Chapter 54

  The mood was tense on the Circle, the orbital space station serving as the military's Command Center for the Hebridean government. The Circle had long served as the meeting place for Hebridan's top admirals and generals. Today, however, the Circle was hosting more than the routine list of military personnel, but also the President and his cabinet.

  At 03:00 A Ha'tak vessel arrived in orbit.

  At 03:30 A children's hospital was taken hostage.

  At 03:35 The military opened fire on the Ha'tak.

  At 03:36 Another alien vessel arrived

  At 03:40 The Ha'tak vessel had been destroyed.

  At 03:42 It was revealed that the person flying the mysterious space craft's name was Amos Fyree.

  The time was now 04:00 and Amos had arrived at the Circle to meet the President.

  "Welcome!" said the half human, half Serrakin President of Hebridan.

  Amos, the Sebrus, and the crew of the Samantha, had arrived at the Circle and were greeted by throngs of media outlets as well as the top military and government officials of the Hebridean Federation.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. President," said an eager Amos. After the two exchanged pleasantries the President guided him and the others to the Situation room where another crisis was unfolding.

  "About thirty minutes ago, a children's hospital in the southern isles was taken hostage by a disgruntled employee tied to the Genites," said the Hebridean President. "He has deployed a new shield of some kind and our special forces haven't been able to get through. Like the Ha'tak we believe the shield is also of Goa'uld design."

  Amos took a brief moment to look at a monitor displaying a news broadcast from Tech Con News Network showcasing the hostage situation in the southern isles. "Mr. President, that is exactly why we have come here today,"confessed Amos. "We have been going from world to world recruiting allies and seeking technologies to do battle with the Goa'uld. We have received intel that the Goa'uld system Lord Anubis has been building ships and developing weapons to invade the most technologically advanced worlds in the Galaxy. With Anubis's new shields and weapons he will be virtually unstoppable!" said Amos, urgency lacing his words.

  A great look of fear and angst came over the Hebridean President. "If that is true then we will need you now more than ever."

  Suddenly, an emergency news broadcast could be heard bellowing over the monitor's speakers.

  "Shh! quiet," yelled the President as his attention began to shift to the news coming from the view screen.

  On the monitor a clear image of an otherwise bright and sunny day, could be seen along with the tall buildings and crystal coasts of the Hebridean southern isles. In the center of this beautiful landscape a horrible and frightening scene was unfolding.

  "We are live! outside of the Southern Isle's Children's Hospital where a former worker for Tech Con Security has erected a large forcefield and taken the entire building hostage. As I speak, teams of Hebridean special forces have evacuated the area and are attempting to break through the forcefield so they can get inside," said a reporter from Tech Con News Network.

  "Let's try this one more time," said the lead captain for the Hebridan Special Forces. On the ground beside him and his troops stood a massive cannon emitting a massive laser beam. His troops held the weapon tight while he prepared for one more round of attacks on the seemingly unbreakable forcefield.

  "Fire!"

  The cannon fired a large beam of light which burrowed deep into the walls of the advanced forcefield. Plumes of smoke and heat could be seen rising in the area around the luminescent domed shield. Shrubbery and nearby vegetation were set on fire as the Hebridean laser cannon attempted to pierce the Goa'uld forcefield.

  "Steady, Keep firing!" ordered the captain of the special forces unit. Even so, no matter what they did the force field would not collapse.

  "Blast!"said the captain. "It's not coming down!"

  One of the soldiers standing next to him turned to the troubled captain and asked, "Sir, we have to get the plasma going. That's the only way."

  "No, we can't use that type of ordinance in a residential area,"said the troubled captain. We'd likely level the entire southern isles if we did that.

  Back in orbit on board the Circle, Amos, and the others were also mesmerized by the events happening on Hebridan's surface. Without warning a blue beam of radiant light appeared in the Situation Room, frightening the President and all those around him. In the light's shadow stood a small grey man and a tall blonde man clad in gold and red star fleet uniforms. Startled by their entrance, a team of Hebridean security guards drew their energy pistols and attempted to apprehend the perceived intruders.

  "Hold your fire!" urged Amos. "It's ok, they're with the Commonwealth."

  The President quickly gave the order to lower their weapons and the security personnel stood down.

  "Freyr! Karlan! It's so good to see you" said Amos. "You got my message."

  "Indeed we did Amos Fyree; now what seems to be the situation?" said Freyr.

  Amos turned and pointed at the view screen, "As we speak, there is a man taking hostages at a Children's Hospital on the surface. He has some new type of advanced energy shield, made by the Goa'uld. Their military can't get through. He is threatening to blow the building unless his demands are met."

  The President, and his cabinet, amazed by the display of Asgard beaming technology, turned to Amos and his colleagues and said, "Listen, we're out of options. Do you think you and your people have the capability to get inside of that building just like your friends just got inside of here?"

  Freyr looked at the forcefield on the view screen, shook his head and said, "If there is a shield over the hospital then I am sorry but Asgard beaming technology will not be of any use."

  Amos rubbed his trimmed beard in deep contemplation, "Freyr, that may not be the case. Over the past year I've been working on updating the efficiency of Asgard beaming technology by adding aspects of Wraith beaming. The Wraith utilize jamming codes that also prevent Asgard beams from working on their ship. I was developing a work around in case the Wraith were to ever jam us from beaming onto their ships in the future. In the end I developed a new type of beaming technology all together. I call it Godspeed."

  Freyr was moved by Amos's words, "My people have the best beaming technology in three galaxies and you believe you have created a form of teleportation that surpasses it?"

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I think I have,"said Amos.

  The President cleared his throat and interjected, "Son, if you think your technology will work, then go right ahead and see if you can stop the situation on the ground."

  "How much time do we have left?" asked Amos.

  One of the President's secretaries who was sitting by a computer terminal lifted her head and responded, "a little under 5 minutes."

  Inside the hospital patients and staff huddled in fear as the armed man paced back and forth waiting for the government's response.

  "How could you do this?"screamed a brave Serrakin nurse.

  "They're just children!"screamed another.

  Mack was busy walking back and forth banging his head trying to block out the wails and complaints from his hostages.

  "Quiet!" shouted Mack Tynan. "I don't give a fuck about you, you fucking lizard! All I care about is my own family." In a fit of rage, Mack Tynan shot bolts from his energy pistol into the air making the entire hospital shutter in fear. He then grabbed one of the human nurses sitting on the floor and positioned themselves in front of the camera while holding a gun to her head.

  "Look, he's back on the screen," said Reva.

  "Oh my god, that poor woman," said Sha're, her hands tightly clasping her lips.

  As a new video feed of Mack Tynan could be seen on the monitor, a grave silence took the Situation Room.

  "To all those watching, this is your last warning. You have less than five minutes remaining. If the credits aren't put into my family's bank account, all of these people including this lizard lover are going to die," he said, gripping his gun and his hostage tight.

  The mood was tense on board the Circle, as well as the rest of the Hebridean and Serrakin Federation. All eyes were on the news feed from the Children's hospital and the hostage taker had given his final demands. All hope hinged on Amos's new technology, Godspeed; but with less than five minutes left was it already too late?

  Egeria turned to look at Amos, "Ampu you must hurry, if you don't beam down to the planet now, it could all be too –

  Ampu?... Ampu?" Egeria looked all over the Situation Room but couldn't find him.

  "Where is Ampu?"

  Meanwhile on the planet Mack Tynan was busy looking at his watch. Then out of nowhere a strong yet subtle voice could be heard.

  "I need you to put the gun down!"

  The crazed hostage taker turned around and saw none other than Amos Fyree.

  "He got through! He did it!" said Karlan.

  "I can't believe it, That son of a bitch did it!" said the President.

  On the monitor of the Situation Room, a clear image of Amos Fyree could be seen.

  "Ladies and Gentlemen, we're getting new footage from the hostage situation unfolding at the Children's Hospital. Apparently someone has broken in and is now confronting the Terrorist," said a news reporter at the scene.

  Amos creeped forward slowly with his hand extended and said, "Come on guy, listen to me, put the gun down."

  The man became even more agitated and nervous during Amos's approach, "Stop r-right there! H-how did you get in here?"stammered the confused Terrorist.

  "Don't worry about that," said Amos. "I'm not from here. Just let go of the woman and everything will be ok."

  "No!" he yelled as he outstretched his gun towards Amos.

  The people on the floor began squirming even more loudly as Mack Tynan pointed his energy weapon at Amos Fyree.

  "Look, I heard your story, I know you lost your job and you have a sick wife and three kids. However taking hostages and threatening mass violence isn't the way to handle it,"said Amos, his voice steady yet tactful.

  "You have no idea,"said the agitated Mack Tynan. "The Government denied me my basic living allowances. If my wife dies, my children will be orphans and forced into a system that doesn't care about them."

  Amos, moved by his words, stepped even closer to the poor man and would be terrorist. "Listen, I get it. I was an orphan. I never even met my mom and dad. I was dropped off at a children's hospital like this on my home planet and was eventually adopted at 13 years old. I used to be sick as well, with an immuno deficiency disorder, but I was finally able to get the treatment that I needed."

  "Oh please, don't give me that bullshit. Did the government send you over here to give me that stump speech? I know the elections are tomorrow"he cursed. "You still didn't tell me how you got in here in the first place."

  "I'm not from Hebridan. I'm from a coalition of worlds called the Lantean Commonwealth. I came here on a diplomatic mission to see if Hebridan would want to join. Our purpose is to bolster trade and the sharing of technology between worlds,"said Amos. "I got here through use of advanced beaming technology which I eventually hope to share with you and your people."

  In between Amos and Mack Tynan were a series of steps. Amos walked closer to him and began to climb those steps narrowing the gap between the hostage and the terrorist.

  In the Circle, onlookers gazed at the viewing screen as Amos carefully tried to talk down the hostage taker. Abruptly, Reva and Egeria looked at each other from across the Situation Room and then approached the President of the Hebridan people.

  "Mr. President, this is going to be hard for you to believe, but Amos just contacted us,"said Reva.

  The President turned from the broadcast and looked at the two women.

  "I didn't notice him send you all a message?"he said with a look of confusion etched on his face.

  "That is because he contacted us telepathically. We have abilities regular humans do not."

  Now at complete attention, the President turned to the two women placed his hands on their shoulders and asked:

  "Tell me ladies; What does he need?"

  Back at the children's hospital Amos had almost climbed all the stairs separating him and Mack Tynan.

  "Don't come any closer! If you do, I'll shoot!"

  Amos stopped moving closer and raised both hands in a show of humility.

  Seeing the panicking young woman in Mack Tynan's arms, Amos opened his mouth and said, "Mack, that's your name right? I have some people who would like to speak with you. But we're going to need a little bit more time, Ok? Is that fine? We just need a few more minutes."

  "W-who are you talking about? Listen, If they don't have the money,then I don't want to talk to them,"said Mack defiantly.

  "Oh you're going to want to talk to them Mack; if this whole thing goes south, this will be your last time,"Amos responded.

  A confused look fell upon Mack's face, "What the hell are you talking about? Who is it that you want me to talk to?"

  As soon as Mack had asked this question, a ghostly apparition appeared beside Amos Fyree.

  "Mack… is that you?"

  Standing beside Amos was none other than a hologram of Mach Tynan's wife.

  "Cynthia, w-what – what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at home in bed resting,"said a bewildered Mack.

  "Someone in the government came to get me; I'm in the Circle. Mack what are you doing? You told me you were out trying to get your job back at Tech Con. Why are you here… Oh my god is that a bomb? Are you taking hostages? Mack honey please… What are you doing?" said the sickly woman.

  Mack's wife Cynthia began to cough erratically into her hand. On her right arm a large visible lump could be seen protruding through her golden skin.

  "Baby, you shouldn't be here. You're too sick. I didn't – I didn't want you to see me like this. Don't worry, I promise I'll get you the money. It'll all be ok soon,"said Mack in a delirious banter.

  "Honey, [cough] you're scaring me [cough]. You can't do something like this. What would our boys say if they knew you were a terrorist [cough]?" she said, coughing up phlegm as she spoke.

  Amos, as well as the rest of the Hebridan and Serrakin Federation, knew everything hinged on that moment of weakness between Cynthia and her husband. One false move and it could all be over. Then an idea flickered inside of Amos that could potentially end the entire situation.

  "Mack, what if your wife wasn't sick anymore?" said Amos.

  "What – what do you mean wasn't sick? Not even the best Serrakin physicians can cure her illness; it's terminal," said Mack Tynan.

  "No the Serrakin can't, but the Lantean Commonwealth can," said Amos.

  In the center of the Circle, the President looked at the other members of the Commonwealth delegation and asked, "Is he telling the truth? Can you heal her illness?"

  Warrick, who was standing nearby, opened his mouth and said, "Why yes Mr. President. I had two crew members who were dead and another gravely injured and they were able to revive all of them."

  Karlan added, "My world joined the Commonwealth not too long ago and together we developed medical nanites that when ingested can eradicate the gravest of illnesses."

  "Even tumors or cancer?" blurted the Vice President?

  "Yes, we can cure all forms of cancer with one dose,"said Freyr.

  "And yes, Warrick is right, we can also raise the dead; myself being one of the resurrected,"added Sha're.

  The members of the Serrakin government began to mumble to themselves emphatically, almost drowning out the feed.

  Then the President banged on the table."Silence! Silence! We can worry about all of that later, we have more important matters at hand."

  Their attention shifted back to the broadcast where Amos was still trying to talk Mack out of blowing up the children's hospital.

  "You're lying." said Mack "You're fucking lying!"

  "Mack I promise you, that regardless of what happens here today, your wife will be healed of her illness. I'll even give them a new home and make sure there is always a warm meal on the table. Just put the gun down and surrender."

  Mack hesitated for a moment, the hologram of his wife, and the promise of medicine, housing and food seemed alluring to him, but deep down inside was a mistrust of Hebridean society that he just couldn't shake. Mack looked down at his watch one last time then held the pistol to the young woman's head. With his other hand he flipped the switch holding the trigger to his suicide vest and brandished it for all on the news feed to see.

  "Time's Up… goodbye Cynthia."

  "Mack No!" she screamed.

  Amos didn't have that much time to respond. In a blink of an eye, the energy pistol that was in Mack's tight grip was now in Amos's hand. Godspeed. Amos had locked on to the energy pistol with his mind, and teleported it out of the Terrorist's grasp. With the pistol gone the young woman he held captive broke free and ran away giving Amos a clear shot.

  Mack, shocked and bewildered, attempted to flip the trigger to his suicide vest. However Amos was too quick and used his telekinesis to keep him from flipping the trigger.

  "H-how are you doing this?" squirmed Mack Tynan.

  Amos looked at him and responded with a hint of pride in his voice:

  "The Power of the Ancients, bitch!"

  He then lifted Mack's energy pistol and shot him in the chest, completely incapacitating the Genite Terrorist.