A Dream Given Form

Chapter Three

Jack and his team watched in dismay as the fighters burned another strip from the hull of the cargo carrier, before hurtling past, mere feet from where they hung in space. This pass, however, the carrier's single laser found its mark on one of the smaller ships, destroying one of the wing-mounted engines, sending the fighter spinning off into space, spewing sparks.

"I think we're too small to be a target for the fighters," said Daniel, hopefully. "I don't know if they can see us at all, they're flying so fast."

"Great," said Jack, sourly. "That'll be a huge comfort when one of them flies right through us!"

Or if the ship hanging above us blows up in our faces, he added to himself, but he knew better than to voice those thoughts.

A man's voice burst into their radio receivers. "Ivanova, I've despatched Alpha Wing. They're approaching your position at maximum burn."

"Thank you, Commander," yelled back Ivanova. "Tell them to make it quick!"

Another voice cut in, evidently one of the pilots of Alpha Wing. "Don't worry, Lieutenant Commander," he teased. "We'll save you from the big, bad pirates."

"Yeah, Dillon?" replied Ivanova, icily. "And who's gonna save you from me after that remark?"

The pilot laughed. "Well," he said, "that's life in Alpha Wing – we're used to danger."

The five remaining enemy fighters had by this time circled around for another attack run. Flying in arrow formation, they concentrated their fire on one section of the armour. A huge strip of blackened metal twisted off and broke free. Even from their position below the carrier, SG-1 could see that the huge ship was venting atmosphere as fragments of debris were blown from the hull.

"We've got a breach!" shouted Ivanova. "Sealing off main cargo bay from forward compartments."

By now, the wide cross-shapes of the Alpha Wing fighters were visible, their engines burning furiously.

"Okay, pirates," said Dillon, his voice stern, "it's time to make you one with the star stuff. Alpha Wing – attack pattern zero-three; follow my lead."

"Take your time," said Ivanova, sarcastically. "I'm telling you, if I get out of this, you're going on double scramble drills for a week."

"Come on, Lieutenant Commander," said Dillon, with a laugh. "Give us some incentive here!"

As one ship, the Alpha Wing fighters opened fire on the Raiders. Two of the pirate fighters disappeared in a ball of fire that quickly dissipated into the vacuum of space. Alpha Wing altered course to pursue the three remaining ships.

The lead Raider's course dipped suddenly, in an effort to shake off his pursuer. The Alpha Wing pilot, taken by surprise, sped on overhead.

"He's going too fast," Jack couldn't help muttering. "He'll never turn in time."

However, with a kick of its starboard engines, the little fighter spun sharply through 180 degrees, bringing it in line with the Raider ship's escape path, and opened fire, reducing the enemy fighter to a fine cloud of smouldering debris.

The two remaining enemy fighters made a break for their carrier, which was itself pulling away from the battle.

"Let them go," ordered Dillon. "Secure the area around the cargo carrier while it picks up its... passengers."

Ivanova's voice came back over the radio, managing to sound only slightly shaken by her near-death experience. "I'm bringing the ship down to meet you now," she told the Stargate team. "I've got a big hold full of vacuum back there now, so you'll need to keep those suits on until we get back to the station."