Chapter 3
Chapter 3: The Federation Stands
Cheyenne Mountain – SGC Command Center
General Hammond stared at the incoming fleet readout with a growing sense of dread. The Goa’uld invasion wasn’t supposed to happen yet—not for months. And yet, here it was, an early, unanticipated assault on Earth.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, looking to the technician.
"Yes, sir. Multiple Ha'tak-class motherships inbound on a direct course for Earth."
Jack O’Neill frowned. “Apophis, huh? Man, that guy just doesn’t know when to quit.”
At the conference table, Xander Harris, still adjusting to his new identity as a Starfleet Captain, crossed his arms. “Well, I guess we’re getting thrown into the deep end.”
Buffy Summers, Captain of the USS Protector, cracked her knuckles. “Yeah, we were gonna ease into this whole ‘protecting the planet with advanced technology’ thing, but I guess that’s not happening.”
Willow, ever logical, glanced at the sensor data. “The enemy fleet consists of three primary Ha'tak-class motherships and multiple smaller support craft. They will enter orbit within twenty minutes.”
Hammond turned to Giles. “Admiral, can your forces hold them off?”
Giles nodded, slipping effortlessly into the role of Starfleet command. “Without question. Even individually, our ships outclass those Ha’taks in almost every way. However, the concern is not whether we can win—but how to do so without drawing undue attention from the wider galaxy.”
Jack O’Neill raised an eyebrow. “What, you think the other Goa’uld might get upset if we wipe out Apophis’s fleet?”
Buffy smirked. “I’m okay with that.”
Willow folded her hands behind her back. “It is not a question of capability, but of long-term strategic impact. If we defeat Apophis too easily, the System Lords may unite against Earth in greater numbers, considering us a more significant threat.”
Xander exhaled. “So what? We let them burn a few cities to keep up appearances?”
“Of course not,” Giles said firmly. “We strike, but we must do so in a way that discourages further conflict rather than escalating it.”
Hammond nodded. “I get it. You want to make sure Earth doesn’t become target number one.”
O’Neill sighed. “Fine, so what’s the plan?”
Xander grinned. “We put on a show.”
Earth Orbit – USS Valiant, USS Protector, USS Surok, and Deep Space K-13
Aboard the USS Valiant, Xander stepped onto the bridge, his Starfleet instincts guiding him with surprising ease. “Report.”
His tactical officer, a holographic Starfleet AI generated from the ship’s database, turned to face him. “Apophis’s fleet is entering orbit. Shields and weapons are at full power. All stations report ready.”
On a secured channel, Buffy and Willow appeared on his viewscreen from their respective ships.
Buffy smirked. “Well, Captain, what’s the plan?”
Xander grinned. “We let them think they have the upper hand—just long enough to shatter their confidence.”
Willow raised an eyebrow. “Logical. You propose we allow them to begin their assault before retaliating decisively?”
“Exactly,” Xander said. “We jam their communications, isolate them, and then hit them so hard they think twice before ever coming back.”
Buffy nodded. “Sounds like a party.”
Xander turned to his helm officer. “Bring us into engagement range. Keep the station between us and Earth—let them think they’re attacking a lone installation before we spring the trap.”
Goa’uld Fleet – Apophis’s Flagship
Apophis stood on the bridge of his mothership, watching Earth grow larger on the main viewscreen.
“The Tau’ri are defenseless,” his first prime said. “Their primitive defenses will fall within minutes.”
Apophis smirked. “Then let us begin. Open fire on their cities. Let them know the power of the gods.”
The first prime bowed and relayed the order. Massive energy blasts surged toward the planet—
And then vanished.
Apophis frowned. “What is the meaning of this?”
A new presence appeared on the viewscreen—a Starfleet insignia emblazoned against a blue background.
“This is Captain Xander Harris of the Federation Starship Valiant to Apophis. Your invasion is over before it begins.”
Apophis sneered. “The Tau’ri think to challenge the gods?”
Buffy’s voice came through next. “Oh please, you’re just another megalomaniacal egomaniac with a superiority complex.”
Apophis’s eyes glowed. “You dare—”
His words were cut off as the Valiant’s weapons fired. Phaser beams lanced through the void, slamming into one of the Ha’tak vessels, its shields flaring under the impact. The Protector followed up with precise bursts from its Andorian-style weapons, tearing through the enemy defenses like paper.
Apophis barely had time to react before the Surok decloaked, firing pinpoint-accurate disruptor beams that disabled the engines of another Ha’tak.
The battle had begun.
Deep Space K-13 – Admiral Giles’s Command Center
Giles watched the battle unfold with a steady gaze. The Goa’uld, for all their bluster, were unprepared for an enemy that outmatched them in every possible way.
"Admiral, incoming transmission from the SGC," an officer reported.
Hammond’s face appeared on the screen. “Admiral, I’ve seen a lot in my time, but I’ve never seen anything like that. You’re tearing through those ships like they’re made of tin foil.”
Giles adjusted his glasses. “That is the expected outcome when 24th-century technology engages forces centuries behind in advancement.”
O’Neill’s voice chimed in. “So, uh, you’re not planning to conquer Earth, right?”
Giles smirked. “Colonel, if we intended to take over your planet, we would have done so already.”
Hammond sighed. “Alright. Then let’s hope we’re on the same side when this is over.”
Giles nodded. “Indeed.”
Earth Orbit – The Final Blow
The Valiant executed a perfect flanking maneuver, unleashing a spread of quantum torpedoes that slammed into the lead Ha’tak. Explosions ripped through its hull, and within moments, the once-mighty warship crumbled under its own weight.
Buffy’s Protector followed up with a withering barrage, shattering another Ha’tak’s shields and sending it spiraling into its own support ships.
Onboard his flagship, Apophis’s rage knew no bounds. “Retreat!” he bellowed. “Retreat at once!”
But it was too late. Willow’s Surok fired a final disruptor burst, disabling the last mothership’s hyperdrive. With their forces in disarray, the Goa’uld fleet was forced into a humiliating retreat.
The battle was over.
Aftermath – SGC Command Center
Back on Earth, General Hammond exhaled in relief. The invasion had been stopped before it could even begin.
“I have to admit,” he said to Giles, “I never thought I’d see the day when the Goa’uld ran from a fight.”
Giles allowed himself a small smile. “They’ll think twice before challenging Earth again.”
Jack O’Neill chuckled. “Yeah, I think they just realized Earth isn’t the easy target they thought it was.”
Xander, Buffy, and Willow exchanged glances.
Xander grinned. “So… first mission accomplished?”
Buffy smirked. “And we didn’t even break a sweat.”
Willow nodded. “A most efficient resolution.”
Hammond straightened. “The world just changed today. And I have a feeling we’re only getting started.”
To Be Continued...