A few hours later the last remaining supplies and personnel had arrived from Atlantis and the SGC. A surprise to Carter and the others on eldorado was the temporary assignment of Colonel Sheppard to fly the enormous city/ship. The SGC and Atlantis leadership both agreed that since he had successfully flown Atlantis then he should be the one to do so with eldorado. Carter stood in the control room when Sheppard's familiar voice came through the speakers. " Let's get this show on the road guys." Carter smiled seeing some of the others visibly cringe at Sheppard's comment. " Alright Colonel, you may fire up the stardrive." She said. " It's about time," he mumbled. I'm missing the football playoffs back on Atlantis"
From deep below a low rumble slowly grew louder and the ship began to slightly shudder. " All ZPM'S at 40 percent power." Dr Zalinka said from the cities power room. The city had sat for eons on the land of the planet. Slowly it began to rise billowing steam and smoke. Rocks and boulders flew from around the city like they had.been thrown by a giant at random. the ground shook as the planet released it's grip on the hull of the city. Then the hum and shimmer of eldorado's shields going up could be seen. Within moments the city rose on a giant plume of exhaust gases as it headed for the blackness of space.
All seemed well until the city had reached around 60,000 feet and the loud gonging of the cities proximity sensor began going off. Dr Klein who was operating the console that controlled the cities sensors spoke. " Dr Carter, we are picking up 2 wraith hive ships in high orbit. Pretty sure they've seen us ma'am."
"Can we cloak?" She quickly asked. "Sam we can't. The city needs it's shields up to enter space. This systems sun is emitting high amounts of solar radiation. Looks like a lot of sunspot activity." Said Sheppard. Carter was silent for a moment then mumbled,"Damn." Looks like we are going to have to fight them. Colonel Power up the energy weapons, fire at will."
Unlike Atlantis this city had 8 tiers that stretched out from it's Central mass where the tower was that housed the control and gateroom as well as the docking bays for the ship. Without warning the city reorientated from flying at the hives level to where the shield was pointing directly at them. From each tier end a spot of light began to grow into bright glowing purple balls of light. then suddenly all eight tiers shot out a beam of that same purple color. Four beams targeted each ship.
It was as if the wraith ships shields and hull were made of paper, as every beam struck it's Mark on the two ships, passing right through them without even pausing. Within seconds both hive ships evaporated in blinding flashes of fire and explosions. All throughout the control and gateroom was silence from everyone at the sheer power they had just witnessed. Then hundreds of Cheers as people celebrated. Never had anyone seen a wraith hive ships destroyed so quickly and effectively with such little effort.
"Good job, Colonel." Carter said to Sheppard. " Lay in a course to intercept Destiny, and engage the hyperdrive." "Yes maam." he said, and moments later the stars in space became a glowing stream of light as the city engaged it's 8 hyperdrive engines.