Chapter 165 (1/2)

Pluto

Outside the Arkos shipyard, two large hyperspace windows opened. Exiting these tears into normal space were two of the powerful O'Neill class Asgard vessels. Under tow behind them was the Hala and the Athena. Scarred and battered, the two vessels would soon be repaired; Athena, within the place of her construction, while Hala would return to the Asgard home world. Following instructions from within Arkos, the two O'Neill's halted their advance towards the station to allow exit of a much larger craft.

Emerging from the safety of Arkos station, on her maiden deployment, was the Videum. Newly completed and fresh from her shakedown cruise, Videum glided through the energy field protecting the interior of Arkos. Matching the newly modified configurations of her sister sh.i.p.s Atlantis and Borealis, Videum differed in her capabilities. Constructed to utilize the Arcturus device as her primary power source in lieu of traditional zpm's, Videum was much stronger than her ancient and famed sisters. Gliding past the four vessels outside of Arkos, the newest city ship of the Tauri fleet easily dwarfed those awaiting entry.

Complying with instructions received before their arrival, the Asgard beamed Doctor Lee from the Athena aboard the Videum. Her interim commander, Colonel Reynolds, seeing his lead scientist aboard, instructed the city sh.i.p.s crew to take their stations for departure. Issuing his commands to the avatar of the city ship, Videum powered its star drive and leapt into hyperspace.

As the Asgard released their tractor beam's hold over Athena, Arkos took possession of the vessel with the stations own tractor beams. Locking on to the heavily damaged warship, Athena was drawn ever nearer to the massive energy shield protecting the shipyards interior. Passing through the shield, interior tractor beams locked on and guided the ship to its docking point. Already arachnid like repair robots were standing by to commence repairs. Powering up one of the few undamaged systems aboard, a majority her crew was beamed from within the Athena to the stations debriefing theater.

Having stayed behind, Colonel Eckhart stood in the shipboard mess hall drinking his coffee and going over the sh.i.p.s damage report displayed on his Ipad. Looking at the number of key systems in dire need of repair, the Colonel couldn't help but sigh. Seeing his ship damaged was similar to how a parent must feel with a child in the emergency room. It wasn't a good feeling at all. The only thing making the Colonel feel good at all was the knowledge that she would be repaired soon. So consumed in these thoughts was the Colonel, that he failed to hear someone enter the mess hall.

”She's a bit of a fixer upper right now, but with a little elbow grease she'll be good as new.” General O'Neill began.

”Welcome aboard sir! Forgive my pity party.” Colonel Eckhart answered.

”You know, if I had a dollar for every time the Asgard asked me to save their little grey butts, well, I would have a few dollars anyway.” Jack joked.

”Let's just hope we don't have to do that again any time soon.” Eckhart said with a laugh.

”One can always hope. Level with me, how did it go?” Jack asked.