Episode Fifteen: Exodus (Part One)

[Troy Loveridge]

1100
Delta Site
Gate Room

In full dress uniform, Colonel Loveridge, SD-1 and assorted members of the base personnel stood in a semi-circle, fanning around the ramp leading down from their stone white Stargate. The usual assortment of armed security personnel, mounted machine guns and medic staff which normally filled the room during off-world activations weren't anywhere to be seen, and instead replaced with diplomats, decorative banners displaying the base's patch, crest and colors, and a sea of formally dressed military and civilian personnel. Even if an observer hadn't attended the briefing, they would have easily guessed this wasn't a routine gate transit.

No, today the every wish of the expedition was being granted - their Alcaran allies had agreed to provide the expedition with advanced military technology in the form of a powerful shield generator. Initial data suggested it was up to three to four times more powerful than the latest the Asgard had to power, and required only half the power requirements. It was an immense leap forward, and the possible applications for this knowledge was endless, from upgrading their fleet of cruisers to building a planet-wide system capable of defending Earth from the growing Ori and Lucian Alliance threats.

Standing with his teams mate, Troy tapped his toe impatiently and looked at his watch. "For such an advanced race of beings," he muttered to the person standing next to him, "They're yet to grasp the concept of ETA..."

< Tag SD-1 & Base Personnel >

[Alavair "Zoidberg" Leah]

1100
Delta Site
Gate Room


This was far from what he was used too, although perhaps that was a good thing. Major Alavair Leah was many things. He had been called a ghost, a demon, and a brilliant commander. Today he hoped to add another word to his resume, that of established diplomat. The benefit of being one of the higher ranking officers on the base was an obvious one: he was generally privy to the workings of each mission. This one seemed to be relatively simple, and would serve as a nice way to re-orientate himself with the site. Their little welcome wagon was here to greet their Alcaran allies, something that the major was highly excited about. Their allies were supposedly bringing them a shield generator, something that would be most welcome on the site. It was something that Alavair fully planned to do a little research on as soon as possible, considering he was the leading weaponry expert on the base.

Glancing around at the group they had assembled, he couldn't help but have an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach, a feeling that made him uneasy. Perhaps he had a trust issue or something of the like, but he just couldn't help but be a bit on edge about this visit. If things went well they would walk away with a substantial leap in their defense technology. If not... well he didn't really want to think about the possible repercussions of a failed meeting. Hearing the colonel's words, Alavair chuckled under his breath. Colonel Loveridge was a good man, and he had even been at Alavair's bachelor party. Good memories overwhelmed him, and worked to calm his nerves.

"Yes.. it seems that most of these advanced species have yet to learn the concept of manners."

[Penthesilea]

1100
Delta Site
Gate Room


It would seem that being on time wasn't a trait many Delian Natives could express. Silea was one of the last people to arrive in the Gate Room, she snuck in, hopefully unnoticed. She stood near the back, dress in her own version of a dress uniform. Truthfully, her people never had the need for such clothes, so this was from her own collection she had attained from various worlds. Silea wore a black tunic, the sleeves cut off that the elbows, as well as a long black plaited leather skirt. She also wore a long cape that covered her entire left side. Some would say that her cape looked Jaffa like, though she didn't know what a Jaffa was anyway.

She did have to admit that she did look out of place next to the rest of the people in the gate room. But she was on alert, for her trust was hard to earn, even if they were allies. Sometimes she just couldn't go on people's word, she would have to see it for herself.

[Andy Buchanan]

1101
Delta Site
Gate Room

Andy had never liked dress uniform. It felt far too stiff and formal and itched at the back of his neck, but for this occasion, he wore it. He hadn't failed to notice that it was decidedly larger on him than it had been last time he'd worn it, back in Washington. His weight loss had slowed (particularly now that he'd started eating with more regularity), but hadn't stopped. After yet another battery of tests and staring at the inside of MRI and CT scanners, the medical staff had deduced that it was likely a side effect of the cocktail of drugs that he was taking to keep the effects of radiation at bay.

They'd given him a new batch. The new batch had made him throw up. They'd replaced the new batch with a different batch. That lot had left him dizzy and constantly yawning. It was a constant battle to work out what would work best and he was getting, quite frankly, sick of it.

Apart from physical changes, most obviously evidenced by his weight loss and a surprising spurt of growth from his hair, which had grown out of his usual crop rather faster than usual, Andy seemed to be faring remarkably well. He had certainly shown no further signs of mental deterioration other than an occasional tendency to shutting himself up in his room and not coming out unless practically ordered to. He frequently stayed in the engineering section all night, but he'd done that before his accident so it was nothing to be worried about.

Having opened himself up a little to his team whilst stranded on Helios, Andy had found the modicum of courage that had been needed for him to make the call to his estranged wife and details of their divorce had been finalised. Only that morning he had received his Decree Nisi. It both amused and pained him to realise that his Absolute would come through on the day that Megan was due to deliver his best friend's child.

There's irony for you, he thought as he hopped from foot to foot, unable to keep still, excited about the new technology that he would shortly be able to get his hands on.

He glanced at Silea and gave her what he hoped was an encouraging smile. Despite having found the wherewithall to deal with his marital issues, Andy was still failing in the most spectacular way to make any sort of progress in dealing with his undoubted feelings for their statuesque new team mate.

<Tag: All>

[John "Cutty" Cutter]

1101
Delta Site
Gate Room

John was standing in his dress uniform, behind held up by a pair of crutches. They had gotten him into an operating room just in time. If they had been out any longer, John would have lost his leg. Damn this uniform is a pain in the arse. Why do I have to wear this? To top everything off, the visitors were late. Maybe John would give them his watch. Andy stood beside him shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Andy, settle down, will ya? You're like a caged tiger.

<Tag Anyone>

[Ian Wright]

1101
Delta Site
Gate Room


Standing by the rest of SD-1 in front of the gate waiting for the delegation from the Alcarans was Dr. Ian Wright acting CSA or at least that's what he was telling people. In his black suit and blue tie he seemed impatient as he was the only person on base right now that had been through all the encounters with these people. Not to mention he wanted to see the new shield generator that they were bringing to the lab for a once over and getting out of this suit would be an added bonus.

Ian pulled the sleeve of his suit coat back to revel his watch telling what he already knew that the delegation was late but he double checked anyway. With a sigh and a tap of his foot as he thought to himself with a bit of annoyance in his head I'm never this late.

Rubbing his forehead with his fingers as he felt a headache coming on again, which have been getting worse since Cara left for Earth. Speaking in a hushed tone to Loveridge, Ian asked the colonel "Why am I here, I could be in my lab working, isn't this McKillop's kinda thing."

<Tag Troy>

[Troy Loveridge]

OOC: Wtf! Ian remembers my little archaeologist Kent? Woohoo! ;D

1102
Delta Site
Gate Room

Around Troy, the members of SD-1 and assorted base personnel had taken up their positions, with the stragglers sneaking in at the rear. It seemed all members of his team were accounted for with the exception of Will, who no doubt had some medical emergency to attend to. Though, if Troy knew Will like he thought his did, the cheeky Brit was probably off hiding under the guise of paperwork. He seemed to hate this 'meet-and-greet-shake-hands-and-smile' business as much as the rest of the team, but was one step ahead in having an excuse prepared.

Next to him, Major Leah whispered a reply to the Colonel's comment on the promptness of the Alcarans. "Yes.. it seems that most of these advanced species have yet to learn the concept of manners." While there may well have been a perfectly good explanation for the delay, all members of the base would agree it was more enjoyable to poke fun at the aliens, who like the Asgard liked to get up on their high horses and remind the lowly humans just how 'young' they were. "Probably coordinating mask and robe," Troy muttered in reply, in reference to the elaborate and colorful full-faced masks and long flowing robes the Alcarans were famous for.

At the front of the group, Ian - who was filling in as Chief Scientific Advisor and awaiting confirmation of his full time promotion to the position - was tapping his foot impatiently. As the only member of the team to have had anything to do with the Alcarans prior to this, he would serve as a main point of call for the meeting. "Why am I here, I could be in my lab working, isn't this McKillop's kinda thing." He whispered to Troy.

"Dig of -722," Troy replied, bringing forth memories of the very boring four days the team had spent at Doctor McKillop's off-world dig, providing security for the threat he was convinced was just around the corner, but probably in reality a million light years away. "Probably onto some fascinating poetry.."

Troy's jest was cut short by the whirling of the Stargate as it came to life. "Incoming wormhole," called Sergeant Lacey, the base's gate tech, who interestingly enough was also in full dress uniform. "IDC match," he added. "It's the Alcaran delegates." The first and then second chevrons locked into place, and although dreading their arrival and the hours of diplomatic talks that were soon to follow, Troy was happy it would all be over soon.

< Tag SD-1 & Base Personnel >

[Penthesilea]

1102
Delta Site
Gate Room

Silea made her way around some of the people and stood beside Andy. She was all to aware of his infatuation with her, but she had yet to determine what she would do about it. It was kinda nice though, to have someone, that wasn't under the influence of anything, feel that way about her. She often thought it may have to do with his illness he was battling with, but after seeing various looks from the other males on the base, it was only nature it seemed.

It was odd looking at the military in their dress uniform, "Why does you people were such uniforms when they're painfully obvious that they're uncomfortable?" she asked Andy, initiating a bit of conversation waiting for their guests. "Though, if yours fit you right, it might make you look a bit dashing." She smiled at him while internally slapping herself. She didn't really know why she had said that, just blurting out what she thought.

The gate activated and their guests came though. Silea stiffened slightly upon seeing the masked people, her own uneasiness about the whole thing, a little more agitated. Her left hand rested on the hilt of a dagger that was on her belt, hidden under the cloak.

<tag Andy>

[Alec "Wildcat" Styles]

1102

Standing to General Kepler's right as usual, Sergeant Major Alec Styles was wearing his black, red, white, and gold dress uniform and watching as the delegates emerged from the event horizon wearing their ceremonial robes and masks. This would come to be a day to celebrate hopefully in the future, but Alec's primary conern for the day was to ensure the safety of all those present, both from the expedition and their allies. Security was air-tight around the site, and non-essential personnel were off on the Alpha Site to ensure nothing went wrong. Despite no longer being the Chief of Security, the seasoned Marine's position as Senior Enlisted Advisor afforded him almost anything he chose to do for the base, and security had always been a major skill set the Sergeant Major was proficient in.

Smiling professionally as the Alcarans made their way toward the General and himself, Alec thought back to what he had told the General earlier, "If it sound too good to be true, it probably is."

<Tag Everyone>

[Jasmine "Jazzy" Lang]

1103
Delta Site
Gate Room

Strolling into the Gate Room, Major Jasmine Lang tucked the last strand of light brown hair into a nice bun. "Sorry I'm late everyone. I kind of got lost on my way here," stated with a soft smile running a hand ran down the length of her dress uniforms smoothing out the non existent wrinkles. This place was hard to find your way around for being new. General Kepler had in formed that the major to be present for what was, in her mind, a meet and greet with aliens. He called them the Alcaran; a term that was foreign in the doctor's mind. It was still a lot to wrap her mind around the fact that right now she was practicing medicine in another galaxy with other planets of their own. It would be a lot for anyone to take in, but the middle aged woman had to admit that there was more technology here than she thought there would be. Some of the machines even seemed more advanced than the ones back on earth. It was mind blowing but an exciting experience none the less.

The surgeon stood to the side making sure that she had a good view at of what was about to take place. Biting her lips nervously, Jazzy stood there waiting as her eyes darted around the room seeing who all was present. From spending most of the time in the medical wing, the major hadn't really met many people yet due to the fact of getting the everything in order. That was one of this surgeon's biggest pet peeves; when her work area was disorganized and the instruments that were used weren't in the places they belonged. Letting out a soft sigh, the female continued to stand there keeping to herself. Hope this goes by quickly. There is still a lot that needs to get in order thought to herself rocking back and forth on heels of her shoes.

<tag anyone>

[Andy Buchanan]

1103
Delta Site
Gate Room

Andy glanced at Silea as she made conversation with him - casual, easy conversation in a way she had never used before. It made him feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, like someone had lit up a spot in his belly that had been cold for a long time.

It was a good feeling and as such, did much to counter his usual shyness.

"I've never got the dress uniform thing myself," he confided. "I mean, look at me. I'm a grub-about-in-the-dirt sort of guy. I don't do dressed up." He gave her a rueful smile at her comment about how the uniform was hanging off him.

"I don't get it. I've been eating like a horse lately, but I keep getting skinnier. Any more weight loss and I'll have to start taking care when I walk over drains. Or wear matchsticks behind my ears so I don't fall through."

There was a pause: not an uncomfortable one.

"You look really nice today," he said, eventually, a slight tinge of pink flaring on his neck. "I meant to tell you before. But - ah - I'm not so good at saying what I think. You probably noticed that, though."

Automatically, Andy stood up a little straighter, more to attention when the final chevron locked into position and the wormhole flared out. Regardless of how he felt about dress uniform, he remained aware that he had been chosen as part of a delegation to represent the Earth. He didn't want the Alcarans to go back home and say 'those Earthlings? Oh, they're a bunch of slobs', now, did he?

"This," he said to Silea, his voice as excited as a little boy's, "is going to be so great! I can't wait to get my hands on you. I mean the technology."

He was that excited that he didn't even notice his own Freudian slip.

<Tag: Silea, all>

[John "Cutty" Cutter]

1104
Delta Site
Gate Room

John stood as straight as he could, since the crutches did not allow him to really stand straight. Silea and Andy were chatting quietly to his right. The chevrons began to lock on the gate, so hopefully this initial meeting would finally be happening. John couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Silea and Andy, when out of the blue he heard Andy say, This is going to be so great! I can't wait to get my hands on you. I mean the technology.

John looked to his right at Andy, and gave him a nudge over the comment. He wasn't sure that Andy actually heard what he said, but he knew for sure that Silea had heard it, as did he. Jeez Andy, watch what you say.

<Tag Anyone>

[Andy Buchanan]

1104
Delta Site
Gate Room

Genuinely unaware that he had said anything untoward at all, Andy glanced across at Cutty, a look of total and utter bewilderment on his face. "What'd I say?" he said, his face one of complete confusion as Cutty nudged him in the ribs. "And what do you do to your elbows? Sharpen them?"

Increasingly, Andy had been exteriorising his internal thoughts in this way: most likely one of the continued changes to his psychological condition. It tied in with his newer, more reckless personality quite neatly.

It was evident from the baffled expression that he genuinely had no idea what he'd just said and he looked back at Silea, rolling his eyes in a mockery of a long-suffering look. "I have no idea how Honey puts up with him, I really don't."

He returned his gaze to the Stargate and went back to hopping from foot to foot.

<Tag: All>

[Alavair "Zoidberg" Leah]

1104
Delta Site
Gate Room

Laughing slightly, Alavair tried to force himself to regain his serious stance as the wormhole began to form. Perhaps it was bad practice for he and Troy to be making jokes about the Alcarans, although it wasn't like any of the others that may have heard them were going to run to tattle. He had considered a reply to Troy's robe comment, although he hadn't been able to speak before the wormhole flared to life. Putting a smile onto his face, Alavair tried to focus on the task at hand. They needed this technology, so first and foremost they had to make sure that the Alcarans were satisfied with their visit. Listening to everything going on around him, he almost lost it again as he heard Andy trying to speak. While he didn't particularly know Andy very well, he had heard good things about him from Ayden when she was reviewing personnel files. Glancing toward him, Alavair shook his head back and forth, muttering low enough that only Andy and Cutty would be able to hear him.

"Smooth Casanova.

Turning his attention back to the gate, he saw that three figures were stepping out of it. All three seemed to be of regular build, nothing unusual in that respect. All three wore elaborate robes (as was customary among the Alcarans), and it was easy to see that the man in the center was their leader. He wore a long emerald robe, a golden outline set in it. His mask seemed to be golden, although it could have merely been the same color. The other two men were summarily eye catching, wearing ruby and sapphire robes respectively. Both of the flankers wore silver masks, an obvious sign that they were of a lower rank than the man in the middle. One of the two men carried a small box, only about the size of a briefcase. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this was the shield generator that they had promised the expedition, and Alavair's heart skipped a beat as he looked upon it. Giving the lead man a slight nod, Alavair smiled. Now he would wait for Troy to make his move, and see how a true diplomat would handle this situation. Sadly enough, Alavair's mind had instantly recognized the more run and gun aspect of things, already finding three good sources of cover within the room and a defensible exit. If for any reason this didn't turn out the way it was supposed too, he wanted to be prepared.

<Tag Troy>

[Troy Loveridge]

1105
Delta Site
Gate Room

With the final chevron locking into place, the entire room stood to attention, and watched as the event horizon formed within the circular limits of the base's Stargate. The watery surface flattered out, and brought forth a group of strangely attired alien travelers - the Alcaran delegates. They were dressed from head to toe in long and flowing form covering robes of a variety of colors, with matching full faced masks. It had been proposed and confirmed by the Alcarans that the colors of an individual's robe and mask were related to their family, their occupation and position, and their place within the social ladder, although a full explanation had never been offered. No one had even seen under the robes or mask, though they were roughly human in figure.

The group moved down the ramp led by one individual who Troy suspected to be a female, despite the androgynous nature of their attire. "Greetings," General Kepler said, stepping forward. "I am Major General Frank Kepler, leader of this facility." The Marine commander went on the introduce the key individuals inside the room, and those that would be interacting with the Alcarans on their visit to the base. "And I am Minerva," said the lead female, "Second Doctor of Sciences, and adviser to the Alcaran Council." Pleasantries continued to be exchanged.

At the rear of the group, Troy caught his first glimpse of the device the delegates had brought with them. It was said to be powerful shield generator, up to three to four times more powerful than the latest the Asgard had to power, and required only half the power requirements. It was so nice tech, probably the pinnacle of anything the expedition had been granted access to - the scientists would love it.

Troy was introduced to the delegate party by the General and exchanged hand shakes with them, a greeting the aliens had been introduced to by previous encounters with the expedition. One-by-one, the Alcarans moved around the room, greeting and introducing themselves to all present.

< Tag SD-1 & Base Personnel >