like a lioness in a cage. Above her in the control room, Master Sergeant Walter Harriman waited for the confirmation from the Alpha Site. Down in the gate room, where Cate paced, the puddle of the event horizon swirled within the inner ring of the Stargate, behind the iris.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°She looks like she needs to be somewhere in a hurry,¡± Walter said to his companion without taking his eyes off his monitor. ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t argue with you on that, Walter.¡± The dark-haired woman beside him replied. ¡°I¡¯ve tried to speak with her a couple of times¡­¡± Vala began. ¡°¡­she seemed evasive. I think that¡¯s the right word. I mean, it isn¡¯t as if she¡¯s hiding something.¡± She paused, looking for words in her head. At that point, Sam Carter walked in. ¡°She hasn¡¯t left yet?¡± Sam asked. ¡°Er, ah, no, ma¡¯am.¡± Walter replied. ¡°We¡¯re waiting for the Alpha Site¡¯s confirmation.¡± Sam dropped a file on the desk in front of Vala. ¡°I heard what you said. It seems our new girl Cate does have a little secret.¡± Vala opened the file and began to read. Down in the Gate Room, Cate¡¯s face took on a slight scowl. There was something going on in her mind; a darkness seemed to overcome her. An interview in the fourth year of her service with the Air Force came back to her. Someone from an agency called ASIS had wanted Cate to work for them, assuring her she¡¯d retain both her rank and status in the Air Force. The man was very convincing, saying she¡¯d be serving her country far more than she could imagine. That was three years of her life she could never get back. Yes, she¡¯d learned new skills, becoming highly proficient in several forms of martial arts and fluent in several languages. But towards the end of those three years, she became entangled in a botched joint mission with the CIA. Cate was to infiltrate North Korea as a Russian Air Force pilot, there to train North Korean pilots, and obtain files on several double agents the CIA and ASIS desperately wanted. The trouble was, her CIA contact was a double agent herself. Cate spent three months in a North Korean prison before she managed to escape. Three months of torture; she had the whip scars on her back as a token of North Korea¡¯s goodwill. Her mind cleared as she spun around to face the glass above and the three faces looking down on her. ¡°Are we there yet?¡± she demanded to know. Vala pushed the file aside, her brow furrowed. ¡°So, she¡¯s a spy then? Is that good or bad? Should we be worried?¡± Sam paused; her expression unreadable as she leaned on the console. Walter glanced up from his monitor, hesitation in his voice as he added, ¡°Colonel, do you think she¡¯s a security risk?¡± The question hung in the air for a moment, heavy with unspoken concerns. Sam didn¡¯t answer immediately, her eyes drifting to the gate room below where Cate stood, pacing with restless energy. Finally, Sam straightened and spoke with quiet conviction. ¡°No, she¡¯s not a security risk.¡± She glanced again at Cate, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ¡°But give her a few years¡­ and she¡¯s going to be one hell of an SG team leader.¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am, we have confirmation,¡± Walter interrupted. ¡°Open the iris, Walter,¡± Sam told him, then looked down at Vala. ¡°Was. For our sake, let¡¯s hope that is all behind her now.¡± The Rookie The Rookie: As the Stargate¡¯s iris slid open with a low metallic hum, Cate turned to glance up at the control room. She offered a quick smile and a salute of thanks to Walter and Sam, her acknowledgment precise and professional. She didn¡¯t notice Vala standing further back, arms folded, and lips pursed in mock indignation. ¡°She just ignores me?¡± Vala muttered dramatically to Sam, who smirked but said nothing. Cate hoisted her tote bags and strode forward. She barely registered the swirling event horizon ahead, her thoughts already fixed on the task awaiting her at the Alpha Site.
The journey through the wormhole was as disorienting as she remembered. The kaleidoscopic whirl of light and energy enveloped her, each molecule of her being deconstructed, hurled across the cosmos, and reassembled in a heartbeat. When her boots touched the grated platform on the Alpha Site¡¯s gate room floor, Cate steadied herself, forcing the nausea to subside. She glanced around; the once-modest facility had grown into a sprawling, fortified base. The Stargate now resided deep underground, protected by layers of reinforced concrete and steel. The base commander, Colonel Michelle Bixby, greeted Cate just beyond the gate room. Bixby¡¯s demeanour was crisp but welcoming. Cate remembered her from her prior visit to the Alpha Site: a no-nonsense officer with a reputation for keeping things running smoothly. She also knew Bixby was a former helicopter pilot, an army aviator who had earned her stripes flying Blackhawks and Apaches. ¡°Squadron Leader MacGregor,¡± Bixby said, offering a firm handshake. ¡°Welcome back.¡± Cate blinked, caught off guard by the rank. ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± Bixby¡¯s eyes twinkled with amusement. ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t they tell you? Congratulations, you¡¯ve been promoted. The Australian Defence Attach¨¦ in Washington sent the confirmation through this morning. It¡¯s official.¡± Cate felt a swell of pride and a flicker of nervous energy. ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am.¡± She snapped a salute, though it wasn¡¯t strictly necessary. Bixby returned it with a small smile.
After being shown her quarters¡ªspartan but functional, situated conveniently near the pilot¡¯s ready room¡ªCate settled in quickly. She took her evening meal there, savouring a moment of quiet, then hit the showers before turning in early. By 0500, she was seated at her desk, poring over the personnel files of her new squadron. The 56th Attack Squadron was a multinational group of fourteen pilots, representing Stargate member nations. While she would get to know them all, six stood out for immediate focus: Cate¡¯s own call sign, ¡°Taipan,¡± reflected her precision and lethality in the cockpit.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Over the next two weeks, Cate implemented her training regimen. Classroom sessions were met with groans from the more experienced pilots, but Cate insisted on laying a solid foundation. Beyond technical skills, she focused on team cohesion. She arranged bonding activities¡ªsome traditional, others not. A cricket match baffled many of her multinational crew but proved effective in building camaraderie. Simulator training on the new F-302D¡ªa clipped-wing, single-seater variant¡ªconsumed countless hours. Bianchi struggled with formation flying and complex manoeuvres, but Cate¡¯s patient guidance and Dusty¡¯s mentorship gradually brought him up to speed. By the end of the second week, the young ensign¡¯s progress was evident. The final phase of training involved combat simulations against the Alpha Site¡¯s aggressor squadron, flying older F-302A models. The exercises tested the squadron¡¯s mettle, sharpening their skills for real-world scenarios.
Midweek, the Lucian Alliance launched a surprise attack. The Alpha Site¡¯s sensors detected a Hat¡¯ak-class mothership entering orbit, deploying waves of Death Gliders. Cate¡¯s squadron scrambled to intercept. Dividing her pilots into three flights of four, she held one in reserve while two joined the Alpha Site¡¯s defenders. The ensuing battle erupted into a maelstrom of chaos. Gliders darted like angry hornets, diving and weaving in unpredictable patterns as they peppered the skies with lethal bursts of energy fire. Cate gripped her controls tightly, her voice calm but firm over the comms. "Buzzards, keep it tight! Viking, take Angel and push left to cut off their flank. Dusty, cover our six!" A cacophony of acknowledgments followed. "On it, Taipan!" McClaren''s clipped tone carried determination, while Angel''s steadier voice chimed in, "Rolling to intercept." Cate twisted her F-302D into a sharp climb, narrowly avoiding a burst of plasma fire. "Nugget! Watch your spacing! You''re too close to Batman," she barked, eyes darting across her instruments. "Sorry, ma''am! Adjusting now!" Bianchi¡¯s panicked reply betrayed his inexperience, but Cate had no time to coddle him. Instead, she looped behind a pair of gliders targeting Ghost and unleashed a stream of railgun fire, shredding one and forcing the other into a hasty retreat. Kalowski''s voice cut through the chaos, a mix of adrenaline and humour. "Batman here¡ªjust took out two bogeys. Guess that makes me the Caped Crusader of the skies!" "Focus, Batman!" Cate snapped, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. The skirmish raged on, the defenders gradually gaining the upper hand through sheer coordination. The base¡¯s AC-402 gunships swooped in low, their heavy cannons shredding any gliders that ventured too close to the ground. Viking¡¯s calm voice provided updates. "Angel and I have cleared the left flank. Moving to regroup." "Copy that," Cate replied, her gaze darting to the tactical display. "Buzzards, form up for a counterstrike. Let¡¯s push them back!" As the gliders began to falter, retreating toward the Hat¡¯ak, Cate felt a surge of relief tempered by grim determination. They had held the line¡ªfor now. Cate¡¯s leadership shone as the comms buzzed with rapid orders. "Buzzards, tighten up formation! Viking, take Angel and cut off their flank!" she commanded, her voice firm yet calm amidst the chaos. Acknowledgments followed swiftly, punctuated by the roar of engines and the crackle of energy fire. Cate rolled her F-302D into a sharp dive, chasing a glider as Dusty¡¯s voice crackled, "On their tail, Taipan! Marking targets now!" Every move she made directed the battle, her split-second decisions turning potential disaster into tactical advantage. The base¡¯s AC-402 gunships provided vital support, preventing the mothership from closing in. Cate and Kalowski each achieved ace status, downing multiple enemy gliders. However, victory came at a steep cost. The loss of three Buzzards and four Alpha Site pilots hit the squadron hard. Cate felt each name like a punch to the gut as the reports came in. Dusty¡¯s voice cracked over the comms as he confirmed Viking and Angel were safe, but the emptiness in his tone mirrored her own. In the debriefing room, silence reigned as the weight of their sacrifices settled over the surviving pilots. Cate clenched her fists, her voice steady but strained as she addressed them. "We lost good people today," she said, locking eyes with each pilot. "But they won¡¯t be forgotten. They were part of this family, and we fight to honour them. For now, we grieve. Tomorrow, we rebuild." As the battle ended, Colonel Bixby addressed the survivors. ¡°This wasn¡¯t a full assault. They were testing our defences. We¡¯ll be ready when they come back.¡± Cate¡¯s squadron emerged bloodied but stronger. The loss weighed heavily, but they had proven themselves in their first true trial. For Cate, it was a sombre reminder of the stakes they faced. The Buzzards were ready for war¡ªbut at a cost none of them would ever forget. Welcome to the Invincible Welcome to the Invincible: The Mighty ¡®I¡¯ wasn¡¯t known for punctuality, and this time was no exception. Arriving a day and a half late to the Alpha Site, she carried the scars of two skirmishes with Lucian Alliance Hat¡¯aks. For much of her journey, the Invincible had the convoy of her sister ship the Endurance and the Daedalus as company. The battles had been gritty, with pulses of energy fire and evasive manoeuvres, leading to unavoidable delays. But when the dark grey silhouette of the ship finally entered orbit over PX9-U47, her arrival sent a ripple of relief through the base. Cate stood with her squadron near the runway, the noon sun glinting off the F-302s lined up behind them. She¡¯d already given her team a final briefing and thanked Colonel Bixby for her hospitality. The two women exchanged a firm handshake before embracing briefly. ¡°When you¡¯re back,¡± Bixby said with a grin, ¡°we¡¯ll hit Foreston and grab some beers. The locals make a damn good brew.¡± Cate smiled, feeling a pang of affection for the base. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that, ma¡¯am.¡± Bixby¡¯s expression sobered. ¡°We¡¯ll miss you, MacGregor. Fly safe out there.¡± ¡°Always,¡± Cate replied before turning to her squadron. ¡°Buzzards, mount up! It¡¯s time to fly.¡± Twelve F-302s roared to life in unison, their engines kicking up a swirling cloud of dust as they taxied down the runway. One by one, the jets climbed into the sky, forming an arrowhead formation as they punched through the atmosphere. The dark expanse of space unfolded before them, and the chatter over the radio began almost immediately.
¡°Holy crap, would you look at that thing?¡± Ensign Bianchi¡¯s voice crackled, awe dripping from every word. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ massive!¡± ¡°Bianchi, focus,¡± Ramirez muttered, though her own voice betrayed a hint of wonder. ¡°But yeah¡­ wow.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like a sea-going carrier had a baby with a warship,¡± Kalowski quipped. ¡°All those guns¡­ It¡¯s beautiful.¡± Cate smirked but maintained her professionalism. ¡°Buzzards, tighten up the chatter. We¡¯re on approach. Dusty, take us in.¡± Dusty¡¯s voice cut in, sharp and steady. ¡°Copy Taipan. Baseline, this is Buzzard Actual. Requesting landing instructions.¡± The reply came immediately, smooth and practiced. ¡°Buzzard Actual, Baseline here. We are ready to receive. Standard carrier ops. Approach astern, follow the lights. One-minute intervals between landings.¡± ¡°Copy that, Baseline,¡± Dusty replied. ¡°You heard them, team. Let¡¯s make it clean.¡± As they closed in, the Invincible came into sharper focus. Similar in design to the Daedalus-class ships but three-quarters of the length, her lines were sleek yet bristling with weaponry. The engines were boxed together in a compact cluster, and the open-ended hangars at the front and rear gave her a unique, utilitarian appearance. Her dark grey hull gleamed faintly against the starlight, a silent promise of power and resilience.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
One by one, the F-302s landed, guided by precise signals from the deck crew. Inside the hangar, the atmosphere was electric. As Cate climbed out of her cockpit, she was met with a wave of applause from the gathered personnel. ¡°Welcome aboard, Buzzards!¡± a booming voice called out. A stocky man with greying sandy hair strode forward, his hands on his hips and a wide grin splitting his weathered face. ¡°First Sergeant Daniel Piper US Air Force. Call me ¡®Boss Dog¡¯ if you want to make my day. I¡¯m the Crew Chief, and this is my house.¡± Cate extended her hand, smiling. ¡°Squadron Leader Cate MacGregor. Thanks for the warm welcome, Boss Dog.¡± Piper shook her hand firmly. ¡°We¡¯ve been hearing about you, Taipan. Hell of a show you put on at the Alpha Site. My crew¡¯s got your backs now, you can count on that.¡± ¡°Good to know,¡± Cate replied, meeting his steady gaze. She glanced around at the faces of the deck crew, men and women, all professionals in their craft. ¡°Our birds will need some patching as you can see.¡± Her hand rested on the angled sides of the 302, where a shot from a Death Glider had burnt several panels. The older man scanned her craft with a seasoned engineer¡¯s eye. ¡°By the time you get back here, ma¡¯am, they¡¯ll be as good as new.¡± Dusty wandered over, and Cate introduced him. The two men shook hands firmly. The hangar buzzed with activity as the Buzzards exchanged handshakes and back slaps with the deck crew and other pilots. Piper approached Cate with a serious expression. ¡°There¡¯s a debrief in the pilot¡¯s ready room. Follow me, please.¡±
The ready room was a hum of voices, pilots murmuring amongst themselves as they reviewed tactical displays. Commander Helen McFearson, tall and commanding, stood at the front. Her blonde hair hung loosely, as if she had just washed it. Yet she radiated poise and authority. ¡°Attention!¡± Piper called out as Cate and her squadron entered. McFearson¡¯s gaze was sharp as she took in the newcomers. ¡°Welcome aboard,¡± she began, her voice firm. ¡°I¡¯m Commander Helen McFearson, your CAG. Let¡¯s get to it.¡± Cate and her pilots took their seats as McFearson launched into a detailed briefing. She covered the ship¡¯s recent battles, their tactics, and the upcoming mission. She also addressed the mental strain of combat. ¡°I understand you¡¯ve faced losses,¡± McFearson said, her tone softening. ¡°It¡¯s never easy. But we must stay focused, stay strong.¡± Cate¡¯s exterior was cast iron, but McFearson, nearly ten years older, could see through her facade. ¡°Squadron Leader MacGregor, how¡¯s your team holding up?¡± Cate¡¯s reply was steady. ¡°We¡¯re ready for whatever comes next, ma¡¯am.¡± McFearson¡¯s eyes held a knowing look. ¡°Good to hear. Remember, my door is always open.¡± With the debrief concluded, the pilots were shown to their quarters. Cate¡¯s cabin was small but functional, with a neatly made bed and a desk. She quickly showered and changed into her day wear: two-tone blue camouflage, shirt, and cargo pants. After settling in, the Buzzards gathered in the ship¡¯s caf¨¦ for a meal. The camaraderie was palpable as they shared stories and laughter, a brief respite from the tension of their duties. In reality, they could have been dining in the wardroom, but all of them agreed they felt more comfortable among the crew. Still, they couldn¡¯t avoid it altogether; McFearson had sent Cate a message when she was changing that they were expected in the wardroom at 1600 hours. In the wardroom at the appointed hour, Captain Richard Hudson RN addressed the gathered pilots. His British accent carried the authority of years spent in command. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, your reputation precedes you. The Buzzards distinguished themselves at the Alpha Site, and I expect the same level of performance here. Commander McFearson will remain CAG, but Squadron Leader MacGregor, you¡¯ll be her XO. First mission briefing is at 0800. Questions?¡± The room remained silent. Hudson¡¯s eyes met Cate¡¯s briefly before he nodded. ¡°Dismissed.¡± That evening, the central hangar bay was transformed into a ceremonial space. The Buzzards stood in dress blues as the crew and officers gathered. Cate received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her bravery and leadership, Dusty was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and Kalowski the Navy Cross. Each squadron member received commendations, but it was Kalowski¡¯s speech that resonated most. ¡°This medal doesn¡¯t belong to me alone,¡± Kalowski began, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°It belongs to every one of you. We fought together, we bled together, and we won together. That¡¯s what makes us a team.¡± He paused, looking around at his fellow pilots and the deck crew. ¡°When we were out there, facing the enemy, it wasn¡¯t just about individual bravery. It was about trust. Trust in each other, trust in our training, and trust in our leaders. Every manoeuvre, every shot fired, every decision made¡ªit was all part of a collective effort. And that¡¯s why we¡¯re standing here today.¡± Kalowski¡¯s eyes glistened as he continued. ¡°I remember a moment during the battle when things looked bleak. We were outnumbered, outgunned, and the odds were against us. But then I heard your voices over the comms, steady and unwavering. It reminded me that we were not alone. We had each other¡¯s backs, and that gave me the strength to push through.¡± He took a deep breath, his voice growing stronger. ¡°This medal is a symbol of our unity, our resilience, and our unwavering spirit. It¡¯s a reminder that no matter how tough the fight, we can overcome anything as long as we stand together. So, this is for all of us¡ªfor the sacrifices we made, the battle we fought, and the victory we achieved. Here¡¯s to the Buzzards!¡± The applause that followed was thunderous. Cate stood among her squadron, pride and determination mingling as one thought echoed in her mind: This is only the beginning. ‘I’m not GI Jane’ I¡¯m not GI Jane: The Decision The 0800 briefing from Captain Hudson was concise but left an air of tension in the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, standing at the head of the table with a tablet in hand. "We¡¯ve lost contact with the Gamma Site. Three days and no response. General Carter has ordered a recon mission. No boots on the ground until we¡¯ve confirmed the area is secure." "What¡¯s the situation, sir?" Cate asked, leaning forward. Her tone was professional, but her expression betrayed concern. "The last MALP transmission showed nothing unusual near the Stargate," Hudson replied. "But it¡¯s limited in scope. The Gamma Site¡¯s importance to both Stargate Command and the IOA cannot be overstated. We¡¯re sending four F-302s from VFA-56 to sweep a twenty-mile radius. Top cover will be provided by VAQ-131. If the area checks out, we¡¯ll deploy a ground combat team via A/C-402B. Any questions?" Commander Helen McFearson, the Air Wing CAG, nodded toward Cate. "Squadron leader, your pilots ready for this?" "Absolutely, ma¡¯am," Cate replied with quiet confidence. "We¡¯ll sweep it clean." Hudson dismissed the group with a nod. "Brief your teams. We¡¯re wheels up in four hours. Dismissed."
Back at the squadron¡¯s ready room, Cate pulled her team together. "All right, listen up," she said, pulling up a holographic map of P8C-66R. "Our mission is straightforward: a grid sweep around the Gamma Site. Stay sharp. We¡¯re looking for anything unusual¡ªscorch marks, debris, you name it. Angel, Spock, you¡¯ll cover the southern grid. Batman, Dusty, you¡¯ve got the north." "And you, boss?" Dusty asked, his tone light but his eyes focused. "I¡¯ll be on overwatch," Cate said. "Any questions?" "What¡¯s the plan if we spot trouble?" Angel asked, her voice steady despite the tension. "Call it in and break off," Cate replied. "We¡¯re recon, not combat. Clear?" A chorus of "Yes, ma¡¯am" followed. Cate allowed herself a small smile. "Good. Let¡¯s suit up."
As the Invincible approached P8C-66R, the pilots climbed into their cockpits. The comms buzzed with chatter as the squadron ran through preflight checks. "Spock, your landing gear¡¯s hanging," Batman teased. "Or is that just your style?" "Don¡¯t be jealous of my flair," Spock retorted. "Ready on your mark, Lead." Cate¡¯s voice cut through the banter. "Focus up, team. Launch in thirty." The countdown ticked away, and one by one, the 302s shot out of the hangar, streaking toward the planet below. The HUDs lit up as the fighters entered their grid patterns. "Angel here, nothing on the southern pass," her calm voice reported. "North is clear," Batman added. "Just a lot of empty sand." "Hold up," Spock interjected. "I¡¯ve got something. Flattened area near the main bunker. Looks like¡­ landing gear impressions. Al¡¯kesh, maybe?" Cate frowned, studying the data. "Copy that. Dusty, get a closer scan. Everyone else, hold position."
With the area declared secure, the ground teams deployed. Captain Hudson addressed the marines over comms. "Remember your training. We¡¯re looking for survivors, signs of a struggle, or anything out of place." This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. "Understood, sir," Oberstabsfeldwebel Karl Brechman replied. "Team, fan out. Standard search pattern." Hours passed, the silence on the comms stretching thin. Finally, Brechman¡¯s voice crackled through. "Captain, the facility is¡­ empty. No personnel, no equipment. Just traces of a firefight. No bodies." "Go over it again," Hudson ordered, his tone grim. "Be thorough." After another hour, one marine¡¯s voice broke the tension. "Found something. A torn leather cuff. Looks Lucian Alliance." Back aboard the Invincible, Cate and Elle examined the fragment. "Lucian Alliance," Elle muttered, tracing the jagged edge. "This just got a lot more complicated." Hudson¡¯s voice interrupted. "We¡¯ve contacted the SGC. General Carter has intel from Lucian rebels. They suspect the Alliance took the scientists for their particle beam weapon research." Cate¡¯s jaw tightened. "And the destination?" "PH6-88J," Hudson said. "Planet¡¯s back under Alliance control. Expect resistance."
The Invincible emerged from hyperspace, and the alarms sounded immediately. "Unidentified vessel, closing fast!" the tactical officer shouted. "Battle stations!" Hudson barked. The enemy ship loomed into view, its dark grey plating and sleek lines an ominous sight. Fighters poured from its hangars, engaging the Invincible¡¯s air wing. "Falcon, Scotty, keep them off our six!" Cate commanded, weaving through a barrage of enemy fire. "Easier said than done, boss!" Scotty replied, his fighter narrowly avoiding a missile. The bridge shook as the Invincible took a direct hit. Hudson was thrown from his station, blood streaking his face. Elle, who had been overseeing operations in the hangar, rushed toward the bridge, navigating the damaged corridors. Smoke and chaos filled the air as she passed injured crew being tended to by medics. The explosive reverberations were felt throughout the ship. The Mighty ¡®I¡¯ shook it off, but she had been hurt. A message was passed down to the hangar bay to McFearson, it wasn¡¯t what she wanted to hear. When Elle arrived at the bridge, she took in the scene¡ªsparks flying from consoles, Hudson barely conscious. Her voice cut through the chaos. "Medical team to the bridge, now!" Minutes later, she addressed the senior staff. "I¡¯m assuming command.¡± That was logical, apart from Lieutenant Colonel Jeffries, the Marines commander, Elle was the next ranked officer on the ship. She pipped her coms. ¡°Cate, you¡¯re now CAG. Hold the line." Cate¡¯s reply crackled over comms. "Understood. Switching priorities." There were a few stragglers. The Buzzards made short work of a few before half a dozen or so, left the combat area, headed for who knew where. An excited voice was heard in every pilot¡¯s headset. ¡°I got two, two!¡± That was Bianchi, the Squadron¡¯s ¡®Nugget¡¯. Cate was still in the mood for retribution, she would have to save it for later. The score reflected her training of the Squadron. Twenty-seven confirmed kills, to just three of their own damaged. Every pilot of 56 and 131 had accounted for at least one bandit, Kalowski again leading the score with four. To Cate¡¯s credit, she was going to paint another kill silhouette under her cockpit and one shared. ¡°Good job boys and girls. Nugget, we¡¯ll have Cookie make pizza just for you.¡± She quipped. ¡°Let¡¯s go home kids.¡± The battle raged for an hour, the Invincible trading blow for blow. Finally, the enemy ship¡¯s systems faltered. "That was the last shot ma¡¯am, sensors indicate her main power module has shut down." the tactical officer reported. Elle exhaled, then turned to Cate, who by now was on the bridge, submitting her report. "Prepare boarding teams. We need answers." Cate hesitated. "Are you addressing me, Commander? I¡¯m a pilot, not a soldier." "Your file says otherwise," Elle countered. "We need you." ¡°It says spook, spy, and all-round idiot. This isn¡¯t my thing, with all due respect, ma¡¯am.¡± Cate dug her heels in. Too many times, she had gone out with all good intentions, and too many times bad intelligence had let her down. Elle took the younger woman aside, her tone softening. ¡°Listen, MacGregor, we have 130 people missing. Yes, the ship has any number of leaders who could take this on. I read your file three times over when you joined us.¡± She drew a breath. ¡°You had a success rate of ninety-two percent. No one blames you for the mistakes made on the other eight percent.¡± Cate¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°It¡¯s not about blame, Elle. It¡¯s about trust. I trust my team in the air. On the ground, it¡¯s different.¡± Elle¡¯s expression softened further. ¡°I get it, Cate. But right now, we need someone who can think on their feet, someone who can adapt. That¡¯s you. I¡¯m not asking you to be perfect. I¡¯m asking you to lead.¡± Cate looked away, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. Finally, she nodded. ¡°Alright, Elle. I¡¯ll do it. But you¡¯d better have my back out there.¡± Elle smiled, relief washing over her face. ¡°Always, Cate. Always.¡±
Cate took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She headed to the hangar bay, where the combat teams were assembling. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and determination. "Listen up!" Cate called out, her voice carrying over the noise. "We¡¯re heading into a hot zone. Stay sharp and watch each other¡¯s backs. Captain Thompson," she nodded to the British Royal Marine, "you¡¯ll be my second in command." Captain Thompson, a tall, imposing figure with a calm demeanour, stepped forward. "Understood, Squadron Leader." Cate turned to the two A/C-402B pilots. "Lieutenants, we need a clean insertion. Find us a secure spot on the top decking behind the bridge. We¡¯ll clamp onto the hull and cut our way in." "Roger that, ma¡¯am," one of the pilots replied, giving a crisp salute. The teams mounted up, forty marines in total, a mixture of nationalities including a few Aussie commandos. The tension was palpable as the 402s lifted off, heading towards the Alliance ship.
The 402s approached the enemy vessel, scanning for an appropriate entry point. "There," the pilot pointed out, "top decking behind the bridge. Looks like our best bet." "Copy that," Cate replied. "Prepare to clamp onto the hull." The 402s settled down, clamping onto the hull with a solid thud. The circular hatch in the rear cargo floor created a seal, and plasma torches began cutting through the metal. "Ready, team?" Cate asked, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "Ready!" came the unified response. The hatch gave way, and the boarding teams dropped down into the enemy ship. They were met with immediate resistance, plasma bolts flying. Two marines fell within the first few minutes, their losses a heavy blow to the team¡¯s morale. "Push forward!" Cate shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "We¡¯re almost there!" The battle was fierce, with the marines fighting desperately to secure the ship. After 35 gruelling minutes, the ship was finally subdued. Cate surveyed the damage, her face grim. "Seven dead. Was it worth it?" Engineers who had accompanied the team declared the ship unsalvageable. "We need to plant charges," one of them said. Cate nodded, her mind already on the next steps. "Set the charges. We¡¯ve got prisoners and intel to secure." With twenty-seven prisoners, including the ship¡¯s executive officer, and valuable intel recovered, the teams returned to the Invincible. Cate watched the destruction of the Alliance ship through a viewport on her way to the bridge. The sight of the explosion brought back memories of a terrible mission a few years ago when she was with ASIS, a mission where there were unnecessary casualties. She asked herself, "Is this the future? More death and destruction?" The weight of leadership pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she resolved to see this through¡ªno matter the cost. The Battle for Vegema: PH6-88J, known to its people as Vegema, bore the scars of centuries of domination. Once a jewel in the Goa''uld¡¯s dominion, it suffered under Zafri, a minor lord serving Cronus. When Cronus fell, the Vegema were briefly free¡ªonly to fall under Ba¡¯al¡¯s grasp. Even after the Goa''uld¡¯s defeat, their suffering continued. The Ori, and later the Lucian Alliance, exploited the power vacuum. Briefly aligned with the Free Jaffa, the Vegema found hope, but it was fleeting. When Stargate Command turned its attention to the Destiny project, the Alliance swept in once more, forcing Stargate Command to respond with overwhelming force to liberate the planet. Now, Vegema was under threat again, its people trapped between their fledgling spacefaring ambitions and the Alliance¡¯s iron grip. A Fragile Respite The Invincible hung in orbit, her battered hull a testament to two brutal engagements with the Lucian Alliance. Repairs were underway, with engineers swarming over her decks, patching systems, and tending to their wounded pride. In a rare stroke of fortune, reinforcements arrived; Odyssey, Daedalus and Chekov, the Invincible¡¯s sister ship, their sleek forms emerging from hyperspace like avenging angels. Along with them came fresh personnel, including SG-2, 4, and 11. As additional engineers assisted the repairs, Captain Hudson was transferred to Daedalus¡¯ infirmary, his condition stable but critical. Elle, determined to maintain their momentum, met with Colonels Christian Di Palma and Ellis Kirby, with Captain Vidmar Kovacs, aboard Odyssey. The quartet, all veteran pilots, agreed on a decisive strategy: air superiority first. With General Landry¡¯s blessing, the plan unfolded; targeted strikes to cripple the Alliance¡¯s defences, minimizing civilian casualties. Meanwhile, sweeps revealed troubling intelligence. The Alliance had co-opted hidden Vegema technology, once shielded from the Goa''uld¡¯s grasp. Though primitive by Earth standards, the Vegema¡¯s nuclear missiles and supersonic fighters were now in Alliance hands, augmenting their defences. The battle would not be easily won. Dawn of the Offensive In the predawn darkness of Vegema¡¯s main continent, Plaxia, Alliance radar bunkers sprang to life. Technicians scrambled as alarms blared, their screens lighting up with incoming contacts. ¡°Incoming! Multiple bogeys; eighty-plus signatures!¡± shouted a frazzled radar operator. Commander Tirn, an Alliance officer overseeing planetary defences, strode into the bunker, his boots echoing on the metal floor. ¡°Activate all squadrons! Scramble fighters now! And get me telemetry on those ships!¡± Another officer interjected, ¡°Sir, these aren¡¯t Vegema craft. Their speed and formation suggest Earth ships.¡± Tirn¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°So, they¡¯ve come to play saviours again. Fine. Deploy ground-based SAMs and keep our fighters tight. They¡¯ll pay for every inch.¡± As orders were relayed, Vegema airbases roared to life. Alliance pilots sprinted to their commandeered fighters, engines screaming to readiness. Radar operators tracked the incoming waves, plotting intercept courses. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. First Blood Onboard Invincible, Cate checked her systems as her Buzzards ascended into position. ¡°Alright, Buzzards. Top cover until the first wave is through. Keep your eyes sharp.¡± From Odyssey¡¯s squadrons, the first strike teams peeled away, diving toward Alliance airfields. Bombs fell with precision, erupting into towering fireballs. Three key airfields were destroyed within minutes, their runways rendered useless. ¡°Buzzards, we¡¯ve got bandits six o¡¯clock!¡± called Captain Mark ¡°Batman¡± Kalowski, his tone sharp. Alliance fighters, cobbled together from Vegema¡¯s fleet, surged into the fray. Their pilots, skilled but hampered by outdated craft, fought with desperation. A savage dogfight erupted as Odyssey¡¯s squadrons engaged, the sky alight with tracers and explosions. Cate¡¯s Buzzards dove to intercept, their sleek F-302s outmanoeuvring the Alliance fighters. ¡°Kalowski, you¡¯re on my wing. We¡¯re taking these guys head-on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got your six, MacGregor,¡± he replied, his voice steady. ¡°Ghost, Viking, cover our flanks!¡± Cate ordered, her voice cutting through the comms. ¡°Roger that, Taipan,¡± replied 1st Lt. Juliette ¡°Ghost¡± Ramirez, her A-10 experience evident in her precise manoeuvres. ¡°Copy, Taipan. Viking on it,¡± added Lt. Anders ¡°Viking¡± McClaren, his F/A-18 and Tornado background making him a formidable force. The Buzzards tore through the enemy formation, their missiles finding targets with deadly precision. Within minutes, six Alliance fighters were downed. Odyssey¡¯s pilots, though valiant, weren¡¯t unscathed¡ªone pilot ejected after taking a critical hit. ¡°Buzzards, regroup! We¡¯ve still got a mission to complete,¡± Cate commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. As the Buzzards regrouped, the Thunderbolts from Chekov, led by Major Elanor Davis, took over as top cover. ¡°Thunderbolts, keep the skies clear. Let¡¯s show the Buzzards how it¡¯s done,¡± Davis ordered, a hint of rivalry in her voice. ¡°Roger that, Major,¡± came the confident reply from her squadron. Cate couldn¡¯t resist a retort. ¡°Just try not to get in our way, Davis. We¡¯ve got a mission to complete.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, MacGregor. We¡¯ll clean up your mess,¡± Elanor shot back, her tone playful yet competitive. Turning the Tide The battle raged for hours, a brutal back-and-forth that tested every pilot¡¯s skill and endurance. By the final phase, Earth¡¯s forces had gained the upper hand, striking Alliance radar and missile installations with precision. Cate¡¯s wing, now flying freelance, hunted targets of opportunity¡ªtrains, gun emplacements, and mobile SAMs. ¡°Angel, Nugget, stay sharp. We¡¯re going in low,¡± Cate instructed. ¡°Roger, Taipan,¡± replied Lt. Ariel ¡°Angel¡± Speckman, her resilience shining through as she threw her 302 around. ¡°Got it, Taipan,¡± echoed Ensign Francis ¡°Nugget¡± Bianchi, his nerves evident but determination unwavering. It was during one such sweep that disaster struck. Flying low over a rural sector, Cate¡¯s 302 took a hit from an unseen shoulder-launched missile. Warning lights flared as her systems failed. ¡°Damn it!¡± she shouted, wrestling with the controls. ¡°MacGregor, punch out!¡± Kalowski¡¯s voice crackled over the comm. With no other option, Cate ejected, her parachute deploying just in time. She landed roughly in a grain field, the tall stalks swallowing her from view. As she surveyed her surroundings, her frustration boiled over. ¡°Rookie mistake, MacGregor. Rookie mistake,¡± she muttered, kicking a nearby stalk in irritation. Rescue Mission Back in the skies, Major Elanor Davis quickly assessed the situation. ¡°Thunderbolts, we¡¯ve got a downed pilot. I want a CAP over the area where MacGregor bailed. Lightning, Boxer and Talon, you¡¯re with me.¡± ¡°Roger that, Major,¡± came the unified response. As they flew over the area, Elanor contacted Lt. Commander Neville ¡°Dusty¡± Dixon had returned to the Invincible. ¡°Dusty, we¡¯ve got eyes on MacGregor¡¯s last known position. We¡¯ll get her back, no matter the cost.¡± ¡°Thanks, Davis. Cate will go to ground. She¡¯ll only be found when the timing is right,¡± Dusty replied, his voice filled with gratitude and determination. Her knew her past and he knew how capable the Australian woman was. Did he have something for her? That was a hard question to answer, she¡¯d be a difficult woman to love. Reflections Dusty stood on the bridge with Elle, his gaze fixed on the smouldering remains of the Alliance ship, still visible through the viewport. Despite their victory, the cost weighed heavily on them. Turning, Elle gave the order to retrieve Cate. Meanwhile, Cate sat in the grain field, her helmet off and her hair dishevelled. She sighed, staring at the distant smoke trails of the ongoing battle. Memories of a past mission, one that ended in unnecessary loss, surfaced unbidden. ¡°You¡¯re bloody cursed, MacGregor,¡± she whispered to herself. ¡°Absolutely cursed.¡± The sound of rustling grain stalks interrupted her thoughts. Rescue was on its way, or was it capture? The Underground: The rustle of the grain stalks to her left made Cate turn sharply, instincts kicking in. The tall, golden plants were similar to wheat but stood unusually high. "Ssshhh!" came a hushed voice. Peering through the dense stalks, she spotted two children¡ªa girl around ten and a boy of similar age¡ªbeckoning her toward them. The distant bark of harsh male voices to the east sent a surge of urgency through her. Without hesitation, Cate crouched and scurried over to the children, prepared to whisper her thanks, but the girl swiftly held a single finger to her lips. Universal sign: Silence. They moved swiftly, weaving through the field in a zigzag pattern designed to throw off any pursuers. Five minutes later, they arrived at a small depression shielded by thick shrubbery. The girl crouched and pulled away the foliage, revealing a collection of equipment neatly tucked away¡ªCate¡¯s ready pack, her emergency survival kit, an M4 rifle, and an additional pack. They had retrieved everything from her downed 302¡¯s emergency compartment. Cate blinked. ¡°How did you¡ª?¡± ¡°We saw you come down. We knew the soldiers would be looking for your things,¡± the girl explained matter-of-factly. Before Cate could ask more, a rustling from the opposite side of the brush made her tense. A young man emerged¡ªsandy-haired, dressed in the same gear as her, though far more weathered and patched. He grinned, boyish enthusiasm lighting up his face. ¡°I saw you bail out. Hell of a fight you put up before they clipped you.¡± Cate sized him up, noting his lean build and the casual confidence in his stance. He extended a hand. ¡°James Doolittle.¡± Cate arched a brow. ¡°Doolittle? As in Jimmy Doolittle?¡± The young man¡¯s grin turned a bit shy. ¡°Yeah. He was my great-great-uncle.¡± Cate was about to reply when James abruptly handed her an old-fashioned pair of binoculars. ¡°I rigged your 302¡¯s self-destruct before they could get their hands on it.¡± Cate lifted the binoculars, scanning the horizon. About a kilometre and a half northeast, in a shallow ravine, she spotted her downed fighter. Several figures were moving toward it. Just as they neared, a massive explosion tore through the wreckage, sending a plume of fire and debris skyward. When the dust settled, bodies were strewn across the landscape. Cate exhaled sharply. ¡°Damn.¡± From above, the distant roar of engines drew her attention. A squadron of F-302s circled the area, one flying particularly low. The flash of lightning insignia on its tail confirmed it¡ªChekov¡¯s Thunderbolts. Relief flooded her. She reached for her emergency beacon, but James swiftly snatched it away. ¡°Sorry, but the Alliance can track that too.¡± He stuffed it back into her pack. Cate adjusted, grabbing her personal ready pack and motioning for James and the girl¡ªwho introduced herself as Allowyn¡ªto carry the remaining supplies. As they moved southwest through the fields, Cate discreetly reached into her pack, pulling out a compact mirror. She angled it toward the sun and flashed it three times. ___________________________________________________________________________ Above in F-302-127 Lt. JG Travis Riddick, patrolling in his fighter, caught the triple glint from below. His heart pounded. It was the signal they¡¯d been waiting for. Instinctively, he tilted his aircraft left, then right, twice, acknowledging receipt. He refrained from immediate radio contact¡ªif the Alliance was listening, they couldn''t afford to tip their hand. When his shift ended, Riddick returned to his ship, where he debriefed Captain Kovacs. ¡°Sir, I saw the signal,¡± he reported. ¡°Three flashes, clear as day. I confirmed with a tilt response.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Kovacs leaned forward, his expression grave yet hopeful. ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± ¡°Positive, sir.¡± A slow nod. ¡°Good work, Lieutenant.¡± Kovacs turned to an awaiting officer. ¡°Pass it along to Commander McFearson. Her girl is alive.¡± ___________________________________________________________________________ A Moment of Reflection A signals officer hurried up to Elle, handing her a freshly decrypted note from the Chekov. She scanned it quickly¡ªconfirmation from Captain Kovacs. A broad smile spread across her face. Cate was alive. Within minutes, the news spread like wildfire through the Invincible. The reaction was immediate. Cheers echoed through the corridors, whoops and yells from every deck. Pilots clapped each other on the back, engineers let out triumphant shouts, even the most battle-hardened officers grinned at the news. For the first time since Cate went down, there was hope. Eventually, the excitement began to settle, replaced by quiet determination. The mission wasn¡¯t over. Cate was still out there. Elle walked slowly down one of the Invincible¡¯s long passageways, her hands loosely clasped behind her back. The hum of the ship, the occasional echo of boots on metal, accompanied her steps. In her head, a melody played¡ªAve Maria, soft and distant, as though carried on a breeze from another time, another place. She wasn¡¯t sure where she was going at first, only that something was pulling her forward. It wasn¡¯t until she reached the chapel doors that she understood. Inside, the lighting was dim, a quiet sanctuary amidst the steel and circuitry of the warship. The faint scent of aged wood and candle wax lingered in the air, though the flames had long since been replaced with soft electric light. Elle paused just inside, letting her eyes adjust. She wasn¡¯t alone. A single figure sat in the front pew, his head bowed, elbows on his knees, hands loosely clasped. Dusty. She approached slowly, her boots barely making a sound against the deck plating. When she reached the pew, she turned slightly and spoke, her voice gentle. "Mind if I join you?" Dusty lifted his head, surprised, then gave a small, tired smile. "Yeah. Sure, Commander." Elle slid into the pew beside him, settling in. For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn¡¯t uncomfortable. It was filled with something else¡ªthoughts, prayers, maybe even unspoken fears. Finally, Elle broke the stillness. "It¡¯s good news. We know where she is now." Dusty let out a breath, rubbing his hands together. "Yeah. Yeah, it is." His voice was rough, like he¡¯d been holding something in too long. "I just... I wish we could go in now. Get her out. But we can¡¯t rush it. Not yet." "We will," Elle assured him. "And Cate can take care of herself. She¡¯s tough. You saw how she handled those bogeys before she went down." Dusty gave a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah. She¡¯s a hell of a pilot." He hesitated, then added quietly, "She didn¡¯t deserve this." Elle turned slightly, watching him. "No, she didn¡¯t." A pause. "You care about her." Another pause. ¡°A lot?¡± Dusty tensed slightly but covered it quickly. "God, no¡ªCommander, I barely know her." He said it too fast, too stiffly. Elle smiled faintly. "You¡¯re a terrible liar, Dixon." Dusty exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. He didn¡¯t argue, but he didn¡¯t confirm it either. Instead, he leaned back against the pew, staring at the altar ahead, lost in thought. Elle let it go, shifting the conversation instead. "We still have a mission ahead. Cate¡¯s just one piece of it. We have to find the missing scientists, the Gamma team... there are a lot of people counting on us." Dusty nodded slowly. "I know." A comfortable silence settled between them again. After a while, Elle lowered her head, clasping her hands together in her lap. Dusty did the same. They didn¡¯t say anything, didn¡¯t need to. They just sat there, in the quiet glow of the chapel, lost in their own thoughts¡ªpraying, hoping. Waiting. ___________________________________________________________________________ The Underground After nearly an hour of trudging through relentless heat¡ªCate estimating the temperature at least 35¡ãC¡ªshe finally asked, ¡°How much further?¡± ¡°Not far,¡± Allowyn chirped. ¡°Maybe another hour.¡± Cate sighed, wiping sweat from her brow. She was still in her G-suit, which felt like wearing an oven. James, whose own flight suit had been destroyed when his 302 was lost, had already cut the sleeves off his makeshift attire. Cate found a small clearing among some bushes and turned to the group. ¡°I need to change. Don¡¯t peek, boys.¡± James chuckled, turning away with exaggerated innocence. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡± Ally stayed to help Cate and gasped when she saw the scars on her back¡ªraised, whip-like marks. ¡°What happened to you?¡± the girl whispered. Cate hesitated before sighing. ¡°Long story. If we have time, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Feeling more comfortable in her desert-cam BDUs, Cate adjusted her sidearm and handed the M4 to James. The group pressed on, eventually arriving at what remained of a farmhouse. The main building was a burned-out husk, but the barn was still intact. The children led them inside, past stacks of tools and old equipment. Cate was about to ask what next when Pharam, the boy, approached a hulking old threshing machine. With a heave, he lifted a concealed panel at its base, revealing a hidden passage. A metal staircase descended into darkness, lit by caged wall lamps that looked like something out of the 1960s. ¡°Oh wow,¡± Cate breathed, exchanging a look with James. The tunnel stretched straight at first before winding in unexpected directions. The only sound was their footsteps, but gradually, a distant hum reached them¡ªvoices, machinery. They emerged into a massive underground space, part bunker, part factory. Teenagers¡ªsome no older than fifteen¡ªworked on weaponry, assembling rifles, grenades, shoulder-mounted launchers. Cate''s stomach turned. Had one of them shot her down? ¡°Did one of you fire on my 302?¡± she asked cautiously. A boy shook his head. ¡°No. The Alliance stole our technology. They¡¯re lazy and corrupt. They take, but they don¡¯t build.¡± Another child scoffed, ¡°They¡¯re worse than rats. At least rats don¡¯t burn your home and kill your family.¡± Cate listened as they spoke of their origins¡ªdescendants of people taken from Earth two thousand years ago, specifically from a place called Wales. Their ancestors had resisted their Goa¡¯uld oppressor, Morrigan, and had built these tunnels in secret over 1,500 years ago. James frowned. ¡°And you never fought back?¡± ¡°We always fight back,¡± a girl replied, her voice tinged with steel. ¡°But we never had the numbers.¡± Cate¡¯s heart clenched. ¡°Where are your parents?¡± Silence. They passed through another chamber, this one humming with radio transmissions and strategic plotting. At the centre of it all stood a young woman, tall, with golden hair pinned back. Her presence radiated authority, her eyes sharp and intelligent. She turned, meeting Cate¡¯s gaze. ¡°My name is Allienna,¡± she announced, her voice carrying weight beyond her years. ¡°Daughter of Morrigan.¡± Cate¡¯s breath caught. The room fell silent. This just got a hell of a lot more complicated. The Underground – Part 2: They passed through another chamber, this one humming with radio transmissions and strategic plotting. At the centre of it all stood a young woman¡ªtall, with golden hair pinned back. Her presence radiated authority, her eyes sharp and intelligent. She turned, meeting Cate¡¯s gaze. ¡°My name is Allienna,¡± she announced, her voice carrying weight beyond her years. ¡°Daughter of Morrigan.¡± Cate¡¯s breath caught. The room fell silent. This just got a hell of a lot more complicated. ________________________________________________________________________ The rifle in James¡¯ hands came up faster than Cate could react. Her training screamed at her to do the same, but something made her hesitate. A feeling¡ªodd, unshakable. Not quite certainty, not quite instinct, but something deeper. This girl¡ªno, this Goa¡¯uld¡ªdidn¡¯t radiate the suffocating presence she¡¯d always been warned about. No arrogance, no cruelty. Just¡­ stillness. ¡°Easy, Jimbo. Easy.¡± Cate pushed the barrel of his weapon down with her left hand, her voice measured. ¡°You¡¯d best start talking fast¡­ Allienna?¡± Cate¡¯s voice faltered slightly. Every protocol in her head told her to strike first. Yet, that feeling remained. The endless SGC briefings, the footage of possessed hosts, all the nightmare fuel that came with fighting the Goa¡¯uld¡ªit didn¡¯t match this. Allienna stepped forward, and James immediately shifted, angling himself between her and Cate. A protective move, a damn good one, but Cate caught his sleeve before he could go further. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said, quietly but firmly. James¡¯ jaw clenched. ¡°You sure?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± To seal the deal, Cate took another step forward and extended her hand. If she was wrong, she¡¯d know soon enough. Allienna¡¯s hands clasped around hers¡ªwarm, steady, deliberate. Not the overpowering grip of a parasite-infested being lording over a host. ¡°Come, sit. You must be in need of food and drink.¡± Her accent was smooth, precise¡ªEnglish? Something close. Again, that strange dissonance. The voice of a queen, but the dress of a simple country girl. A wave of her hand, and behind her, a table came into view, cluttered with maps and military reports. And chairs¡ªsturdy, mismatched, taken from different homes. Some wooden, others metal, all well-worn but functional. Cate took it all in. The quiet murmur of voices beyond the chamber, the scent of aged paper and something faintly herbal in the air. The tension in James¡¯ shoulders hadn¡¯t eased, but he followed as Cate moved toward the table. James pulled out a plain steel chair, his movements stiff. Cate chose a wooden chair, its pastel green paint chipped from years of use. She sat. And the real conversation began. ________________________________________________________________________ By the look in James¡¯ eyes, Cate could tell he was hooked. Smitten. And sinking fast. The conversation cantered around introductions, Allienna making the admission that she was not Goa¡¯uld, though she was host to a symbiote¡ªone she called a Tok¡¯ra. Cate vaguely recalled the Tok¡¯ra from her SGC briefings before she was let loose on the fleet. Unlike their parasitic cousins, the Tok¡¯ra had spent millennia working to bring down the Goa¡¯uld. And when Earth got involved, the fight had finally turned in their favour. ¡°We could not have eliminated the System Lords and their lackeys without the help of Earth,¡± Allienna said, leaning forward slightly. ¡°And everyone knows that. Including the Alliance.¡± James¡¯ smile went from charming to ridiculous. Cate shook her head. ¡°That left a vacuum,¡± she said. ¡°Didn¡¯t take much for them to step in, did it?¡± It wasn¡¯t really a question. Allienna nodded, sighing. ¡°I suppose it was inevitable. The galaxy was still reeling from the Ori incursion¡ªweak, vulnerable. The Alliance seized the moment because they never truly opposed the Ori. They faked allegiance, bided their time, and when the Ori fell, they were in the perfect position to take over.¡± Cate pushed aside a plate of ridiculously sweet biscuits, her patience fraying. ¡°Look, Allienna, I¡¯m sorry, but James and I need to find a way to contact our ship. We need to get back, if that¡¯s even possible.¡± Allienna held up a hand, her posture as composed as a monarch calling for order. ¡°It is in hand, Commander. Even as we speak, your people are being contacted.¡± Cate and James exchanged a glance. How? The planet was crawling with Alliance forces. Their flights over the surface during the first phase of the attacks had confirmed it¡ªradio transmissions were being monitored. ________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Try it again!¡± Elle¡¯s patience had been stretched to its limit. Normally calm under pressure, the loss of even one person from her ship cut deep. She¡¯d been in contact with Vidmar Kovacs on the Chekov¡ªthey weren¡¯t having any better luck. They could locate Cate and James¡¯ personal signals, but something was jamming their ability to beam them aboard. Every attempt had failed. ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡± The quiet voice belonged to Major Mike Bailey. Elle turned, irritation plain on her face. ¡°What is it, Bailey?¡± Bailey swallowed. He¡¯d served with Stargate Command since his days as a second lieutenant and had been on Daedalus¡¯ commissioning crew. He knew better than to waste her time. ¡°Back when I was on Daedalus under Colonel Caldwell, we were trying to extract SG-1 from a planet under Ba¡¯al¡¯s control. He had some kind of beaming jammer. Could the Alliance have gotten hold of that tech?¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Elle stared at him for half a second before making a sound of pure frustration. ¡°For Christ¡¯s sake, why didn¡¯t you say so an hour ago?¡± Bailey had the good sense not to answer. Elle snapped her comm on. ¡°Novak!¡± Two decks below, Lindsey Novak nearly jumped as Elle¡¯s voice crackled through the speakers. ¡°Uh¡ªyes, Commander, I¡¯m here,¡± she replied, her nervousness evident. ¡°Can we scan for Goa¡¯uld tech? The Alliance is jamming our beaming systems, and we¡¯ve got two people stuck down there.¡± Novak exhaled. ¡°We can, Commander. It¡¯ll take a little time, but we can.¡± A junior officer looked up from her console. ¡°Commander, all four ships just received an encrypted transmission.¡± Elle snapped around. ¡°Decrypt it.¡± A moment later, the officer read aloud. ¡°MacGregor and Doolittle safe in hand. Do not attempt rescue. Wait until you are contacted again.¡± She paused. ¡°It¡¯s signed Colonel Cameron Mitchell.¡± Elle barely had time to process it before her comm activated again. ¡°Commander McFearson.¡± The voice of Colonel Vincent di Palma of the Daedalus filled the bridge. ¡°Did you receive the same transmission?¡± ¡°I did,¡± Elle confirmed. ¡°The encryption code matches the latest update¡ªonly someone from Earth would know it.¡± There was a pause. ¡°So, we wait,¡± Di Palma said reluctantly. ¡°For now.¡± ________________________________________________________________________ Twenty kilometres northwest of the city, a flat ledge jutted over a rocky valley, offering a commanding view of the landscape below. A dozen teenagers, heavily armed and clad in uniforms reminiscent of the US Marine Woodland Combat Utility Uniform, stood guard. Among them, five adults¡ªdistinct in their US Army Multicam gear¡ªwere packing up equipment into two rugged cases. ¡°Think they got it, Sam?¡± Colonel Cameron Mitchell asked, eyeing the subspace communications array with a healthy dose of scepticism. Technology had never been his best friend¡ªat least, not until it had been tested a thousand times over. Sam Carter glanced at the field station¡¯s display, the faintest of satisfied smiles crossing her face. ¡°The received ping was clear, so yes.¡± This was only the second time the portable station had been deployed, its coded messages nearly impossible for enemy forces to intercept. The tech still had its flaws¡ªclunky, temperamental¡ªbut it worked. ¡°We should move,¡± Vala Mal Doran murmured, standing near the outcrop¡¯s edge, her sharp eyes fixed on the movements below. A teenage girl, no older than sixteen, stood beside her, rifle at the ready. ¡°They¡¯re returning to their base,¡± she said. ¡°We should have a window before the next patrol.¡± ¡°Just the same, Vala,¡± Daniel Jackson said from where he crouched behind Mitchell, folding up the antenna, ¡°I¡¯d feel better if you stepped back.¡± Vala sighed dramatically but did as he suggested, while Sam stretched with a slight groan. ¡°I don¡¯t trust anything the Alliance does. Routine patrols aren¡¯t always routine. Sometimes they just want to see if they can catch someone off guard.¡± ¡°I concur, Colonel Carter.¡± Teal¡¯c¡¯s deep voice rumbled as he scanned the horizon, his massive frame shifting slightly. His eyes narrowed. ¡°We think we can predict what they will¡ª¡± Gunfire erupted. The first burst of automatic fire came from the east, cutting through Teal¡¯c¡¯s words like a blade. A sharp cry followed¡ªa young fighter went down hard, clutching his thigh as blood darkened the fabric beneath his hands. ¡°Contact left!¡± Mitchell shouted. ¡°Move! Move, move!¡± The ledge exploded into chaos. The teenagers scattered, returning fire in disciplined bursts, their training evident despite their age. Daniel was already moving toward the injured boy, dropping to his knees beside him. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be okay,¡± he said, pressing his hand against the wound. The kid¡¯s face was pale, his breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. More rounds ricocheted off the rocks, kicking up dust. Vala fired three quick shots from her sidearm before ducking behind cover. ¡°I hate when they shoot first,¡± she muttered. Teal¡¯c was already in position, his staff weapon sending searing bolts of plasma toward the attackers. ¡°We must withdraw,¡± he said, calm as ever despite the hail of bullets around them. ¡°Agreed,¡± Carter called out, swapping her rifle to full auto and laying down covering fire. ¡°We can¡¯t stay here!¡± Mitchell grabbed one of the cases, throwing it over his shoulder. ¡°Daniel, we gotta go!¡± ¡°Working on it!¡± Daniel growled, ripping a field dressing from his vest and securing it around the wounded kid¡¯s leg. ¡°We need a minute!¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have a minute!¡± Mitchell snapped back. More bullets whipped overhead. Another teenager returned fire, shouting something in a language Mitchell didn¡¯t recognise. Carter¡¯s earpiece crackled to life. ¡°They¡¯re flanking from the right!¡± One of the scouts had spotted movement through the trees. Mitchell clenched his jaw. ¡°That¡¯s it¡ªfall back into the trees! Teal¡¯c, cover our retreat!¡± The Jaffa warrior unleashed another round of staff fire, forcing the enemy to take cover as the group scrambled away from the ledge. Daniel hauled the injured fighter to his feet, supporting most of his weight. ¡°They¡¯re shifting position¡ªmove now!¡± Carter ordered. Vala fired one last shot before turning on her heel. ¡°I liked that spot. Shame we had to leave.¡± The team melted into the forest, the sounds of gunfire fading as they moved swiftly between the trees, disappearing into the shadows. ________________________________________________________________________ Back in the underground chamber, Allienna¡¯s gaze remained steady. ¡°You must be patient. There is someone you need to meet.¡± Another door opened. SG-1 stepped into the chamber. Cate and James froze. Cate¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°How?¡± Mitchell offered her a knowing grin. ¡°Long story.¡± Teal¡¯c inclined his head. ¡°You will not be returning to your ships any time soon.¡± James frowned. ¡°Why?¡± Daniel adjusted his glasses. ¡°Because we need your help.¡± Cate exhaled. ¡°What kind of help?¡± Teal¡¯c¡¯s response was simple. ¡°To train an army.¡± ________________________________________________________________________ It will go down in history as the longest moment in which Cate had kept her mouth shut. She was looking at SG-1 incredulously, they were dusty, sweaty and she had caught a glimpse of a group of teenagers dressed for battle moving in another section beyond the door. Finally, she began to work her jaw. ¡°Colonel Carter, James and I have been here just over an hour, in that time we¡¯ve been told where to go, what to do and when to do it. As individuals, we know nothing about this world, other than it¡¯s been held by the Lucian Alliance and they most likely have the people from the Gamma site captive.¡± She stood abruptly. ¡°We find ourselves surrounded by kids, led by a young woman¡­¡± Her blue eyes met those of Allienna¡¯s, ¡°¡­who isn¡¯t much older than this little army. We¡¯re told we can¡¯t go back to our ships and now you want us to train an army?¡± Her face was reddening somewhat, on Cate that looked ridiculous. Sam started to speak; she was cut off as Cate carried on. For some reason beyond military protocol, she allowed her to continue. Even Cam held back. Teal¡¯c merely raised an eyebrow, Vala sat as if she was listening in to some juicy gossip. While Daniel disappeared somewhere into the greater chamber. James was looking everywhere else possible. ¡°To begin with Colonels, with all due respect, we¡¯re pilots, not soldiers and damn it! Could we please know just a little about this world and why we¡¯re doing this!¡± Her rage cooled, she sat down with a force, the wooden chair squeaked loudly. You could hear the sigh, just before Samantha answered her. ¡°Very well then.¡± Sam started by introductions, she was aware that, that courtesy should have come much earlier. ¡°SG-1 was tasked a week ago to seek out rebel elements of the Lucian Alliance, those opposing the current regime. We met one contact to begin with, he told us to come here to meet another four.¡± Her face saddened as she looked down. Cam picked up the end of Sam¡¯s story. ¡°We came by cloaked Tel¡¯tak, courtesy of Bra¡¯tac; he dropped us off west of the city, we made our way to where we were to meet our contacts at night, a house just on the outskirts. By the time we got there, the place had been torched and there was no sign of anyone.¡± He twisted his neck left and right, relieving a little arthritis. ¡°We thought about it for ten minutes, then decided to leave. Our rendezvous with Bra¡¯tac wasn¡¯t for twenty-four hours, so we figured we¡¯d do some scouting.¡± Vala wanted some of the action then. ¡°That didn¡¯t work out well did it Cameron?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Teal¡¯c chipped in. Sam Carter took the conversation up again. ¡°We had only just left where the house stood, we started heading east. I think it was only about fifty metres when we heard shouts. We turned and saw men with flashlights and dogs heading our way, they were close. We started to run, we knew the edge of the forest was a good 100 metres further. We passed the last house in the block when Allienna appeared with some of her soldiers.¡± Sam emphasised the word, it meant something. ¡°They guided us into another burnt out house, although there was more of it standing; we heard a click, part of the floor opened and here we were.¡± ¡°Well, that explains how and why you¡¯re here Colonel. But I still would like to know more about you¡­¡± She turned again to Allienna. ¡°¡­and this world of kids. Are there any adults? We asked before and was met with silence. The young woman bowed her head, then looked up again, when she spoke, it was in that strange alien voice of the Goa¡¯uld and Tok¡¯ra. A voice that so far Cate had only heard by watching video recordings made by the SGC. She told her own story, how her mother Morrigan feared her child would be taken from her, a child fathered not by another Goa¡¯uld, but by a mere ordinary man she fell in love with. They knew what Allenna¡¯s fate would be and kept her hidden for as long as possible. Then she heard of Earth¡¯s exposure to the Goa¡¯uld via Apophis. Morrigan and her lover soon festered an idea, they would take the child to Earth, find suitable foster parents to raise her and when the time came, she knew her daughter would take up the sword figuratively speaking, to oppose the Goa¡¯uld. At this juncture James spoke up. ¡°We were instructed on all the System Lords back in the SGC, Morrigan was one of them, I don¡¯t understand how she could want her daughter to oppose those, who she was one of?¡± Cate wanted to know the answer to that question. It made no sense to her. ¡°What you say is true. My mother has been a System Lord for centuries and a terrible monster she was. That was until a year before Earth opened their Stargate, my mother felt a change in her, she didn¡¯t know what it was. At first, she panicked, but then she accepted it and just like Egeria before her, she turned on the Goa¡¯uld. I have to say this, she walks a fine line now; for while the old System Lords are gone, there will be new ones to take their place.¡± Allienna told them about the people here, how she came to them wanting to help rid their world of the Alliance tyranny. A question Cate wanted to know earlier, where were the adults of this world. Those who didn¡¯t oppose the Alliance, at least openly, lived. But their lives were as virtual slaves. Vegema was rich in Trinium, gold and platinum, all highly valuable and all needed to build ships. The adults worked the mines; those under sixteen, they told their enslavers they had sent away. This was the status quo and now it was up to the children to create that army to dislodge the Alliance and rid this world of them. Cate let out a sharp breath, shaking her head in disbelief. ¡°So let me get this straight¡ªyou¡¯ve got a planet full of enslaved adults, and the only ones fighting back are kids?¡± Her voice held a hard edge, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. ¡°And you expect us to train them?¡± James exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face as he absorbed the enormity of what Allienna had just revealed. ¡°How many fighters do you actually have? What kind of training do they even have?¡± His voice was calmer, but tense. ¡°If you want to take on the Lucian Alliance, it¡¯s not just about numbers. You need strategy, supply lines, intelligence... Do you have that?¡± Cate crossed her arms, her expression unreadable as she studied the young woman before her. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about fighting, is it?¡± she muttered. ¡°It¡¯s about survival.¡± Choices Choices: Recruit School. Cate and James had accepted the reality¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t be getting back to their respective ships anytime soon. Instead, they found themselves assigned accommodations, which turned out to be quite the surprise. Space was in short supply, and the rooms, once designed for perhaps two adults, now housed anywhere between four and six people. ¡°This is sector 12b.¡± the youngster told Cate and James, as if it meant something important. ¡°Everyone of us is assigned to accommodation sectors, so we know where everyone is. If you¡¯re not on duty, please remain within your sector.¡± The girl was no more than eleven and here she was ordering a pair of adults about. ¡°Wow!¡± James exclaimed, his ever-present smile, broad across his face. ¡°I¡¯d hate to marry her, could you imagine how bossy she¡¯s gonna be when she gets older?¡± Turning her head slightly, blonde hair falling from her shoulder, reminded Cate she needed to get it cut soon. ¡°Nothing wrong with bossy in a woman!¡± She quipped. ¡°How else are we going to keep you men in line?¡± All James could do was just stare at her as if she had two heads. It did make him grin a little wider. ¡°This is a joke, right?¡± James had muttered when they first walked into their respective rooms. That was thirty minutes ago. Cate had given him a knowing smirk. ¡°Welcome to the chaos.¡± The Aussie saw things a little differently. ¡°Think of it this way Jimbo, this will give you and insight to your future. Or turn you off ever wanting to have kids.¡± Her laughter was infectious. What followed was an absolute rollercoaster of a situation¡ªtwo seasoned military officers thrown into a dormitory with a group of energetic, disciplined, but undeniably youthful recruits. Cate¡¯s new quarters placed her with three teenage girls¡ªtwo fourteen-year-olds and a sixteen-year-old. From the start the three girls glued themselves to the much older woman. Whether it was her seemingly youthful looks, Cate couldn¡¯t answer to that. These three simply adopted her as a big sister from the start and treated her as much. The first shock was when fourteen-year-old Wynn casually wondered into the bathroom and began chatting with Cate nonchalantly while she was having a shower. As if it was nothing out of the ordinary. The sweetest thing though was their never-ending curiosity about her. Wanting to know everything, from where she grew up, her schooling and most importantly, her boyfriends. ¡°You are just so beautiful.¡± Said Tyra, the other fourteen-year-old. ¡°Surely you had a lot of boyfriends. Or at least a lot of boys wanting to be with you.¡± Cate looked at each girl one by one. They were all sitting on the floor cross legged, she¡¯d only been with them an hour. ¡°Well¡­¡± She started awkwardly. ¡°¡­not really. I was one those kids we call geeks back on Earth. You know, ever since I was much younger than you three, I wanted to know everything. I had to read, study computers and science.¡± The girls sat there wide eyed. ¡°I never really had much time for boys. Although there was one¡­¡± No, she wasn¡¯t about to bring that memory back. ¡°Aww, come on Cate, you can tell us.¡± Morena demanded, more like a six-year-old than the sixteen years she carried. Biting her bottom lip a little, then sucking in her breath, Cate did tell them. They way she told them served as a warning, don¡¯t fall for the first boy that melts your heart, because often as she found out as an eighteen-year-old cadet at the academy, they will try to take advantage of you. The three girls much to her surprise, understood. James, on the other hand, found himself bunking with three fifteen-year-old boys and another sixteen-year-old. If Cate felt a little odd being a big sister to three teens, how would she have felt being addressed as Aunty? As in James¡¯ case, he was now the official dorm uncle¡ªnot just for 11/12b, but for the whole section. He wasn¡¯t sure whether to be happy or embarrassed about that. After lights-out, the boys settled into their bunks, but as expected, no one was actually going to sleep just yet. James could hear the hushed whispers between them¡ªsomething about an upcoming training session, some rivalry between dorms, and then a long discussion on whose turn it was to steal extra rations from the kitchens. He chuckled. ¡°Y¡¯know, if you boys spent half as much effort on learning tactics as you do on plotting snack heists, you¡¯d be running this place.¡± The nearest bunk creaked as Daryn, the oldest of the group, rolled onto his side. ¡°That¡¯s tactics, Uncle James. Gotta keep the troops fed.¡± ¡°Oh-Ho, so now I¡¯m Uncle James, huh?¡± ¡°It was that or Grandpa,¡± one of the younger ones piped up from across the room. James groaned. ¡°I¡¯m twenty-eight. Twenty-eight! That is not old.¡± There was some muffled laughter, but the conversation shifted gears soon enough. ¡°Hey, Uncle James,¡± said Eron, the most talkative of the bunch. ¡°What¡¯s Earth music like? Is it true you got millions of songs? Like... more than we could listen to in a lifetime?¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± James sat up a little. ¡°We got music from every part of the world, every culture, every style you can imagine. But me? I¡¯m a country boy.¡± ¡°Country?¡± Daryn sounded sceptical. ¡°Like, farming songs?¡± ¡°Not just farming¡ªthough, yeah, sometimes farming. It¡¯s about life, love, loss¡­ and sometimes, drinking beer on a tailgate.¡± That earned a round of confused looks. James sighed. ¡°Alright, lemme think. Ah! Boot Scootin¡¯ Boogie¡ªnow that¡¯s a classic.¡± ¡°Boot what?¡± ¡°Boogie. Boot Scootin¡¯ Boogie.¡± ¡°Is that some kind of Earth combat manoeuvre?¡± James laughed so hard he nearly fell off his bunk. ¡°No, but that¡¯s the best thing I¡¯ve heard all day. It¡¯s a song. A damn good one. Back home, they play it in bars and honky-tonks, and people get up and dance in these perfectly timed steps¡ªline dancing, we call it.¡± The silence that followed was almost reverent. ¡°You have choreographed bar fights?¡± Eron asked, utterly fascinated. James shook his head, grinning. ¡°Not fights, dancing.¡± Daryn frowned. ¡°But bars are where you drink and brawl, right?¡± ¡°Only in the bad ones,¡± James admitted. ¡°The good ones? You grab a partner, you two-step across the floor, and if you do it right, maybe she gives you her number at the end of the night.¡± That got a round of intrigued murmurs. ¡°So, this¡­ Boot Scootin¡¯ Boogie song,¡± said one of the younger boys. ¡°It¡¯s about this dancing?¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Well¡­ kinda. It¡¯s about blowing off steam after a long work week. Work hard, play hard.¡± James tapped the side of his bunk thoughtfully. ¡°Y¡¯know, I¡¯m gonna teach you boys some of these songs. If we¡¯re stuck together for a while, you might as well learn how to properly cut loose.¡± There was a pause. ¡°Does it involve yelling?¡± James smirked. ¡°Some of ¡¯em do.¡± That got an enthusiastic response, and just like that, the boys had a new reason to stay up too late learning about Earth¡¯s finest country music. James wasn¡¯t sure how much they¡¯d actually take to it, but if he had any say in it, by the time he got back to Earth, there¡¯d be a group of Vegemahan recruits singing Neon Moon under alien stars. But despite the initial shock, the recruits turned out to be easy to work with. These Vegemahan kids had already been instilled with a deep sense of discipline under Allienna¡¯s tutelage. __________________________________________________________________________ Revelation: Cate started spending a lot of time with the young woman. During one of their late-night discussions, Allienna shared pieces of her past¡ªhow she had been almost twelve when arrangements were finally made to get her out. ¡°Morrigan found a family in Britain,¡± Allienna explained, her voice tinged with both fondness and amusement. ¡°They didn¡¯t need much convincing to take me in. Of course, they had no idea who I really was. Morrigan spun this whole story about her being an illegal migrant from Georgia and she needed her English born daughter to stay, while she sorted out her life back home. Complete with an accent, mind you.¡± Cate laughed. ¡°She put that much effort into it?¡± ¡°Oh, it gets better. She and her partner even forged documents, snuck into a government office, and had me officially registered as a British citizen. Alexandra Armstrong, born and raised.¡± Cate raised an eyebrow. ¡°They went to all that trouble when they could have just contacted Stargate Command?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Allienna grinned. ¡°But Morrigan always had a flair for the dramatic.¡± The story continued¡ªhow Allienna had made her way through the British military system, getting into Sandhurst, training as a helicopter pilot, and ensuring she caught the eye of the Stargate Program¡¯s talent scouts. She had even managed to manipulate her assignment, steering it away from Atlantis and toward an SG team instead. Cate shook her head. ¡°You¡¯ve got nerve, I¡¯ll give you that.¡± ¡°It worked.¡± Allienna shrugged. ¡°For a while, anyway. Until PW7-25H.¡± The conversation took a more sombre turn as Allienna recounted the mission that led to her being listed as MIA. But Cate didn¡¯t push¡ªsome wounds took longer to heal than others. She figured it for herself though, the girl must have made her way back home, her mother¡¯s home. ¡°One day you must tell me about the Tok¡¯ra, all I know is from the SGC manuals.¡± ¡°Oh, I will, I will.¡± Allienna assured her. ___________________________________________________________________________ Partners: In the following days, priorities became clear. Gathering intelligence was at the top of the list. One evening, Cate sat in a quiet corner of the common room, running through a handwritten log of numbers. James sat down beside her, nodding toward the page. ¡°You reading yourself a bedtime story?¡± ¡°Just trying to make sense of it all,¡± Cate replied, rubbing her temple. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see. Number of fifteen to sixteen-year-olds? Three thousand, five hundred.¡± James let out a low whistle. ¡°That¡¯s a hell of a lot of teenagers.¡± Cate continued, ¡°Total number of kids in the refuge? Ten thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine.¡± James leaned back. ¡°And we¡¯re supposed to train them all?¡± ¡°No, but we need to know what we¡¯re working with.¡± Cate flipped the page. ¡°The underground network is massive. I swear, I¡¯ve gotten lost in it three times already.¡± ¡°You? Lost?¡± James smirked. ¡°I refuse to believe it.¡± Cate shot him a glare before reading aloud. ¡°It¡¯s the size of the city above. Some of the tunnels even use old underground rail systems. Allienna says they could shelter up to twenty thousand people if necessary.¡± ¡°Damn.¡± James frowned. ¡°And how many enemy forces are in the area?¡± ¡°Alliance personnel?¡± Cate tapped her finger against the page. ¡°Estimates put them around twenty-five to thirty thousand.¡± James exhaled. ¡°We¡¯re outnumbered.¡± ¡°No kidding.¡± Cate flipped to another section of notes. ¡°The population of Plaxia before the last invasion was nine hundred thousand. Two-thirds either fled or were killed. Many of the younger kids were sent to settlements on Bardika or Avilion¡­ erm, they¡¯re across the ocean to the west.¡± James shook his head. ¡°War never changes.¡± Cate didn¡¯t respond right away. She just continued reading. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s talk weapons. We¡¯ve got two thousand three hundred assault rifles, four thousand automatic pistols, eight hundred and fifty light machine guns¡­¡± ¡°Hold up,¡± James interrupted. ¡°We¡¯re actually listing these off like we¡¯re checking a grocery list?¡± Cate smirked. ¡°Want to take turns?¡± James rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine. Heavy machine guns, about two hundred and twenty. And apparently, we¡¯ve got enough grenades, and mortar rounds to make even the Marines nervous.¡± Cate nodded. ¡°Artillery and armour are available, but we¡¯re not focusing on that just yet.¡± James set the notes aside. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± ¡°Assessment of the recruits.¡± Cate sighed. ¡°And finding leaders among them.¡± ¡°That should be interesting.¡± James grinned. ¡°Teenagers, leadership positions, and live ammunition. What could possibly go wrong?¡± ___________________________________________________________________________ And so it begins: The training began, with SG-1 assisting for three days before having to depart. At the end of the first week, another message was sent to the ships, assuring them of the safety of Cate and James¡ªthis time, it was Cate who sent the transmission. After ten days, the Invincible¡¯s senior scientist, Lindsey Novak, managed to hack the Alliance beaming jammer, allowing for more direct assistance. Additional training support came from the ship¡¯s Marine and SF components, though the age of their new recruits was the biggest surprise. By the end of six weeks, Cate, James, and several officers now on hand believed that some of the recruit classes were ready to strike a blow against the Alliance. None of the adults wanted this. Discussions at length were held, many arguing how wrong it was to send children into potential death. While Cate and James had already grappled with this issue when they first arrived, it was ultimately the kids themselves who demonstrated their readiness and the necessity of their involvement. Cate was reminded of her great-grandfather, Alexander¡ªwho had faked his age to enlist in the Great War at barely fourteen years old. Another dilemma the Tauri faced was the argument aboard the three remaining ships regarding the use of orbital bombardment. The Daedalus had departed with SG-1 to garner support from the Free Jaffa, leaving the debate to unfold among the remaining crews. Elle was at the centre of it, vehemently opposing the tactic. ¡°You cannot guarantee collateral damage will be kept to a minimum!¡± Elle shouted, standing toe-to-toe with Colonel Di Palma. ¡°The last time someone tried this, residual radiation lasted for decades!¡± Colonel Di Palma folded his arms. ¡°We¡¯re not talking about glassing the entire damn planet, Commander.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be glassing anything! This isn¡¯t a video game¡­these are people!¡± Captain Kovacs pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Elle¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®Elle¡¯ me, Captain! You want to tell me what a directed naquadah-enhanced payload does to an urban centre? Because I can tell you!¡± Di Palma sighed. ¡°Commander¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t take orders from you!¡± Elle snapped. ¡°Either of you, actually! So don¡¯t ¡®Commander¡¯ me either!¡± The room fell silent. A few officers exchanged glances, some trying to suppress grins. Kovacs cleared his throat. ¡°Okay, first off, that¡¯s not how the chain of command works¡ª¡± ¡°And second,¡± Di Palma added, ¡°while you may be an insubordinate pain in the ass, you do have a point.¡± Elle blinked. ¡°Wait. What?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll revisit the bombardment strategy. Limited strikes, strictly non-populated areas,¡± Kovacs said, throwing a smirk at Di Palma. ¡°Or at least, we¡¯ll try not to give you an aneurysm.¡± Elle huffed. ¡°That¡¯s all I ask.¡± __________________________________________________________________________ In an Alliance command post miles away in one of the wealthier parts of the city, officers gathered around a tactical display. ¡°The Tauri are coming,¡± one stated grimly. ¡°We know that for certain, all these small attacks here and there, point to them.¡± The Kommandant nodded. ¡°And we¡¯re sending the entire battalion north to intercept them.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way they can hold Plaxia,¡± another officer said. ¡°Not without substantial reinforcements, how many can they land? Three hundred, five hundred at most. Their ships are not built for infantry operations.¡± ¡°They¡¯re desperate, to save face. They told the Vegema they would protect them, ha!¡± Another laughed in scorn. ¡°And desperate enemies make mistakes.¡± A young woman in uniform sitting at a desk turned in her chair, removing the headphones she wore. Clearing her throat, she drew the attention of the gathered officers. ¡°Sirs, the train is about to depart. They will make good time according to the yard master.¡± ¡°Very good Dantel, send them my best wishes will you.¡± The senior officer told her, then returned his gaze to the maps. __________________________________________________________________________ The big show: The mission was set. Cate and a small team¡ªincluding a squad of Marines¡ªdescended from the cave an hour before dawn, moving through the rugged terrain under the cover of darkness. The valley was cold, the autumn air sharp against their skin, and the damp earth muted their footsteps. The looming winter would soon blanket the hills in snow, but for now, the forest was a mix of dying leaves and skeletal branches, casting long shadows in the moonlight. Captain Warren Caruso of the 4th Australian Regiment kept a wary eye on the treetops as he moved, checking his watch frequently. Cate and James did the same. Time was tight. Loose stones tumbled down the slope as they crept forward, someone catching themselves with a muffled curse. The sound of an owl echoed through the trees, making one of the younger recruits flinch. The bridge loomed ahead, stretching 400 metres across the valley. It was their target. Caruso signalled his Marines to fan out, taking up guard positions. Two squads of young fighters, their breath visible in the cold air, advanced with their explosives. Cate and James followed, watching as the recruits moved quickly but carefully, placing charges every ten metres along the bridge¡¯s span. Some worked their way across the top, others climbed beneath the structure, securing the detonators to the supports. The tension was suffocating. They were nearly at the far end when Caruso¡¯s urgent voice crackled through Cate¡¯s radio. ¡°Taipan, train¡¯s ahead of schedule! You¡¯ve got maybe three minutes!¡± Cate¡¯s pulse spiked. ¡°Move! Now! Get those last charges set!¡± Panic flickered across some faces. A few recruits hesitated. ¡°Go! Now!¡± Morena¡¯s voice cut through the fear, she urged her friends on. ¡°You¡¯ve got this!¡± That was all it took. The last few charges were secured in a frantic rush. The train was now just 200 metres away, its headlamp a growing beacon in the night. Steam hissed; iron wheels thundered against the tracks. ¡°Fall back!¡± Cate shouted to those behind her. Subtlety was abandoned. They sprinted, hearts pounding, scrambling over rocks and dirt as the train roared closer. James grabbed a recruit who had frozen in terror, dragging him forward. The bridge trembled as the first cars rolled onto it. But Cate, Morena, and Tyra had no time to make it back. They were trapped on the northern side. Still under the iron and steel of the bridge. James turned, scanning desperately for Cate as the train roared passed his position. ¡°Cate!¡± he shouted, his voice lost in the chaos. The first explosion detonated. The world went white-hot. The shockwave tore through the valley. A split-second later, the bridge erupted in a chain reaction of fiery blasts, the supports crumbling as steel and concrete buckled. The locomotive surged forward for an instant, then pitched violently as the structure gave way beneath it. One by one, the cars behind it followed, tumbling into the cold river below, their cargo of Alliance troops lost to the depths. The last carriage hovered on the southern end, balancing for a moment. Shouts of Alliance soldiers, trying to scramble free could be heard, even over the cacophony of destruction. Those shouts turned into screams as that ill-fated carriage followed the rest of the train. Smoke and fire filled the night sky. To be continued¡­