Three death gliders, both automated and incapable of higher intelligence, banked right only to hit one of the nukes. It sent a small explosive ripple that destroyed them immediately as the [i]Langford's[/i] fighters easily went past. The larger ships, followed by the remaining Al'kesh and deathgliders, slowed their pursue to a safer course. It was a stall while the beastly Tau'ri ship gathered her little fighters under her wing and likely shut tightly up. Meaning there was little chance to inflict more damage within that opening before the shields went up. Dey cursed. 

She hated surprises and the more this battle continued, the more that seemed to pop up. First the attempt to shift out of the box tactic and now this, she was getting frustrated and worry tugged at her mind about Tonak again. At this rate all her ships would be useless and nothing more then metal debris in space.She took a deep breath, her hand covered her eye sending the hand heel to press again her eyeballs. She removed her right hand to retrieve a summary of the damage done. The hung back Ha'tak , she dubbed DIS (Dead In Space), was still being repaired while the engines and shield on the Al'kesh, marked TAASU (Totally And Absolutely Screwed), had finally sputtered then died, the small two man crew worked feverishly to reestablish life. Luckily she still had one functional, though likely targeted, Ha'tak which she dubbed Lucky due to the fact the Langford hasn't hit it yet. The final Ha'tak had structural damage as well as shields well under half their strength so it won't be much help. Her shoulder slumped at her last option: stalling with a little chat. 

She rerouted her communications through the DIS Ha'tak. Should the Langford attempt to track it then it would trace back to the damage Ha'tak ship. Time to put on a mask, Dey thought as she spoke. There would be little doubt Tonak and her were siblings, her voice filled with surprising cockiness and calm. 

"To the Captain of the ship, it appears you've gotten our warning now. I demand your total and complete surrender or the full force of my ships in waiting will be released."

"Continue firing." Black ordered, patching through to the contact. IT sounded like a young female voice. "Fat chance, girl. I'll surrender when I'm dead. You are quite reckless to sacrifice a whole ship on the chance it just might blow us up." Catherine started unloading, so far keeping her anger somewhat at bay and avoiding swearing at her account. Muting the mic she turned to one of the crew and asked about the damage form the hits they took while the shield was down. Aside from a few hull breaches, the engines were down to 50% and the tech estimated that with repairs they could get up to 75% in a few minutes. Nodding, Catherine checked the status of her frontal beam cannons. One minute left until they recharged. "I am however willing to let you end your illegal invasion and leave here in one piece. Provided you stand down this instance of course." Captain tried. Some extra time couldn't hurt them.

“Illegal…” Dey sounded almost amused by the word, “That’s only because you Tauri believe you have the right to determine the rules out here. Very little difference between you and the Goa'uld in that aspect from what I can see. After all, if Langara didn’t really have anything worth value to you, then honestly would you really be here at all? You Tau'ri are all the same, greedy. Unless a planet is worth the risk to protect and save, you could care less if ends up going in a heap of smoldering ruins. That is the only reason you're here because you have something you need and you're afraid to lose it. Though to be honest, Captain, I had hoped you would prove the facts wrong."

Checking the status of Ha'Tak 3, the bombers managed to lower it's shields somewhat and were now making their way back while avoiding the swarm that was on the apex on their turn around their minefield. "Honesty form a member of the alliance. Now that'd be something for the history books." Captain retorted, signalling the helm to turn the [i]Langford[/i] around. "Your words insult us both. I seriously doubt your own policy of protecting assets differs from what you just described. We have a formal treaty with Langara and we responded to a distress call sent by their officials, and that's that." muting again, she quickly decided on a course of action. "Forward gunners, target Ha'Tak 1. Railguns, keep at the new Al'Kesh. All missile batteries, target Ha'Tak 2, bring it's shield down so we can attempt taking it over."

[hider=Damage]
Ha'Tak 1: 39% shield, structural weakness hit -> Double beamed at mid range, destroyed.
Ha'Tak 2: 11% shield, weapons offline -> Missile barrage, shield down
Ha'Tak 3: 100% shield -> Bomber strike, 5 nukes. Counting 3 intercepted. Shield reduced to 90%
[/hider]

Not good...Thought Dey as she only half listened to the Captain, her hands flew about the console. Her communications reached out to the TAASU, who's communications rerouted her line back to the planet side and down to Tonak. She had muted the communications to the Langford so there wouldn't any risk to overhear. This shit was getting worse by the moment, her attempt for time had merely bought a few minutes with some luck while her ships had started to fall. The DIS immediately went up into flames as the double beams hit them both, the engines repaired at the last moment only to be destroyed before it could move quickly enough. Dey flinched with a slight sorrow and respect at the wreckage. Ironic their last words, alongside their screams had flickered in her mind before she bit down the sour feeling. 

"Tonak, can you hear me?" Dey's voice tried to sound steady, but she knew it either sounded hollow or cracked with each word. Most of her wanted to leave here shortly, namely with their mission complete as she waited for his reply. 

Mortars had begun to fly out of the compound and towards it as the Langarans made their advance. He didn't have the manpower to hold off against them for long however he did have the firepower. He nodded to a man with a radio who spoke into it and he heard two gliders fly over head and begin strafing runs on the Langaran forces. "Everyone, stay at your posts. The Tau'ri will be close. Have the Gliders focus on the Langaran forces and bring everyone else within the facility. The tanks and mortars are no use in here as they won't want to risk blowing the facility and the entire planet to pieces." His private communicator buzzed and he clicked the button on it, he had to love Tok'ra communicators. They were so effective and easy to use. Better than the Tau'ri style radios they were typically given. "What is it Dey? The Langarans have begun attacking the facility."

"Shit has hit the engine here. I can't keep the Tau'ri back for much longer, I'm down to about a few heavily damaged ships and to buy more time has officially was shot. " Dey answered, trying to keep calm. "So, I'm hoping you're ass is already getting out of there. The Captain's a real piece of work. How much longer do you need and I will see if I can buy it. Even if I have ram a Ha'tak up her ass somehow." 

"Well stalling the space forces is easy. Fire a shot at the surface of the planet. Somewhere with water to soak up the blast and even if it gets through to the crust it won't do too much and if it does it will be a slow reaction and would give them plenty of time to solve the problem. We're currently still taking Naquadria before we starting taking scientists through the gate. Even if you have to withdraw all the ships it will still give us plenty of time as they can't beam directly into the facility."

"You want me to what?!?" Dey's voice went up a few ocatves in her reply, doing a double take about his suggestion. "And what about you, won't that affect you as well?" 

"Fire on the planet. Mountain, water. Either or won't cause an immediate reaction if any. I'm nowhere near either of those as well. Just show we're willing to do it, that'll give her pause and if not target a military base. As long as we don't go full orbital bombardment it should be fine. Kane still has hopes for the possibility for Langara to turn." Sometimes his sisters compassionate grounds could really get in the way. Though he would have to convince her to change her mind and not just force her.

Dey inhaled then nodded her understanding, though she was sure he couldn't see it or her uncertainty on the matter. "Fine, but you better hurry your ass up. I don't want to have to drag you out of there but I will." 

She cut the communications as she ordered and third Ha'tak, the one in the best condition, to open a single shot on the planet.

Seeing the shot, all activity on the [i]Langford[/i]briefly stopped. A low pitched growl escaped from Balck's mouth. "So that's how you want to wage this war, girl? Allright, you got it. Gas the [i]two[/i], put us between the planet and [i]three[/i]. all available power to shield and lateral beam cannons. Hopefully if we kill the capital ships the rest will withdraw." Catherine did not believe they would actually consider destroying the planet. They played for time the same way she did. But on the off chance they would... "Bring us right down it's throat if you have to, but I don't want that Ha'Tak to have any shot on the planet!"