Chapter 154 (1/2)

NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Deep within the bowels of the highly secure compound of NATO headquarters, an urgent session called at the behest of the United States was taking place. The twenty eight individual member nations Permanent Representatives were seated at a circular table. Due to language differences, each Representative wore an earpiece over which immediate translation of each Representative spoken words were broadcast. After the recent attack on Earth so shortly after disclosure, the air of tension was palpable.

”As your respective heads of government have been made aware, an overt attack upon our planet was averted. Traditionalist forces of the Jaffa mounted this attack upon both Earth and the Arkos shipyard facility. Background information on both Arkos and the Jaffa can be found in the briefing packets before you. Utilizing internal self defense measures, the Arkos artificial intelligence engaged and destroyed the three Ha'tak vessels that attacked shortly after exiting hyperspace. Moments later four Ha'tak vessels exited hyperspace near Earth and immediately opened fire. The planetary defensive shield prevented any of the targeted weapons fire from entering our atmosphere. The Daedalus class vessel Sun Li Ren belonging to the Taiwanese government engaged the attacking vessels destroying two. While this attack took place, the vessel Destiny closed in on the attackers and also engaged destroying one Ha'tak. Both vessels maneuvered to further engage the remaining enemy ship, but the attacker engaged their hyperspace engines and escaped.” Representative Lionel Pine stated to the assemblage of men.

”I think we can all agree that were it not for the timely actions of Taiwanese forces in conjunction with their American counterparts, this situation could have been much worse.” Representative Geoffrey Calvert agreed.

”Representative Pine, I've gone over the briefing material. We can all agree that this situation is one we do not wish to repeat. Do we have any indications of additional follow up targets?” Representative Diego Garza of Spain asked.

”I've consulted with the Department of Defense about this. They assure me that the planetary defense shield is more than adequate to prevent any such follow up attacks on Earth. Despite that, defensive weapons platforms will remain at an elevated alert level until this conflict is concluded. Fleet units will also maintain a presence in the solar system. Even though we have defensive measures in play, we do have one area of concern where the enemy can inflict considerable harm to us so I've been informed. Where the Jaffa to target the moon with either a nuclear weapon equivalent or a large amount of ship based firepower, the resulting debris could prove a problem. Debris and ejecta from such a strike has the potential to shield the Earth from a high percentage of sunlight resulting in the equivalent of nuclear winter.” Pine said solemnly.

”With all of your nation's new advancements can you not do something about that?” Garza demanded.

”Countermeasures to deal with such a situation are being formulated as we speak with our off world allies.” Pine replied.

”What of other off world facilities?” German Representative Heinrich Von Eich demanded.

”The Alpha Site is equipped with defensive systems equaling those of Earth. The November Site is a joint Earth and Asgard off world facility, so we judge the possibility of an attack there highly unlikely if the Jaffa are even aware of the facilities existence. Should an attack occur there we deem the chances of success as minimal. Due to the November Site's proximity to New Heliopolis, the other Great Races would respond in kind.” Pine explained.

”It is the position of Her Majesty's government that an attack on Earth represents a direct attack upon NATO and our respective individual nations. With that in mind, forces of my nations military are being prepared for deployment to respond to this attack.” Calvert stated.

”I have been directed by the Chancellor to make available forces of the German Army under NATO command in support of our treaty commitments.” Representative Von Eich added.