Tonak had been right, about a day after he left the long range sensor array started to report a ship. When Amenthes had been in control of the planet he'd created an interface that routed the main secondary systems of ships that happened to be in orbit through a control console in his private rooms. The console was capable of utilizing the sensors, beaming tech, the self destruct, remotely activating the rings and a number of lesser systems that Halion didn't use much. It couldn't access the primary systems like weapons or shields, the console effectively turned ships an early warning system for the planet that reported the Amenthes directly.
Currently the ship that was reporting was the damaged Ha'tak in orbit. In its last battle the Ha'tak had lost hyberdrive and sublight engines, its shields had suffered damage, the emitters only able to power to twenty percent without overload. All these things were fixable with the right expertise but the reason that Amenthes had abandoned it in space as nothing more than a relay station was because the life support system had been shot. It still ran somewhat but the Carbon Dioxide ratio inside was such that the system could only clean air for perhaps six people, that was stretching it. Even though the system still operated there were many pockets of the ship that remained closed off with dead air inside or some that vented directly to space. The system did not run evenly throughout the ship and so even with partial life support it was safer to use a breathing apparatus which was supplied to the three man team that manned the Ha'tak. They did not have the expertise to repair the ship, in fact that was one of the reason that Halion hunted Amenthes so venomously. He could repair the ship. The team was simply there to see to the working systems and fend off a boarding party should it be necessary.
It was somewhat defensible, Amenthes for his destructive tendencies was no fool. He had studies the beaming jammers that surrounded the ancient labs and equipped his ships with a Goa'uld recreation.
According to the data the Ha'tak was sending there was a single manned craft the size of a Death Glider though radically different in design simply by the fact that it had exited a hyperspace window. The Goa'uld did not possess a hyperdrive versatile enough or perhaps primitive enough to operate on such a small craft though with armadas and cloakable ships such a thing would be unnecessary. It started a scan, first of the Ha'tak, then of the planet. It was searching for something, no doubt the Ancestral Facility. It should be stopped.
Halion used the console to access the communications systems to the Al'kesh he had in his possession. It was merely one ship but one was better over prepared when it was unnecessary than under prepared when it was needed. Halion was no fool though, this could be a trap designed to draw out his main force. He wouldn't be caught by it. In his possession he held nine Al'kesh, thirteen Tel'taks and a full compliment of gliders from the Ha'tak in orbit. His people had fought tooth and nail to keep these ships killing loyal Jaffa and minor Goa'uld alike to ensure that they could protect there planet.
"Commander Ryken," he said into the communications system. "We have an intruder flying past the our first moon, too close to our Ha'tak for my liking. Launch five of our Al'kesh, and position three cloaked Tel'taks in high orbit, then have the crew ring over to the Ha'tak and beamed to the planet. The ships self destruct capabilities might be needed if worst comes to worst as I suspect there are more ships on the way."
"Ay sir." Came from the other end. Halion would keep the line open so he could coordinate the attack from here. The invading ship was of similar design to a Death Glider but it was obvious from the craftsmanship, design and materials that it was not Goa'uld. It also seemed to have more developed technologies added too it. It's engines ran much faster than those of a Glider again though the Glider didn't need speed, they were fighter interceptors not designed for recon.
"Commander are the Tel'taks in place?" There was an affirmative from the other. "Alright, now set the Al'kesh on an intercept course with the Recon ship. Keep two of them cloaked, the element of surprise may do us good." Halion monitored the Al'kesh on there way. "Commander I was led to believe that the Ha'tak's Glider bay was more or less intact?" "Yes indeed it is sir, do you wish to launch the gliders?" Halion nodded before realizing that the commander couldn't see him. "Yes, let the Al'kesh chase the craft closer to the Ha'tak and at the opportune moment launch six squadrons of Gliders, flank the ship on all sides. With the Al'kesh behind in pursuit. It shouldn't require much to destroy this ship, it is fast but is merely a recon drone."
The recon pilot was skilled and his ship was of good design obviously being much faster than the gliders. He was expert at dodging shots and many maneuvers that Halion's most skilled pilot would't try. It was inevitable however that he would fall into an ambush. The Gliders launched from the Ha'tak quickly surrounded the craft and the two remaining Al'kesh decloaked on either side. The craft had no were to go and the pilot clearly knew he was out of options. The Hyperdrive that these fighters utilized must have some sort of cool down or recharge time before reactivation or the pilot would open a window. There was no escape.
The ship was well manned but the new ships had caught him off guard. He looped and spiraled but with ships covering all sides it was impossible to avoid them all. The Gliders hit there mark and the ship detonated, debris flying every directed propelled by the remaining air in the craft, this was quickly burned away by fire leaving only lifeless space junk. No one could survive that explosion without some sort of minor miracle and Halion felt satisfied knowing of no technology that could save the pilot's life.
The console started to beep again as another contact exited a hyperspace window just outside there third moon. "Commander, we have another contact just outside the furthest moon. It appears to be a battle cruiser significantly smaller than a Ha'tak vessel. It's shields have been raised and from the energy output I'm detecting I'd say they of Asgard make or a derivative there off possible salvaged from a Goa'uld Mothership. If they have had help from the Asgard before there demise or access to Goa'uld ships then it is safe to assume that the ship also possesses beaming technology, a ring platform and an advances energy weapon of some kind. I cannot be sure of these specifications but proceed as if they are true. It is best we are not caught off guard."
"Indeed sir, might I suggest locking down the Ha'tak if this ship is indeed ring compatible it would not do to lose main sensors and I was led to believe that the weapons systems are only down twenty percent. We cannot let this enemy turn our resources against us."
"Thanks you for your recommendation commander. Position the attack for in a stable orbit between the planet and this ship." Halion then turned the communications on inside the Ha'tak, this system was also rather faulty and so was kept off most of the time. "Ha'tak vessel, do you read me?" There was a mildly static affirmative. "You need to lock down the ring platform, or this new ship may try to board." There was another static answer and Halion detected a cut of power to the ring system. "Good, keep an eye on the sensors, we don't know what could happen. Dial up the shields to the highest safe level." The shields strengthened and Halion terminated communications. They were ready for this ships arrival and if all else failed Halion could rely on the Lucian Alliance, they didn't want this planet in the hands of an enemy any more than Halion did.
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