Chapter 149 (1/2)
Latira
Beyond the fertile farmlands around the capital of the world of Latira, a structure unlike any ever seen by the world's inhabitants was taking shape. After procuring the permission of the worlds belonging to the Pegasus Coalition of Planets, the Furling envoy to the galaxy tasked with emplacing the mammoth pyramids that functioned with the crystal skull technology had taken to his task with gusto. Standing before the pyramid he was constructing with his ascended abilities, Ithon brought the monolithic structure into being.
Unlike the Great Pyramid found on Earth at Giza, this pyramid was more reminiscent of those found in South America. Lacking the smooth sides of the traditional Goa'uld inspired pyramids, this one like others of Furling origin rose into the air in graduated steps. Dwarfing the structures that were used as Ha'tak landing platforms, these pyramids rested on a base five times larger than others at one thousand one hundred and fifty one and three quarters meters. Standing at a height of seven hundred and thirty three and a half meters they were also five times the Goa'uld's designed height.
At the base of the pyramid on all four sides was a triangular arch like doorway. Leading through this dramatic arch was a slightly wider than shoulder width passageway. Progressing fifteen meters into the body of the pyramid, this passageway led to a cavernous and hollow interior. The bottom of this cavern lay two hundred meters below the thin elevated walkways that took any who might follow its path to a platform above the center of the deep depression. At the center of this platform was a long pedestal where rested a single crystal skull.
Where one to look down into the pit laying around the elevated platform in the center of the pyramids interior, they would see a collection of stalagmite's measuring many meters in length rising from the floor. These stalagmites were not naturally occurring, having been purposely created for their function. When activated, the crystal skull gave off lepton radiation. As the lepton's passed through the stalagmite field they slowed, something not capable according to Tauri science several years earlier. With the lepton's slowed dramatically, anything within the pyramid passed out of phase. Residing in this out of phase plane of existence lay the Omeyocan.
These beings, comprised purely of energy, had one mission; protection of human life. Originally conceived to protect humanity from the Goa'uld, the Omeyocan now had a new task. Once active, the Omeyocan would protect humanity from the Wraith threat. Testing had revealed that Wraith sensor technology lacked the ability to detect the lepton field within the pyramid even with their most powerful sensors.
During their time in the lepton field with their Omeyocan guardians, humanity would be afforded the opportunity to learn. The basics of education would be covered, as well as lessons in morality that was highly valued by the Furling. Despite their primary function as protectors, the lessons taught by the Omeyocan would provide a base upon which humanity could build a brighter future. Once the remainder of pyramids was constructed throughout the galaxy humanity would have safe harbor. With humanity safely ensconced in the hands of the Omeyocan, the allied forces could bring about a decisive victory against their enemy.
Dar Eshkalon
Twenty seven minutes earlier, the Athena class vessels of two nations exited hyperspace and engaged their cloaks. Representing the American contingent of this operation was the Shiloh, carrying a twenty man strike force from the US Army's elite 1st Special Forces Group, Operational Detachment Delta otherwise known as Delta Force. The second vessel belonged to Great Britain. HMS Agincourt carried within her twenty men of the 22nd Special Air Service, sister unit to the American Delta Force.
Sensors aboard both the Shiloh and Agincourt detected a small fleet of six Ha'tak vessels at the edge of the solar system. This came as a rude shock to the Tauri ship crews. Having believed the traditionalist forces of the Jaffa lacked anything larger than an Al'kesh class vessel after the battle of the super gate, one valuable piece of intelligence had been uncovered without a single shot fired. Powerful subspace receivers detected communications emanating from the distant Jaffa fleet to an unknown receiving station several light years from the solar system. Highly suspicious by nature, the Tauri ship crews suspected another fleet might be at the other end of the conversation taking place. Based on deep space telemetry flowing into the sensors, it appeared that the unknown station communicating with the Ha'tak's at the edge of this solar system was three other Ha'tak class vessels.
The unexpected presence of the Ha'tak class vessels was a cause for concern. As briefed, this mission was supposed to take place quickly, applying a factor the Army called ”force of violence”, and without discovery until well after the fact. Ship to ship combat was not a mission factor that had been anticipated nor was it wanted. Like generations of warfighters before them, the assemblage of Tauri did like those from the past before a battle, and simply crossed their fingers and hoped for the best. Precautionary measures were being taken though, in the form of placing all 302 pilots on alert for a quick launch if needed.
On the bridge of each vessel, sensor operators powered the Asgard designed transport beam systems. Using the deployment schematic provided by each of the team's commanders, armed men intent on violence were dematerialized and beamed to the planets surface. First to go were the highly trained two man sniper/spotter teams. To the south and the west four Delta long gun teams appeared. To the north and east four sniper teams of the SAS appeared. All of the sniper teams wore their ghillie suits, allowing them to seamlessly blend into the forested edge of the Jaffa encampment. Unfolding the bipod legs on their custom built fifty caliber rifles, the sniper teams settled into their firing positions in anticipation of the assault teams arrival. From their firing positions, the sniper teams noted a collection of night time sentries scattered around the encampment with the aide of their night vision scopes. Fulfilling their role in the over watch position, these men would be among the first to deliver death to the enemies they currently faced.
Twenty five minutes of sniper over watch passed before the main assault forces of British and American operators appeared fifty meters from the darkened edge of the Jaffa camp in two man fighting elements. Dispersed at varying points of the compass, the encampment was now surrounded by highly trained special operators. Dressed in coal black night assault uniforms, these night vision equipped men shouldered their suppressed Heckler and Koch MP-7 submachine guns and began to silently advance to their first planned points of contact.
”This is long gun one. Enemy sentries are sticking close to their campfires, so assume their night vision is shot. Will advise if situation changes. Confirming long guns have compromise authority” crisply stated one of the snipers over the radio net.
”Roger, confirming compromise authority. All elements proceed with ingress now” said the reply over the radio net.
Snipers around the Jaffa encampment drew their rifles in tight to their shoulders while scanning their assigned sectors of fire. Beside them, spotters scanned the sectors of fire with their spotting scopes in an effort to find a target for their shooters. Around the camp, two man hunter killer teams of the most highly trained soldiers their governments could create stalked forward. Each footstep was silent, as the men inched forward in with weapons at the ready.