Episode Thirteen: Past Problems

[Troy Loveridge]

1440
Erta
Village

Seated cross legged on the ground in front of a village elder, SD-1 listened intently to the village elder tell them of their people's history. So far, there had been no great achievements or victories, no great technologies or medicines, and few encounters with the Olympians with the exception of Apollo, who occasionally came seeking offerings. No, these were a simple people, but if there was one thing Troy had learned in this galaxy, it was that when it came to the crunch, it was the little guys who had the real difference in affairs of galactic importance.

It was for this reason that the team, along with the accompaniment of the Amazonian Queen Penthesilea, who had traded with these people in the past and had a relationship with them, were out here, getting to know the locals and make friends where ever possible. It had been only through the actions of the Alcarans, Nemeans and Giganites that the expedition had scrapped through by the skin of it's teeth during their stand off at the doorstep of the Delta Site two months ago, and with the Olympians quiet lately, now was a good time to try and extend the expedition influence throughout the galaxy.

It was also the teams first mission without Doctor Beatrice Cutter, who had returned to Earth. Her work her in the Delian Galaxy had not gone unnoticed, and there had been renewed interest back home in her writings on ancient texts and mythology. She would still remain in touch with the SGC back home as a consultant, and would no doubt trek out here to visit her husband, the newly promoted Staff Sergeant John Cutter. As strange as it was not having her around, Troy hoped her vacancy would only be temporary.

The village leader continued to speak, and Troy snapped back to reality.

< Tag SD-1 >

[Will O'Malley]

1440
Erta
Village

Eyes fixed upon the village elder, Will found his attention span wanning in and out of reality. The CMO had been hoping - though he knew it was slightly unlikely - that this village would have some sort of medical-something-something that would change his life forever. Something that would revolutionize how he held a scalpel, or looked at different forms of viruses...but no. These people didn't really have much to offer them so far. Not much with Olympians, technology, or even anything...really. O'Malley wanted to pay attention, but the Major kept finding his mind drifting. Going back to the Infirmary where he had things to do...things that required his attention probably later tonight.

The Major loved going off world with his team - his family - but when things didn't turn out right, he couldn't help but thinking of more important things he could be doing. True, he would never voice it to Troy, Chris, Cutty, or even his fellow ex-BA man - Andy. It was just one of those things that was meant to stay in your mind.

Will's eyes slid aorund the group to all the members...and that Amazon-Queen, woman. He missed Honey, and was almost annoyed that there was someone else in her spot upon the team. Apparently Penthesilea was from an earlier SD-1 mission, way before Will's time on the team. His opinions of her were still pending, but in the back of his mind he felt like she was an outsider to the tighty-nit SD-1 team...though she was probably going to mesh fine with all of them. Either that, or she would be driven nuts by all of them and leave....

<Tag SD-1>

[Penthesilea]

1440
Erta
Village


It was defiantly different being away from her people. It was Cleite, her second in command's idea, for her to accompany SD-1 one to Erta. It had been a while since she left her people, not since the fall of Smyrna, not since the death of her belove daughter Acacia and many of her people as well as the Gargarean's, opposite in every way to the Amazonians. For a long time she had blamed these people for the destruction of her home, deluded in thinking that if they had never made contact, Ares would have never come. But he would have come no matter what. It was as if he knew where they were, like he had been to the planet before, knowing where to strike.

So finally Penthesilea came out from her seclusion and personally acted as a liaison for Tau'ri and the Ertans, for the Ertans did not trust so easily, leaving Cleite in charge of her people back on Nemea. She did have to admit, though, only to herself, that she always did find Troy Loveridge to be a very...interesting person, she wouldn't have chosen him when they first met otherwise.

Penthesilea studied the Tau'ri people as they listened to the Ertans, some of them seemed distracted, thinking of something else rather than where they were. One of them, she didn't know his name, though she was pretty sure it was introduced to her, was looking at her briefly. Normally she would kill someone who looked at her like that, but she would have to restrain herself. The Tau'ri were enemy of the Olympian gods, and as the multi-galactic saying went, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' She now believed that befriending the Tau'ri would help her goal of destroying Ares, fulfilling her need for revenge.

"It is so very good to meet with you again, Elan" she said to the village elder once he was finished with his history lesson. "And with you Silea, though it has been a while since you have graced us with your presence your highness," he stated as a matter of fact. "Yes, well, I've had much to deal with. But I am glad I have come today, to further out relations and hopefully gain you another friend in Col. Loveridge and his people. They show great potential."

<Tag the Tau'ri>

[John "Cutty" Cutter]

1440 Zulu
Erta
Village

John was pacing around the village not really paying any attention to the meeting that was taking place. Honey had been transferred back to Earth, and he missed her terribly. The new stripe on his BDUs was no consolation, he would have gladly traded the stripe for the return of Honey.

They had come here with the Amazon Queen, and John thought back to their original meeting. She had tried to seduce Troy and John and Chris had to work hard to keep their CO safe. As he wandered around the village he looked at the housing, the kids playing, and the adults going about their daily lives. No one paid much attention to him, and in the mood he was in, it was probably the best thing.

<Tag SD-1>

[Troy Loveridge]

1441
Erta
Village

At the conclusion of the chieftains retelling of the 'Drought of Thirteen Moons', Troy and SD-1 applauded. While back on Earth it would be hardly worry of a mention on the back page of a tabloid magazine, such events were defining for these people, who simplicity and hospitality was humbling. Sometimes Troy truly believed these 'savages' were more civilized than the average Joe back in the streets on Earth. Everyone could learn a lot about themselves and society as a whole by spending time with the people on Erta.

Penthesilea - or Silea as she'd asked the team to referred to her ask - was the official liaison between the tribe and SD-1. The Amazon Queen went back a long way with these people, perhaps even generations, though it seemed they hadn't gone as far as to steal males they required for breeding, a practice which seemed confined to their home world, which had since been destroyed by Ares.

"It is so very good to meet with you again, Elan," she said, Troy wondering if she was using the name natural pheromones on the man which she had used to seduce and control Troy back on Smyrma. "And with you Silea, though it has been a while since you have graced us with your presence your highness," the chieftain replied. "Yes, well, I've had much to deal with. But I am glad I have come today, to further out relations and hopefully gain you another friend in Col. Loveridge and his people. They show great potential."

Being labeled as having 'potential' was to Troy the same as the Asgard calling humans 'young'. He appreciated that the Erta knew nothing of his people, but hoped to make heaps and bounds on this initial meeting. Troy introduced himself to Elan, and stepped back to allow Will, Chris and Andy to do the same. Stealing a moment, he scanned the village, looking for John. The Staff Sergeant had volunteered to walk the perimeter, just in case, and was obviously upset with Honey's departure. Troy would have to have a word with him later.

< Tag SD-1 >

[Andy Buchanan]

1441
Erta
Village

Andy had initially made the offer to take up perimeter, always feeling faintly uncomfortable in 'first contact' situations, however the look of agitated melancholy that Cutty had demonstrated had made him give way and he'd trailed in at the back of the little group to meet the village elders.

Despite himself, he had found himself rapt with attention when the story telling had begun and one of the loudest rounds of applause at the end came from the young engineer.

He'd been well informed about past events with Colonel Loveridge and this Silea woman and despite himself, he couldn't help shooting sideways glances at her throughout the story telling. She was absolutely stunning and more than a little pleasing to the eye.

Like the others, Andy also missed Honey. She had become something of a sister-figure for him of late, particularly given that the number of mood swings he'd been suffering recently had increased and he frequently found himself in the darkest, blackest of moods that somehow Honey had the ability to gently haul him out from. He'd shared with Will the information he'd gleaned whilst in the alternate dimension about the 'other' Andy Buchanan's gradual mental breakdown following exposure to radiation and was undergoing regular tests and scans. His altered moods were not yet being treated medically as it was unclear what the underlying cause was.

However, this particular day found him in fine fettle and when it was his turn to be introduced, he inclined his head graciously.

"Andy Buchanan," he said by way of an introduction, leaving off his rank. He felt it was somehow inappropriate around these simple folk. He treated the elder to a dazzling smile, then fell back to allow the others forward. He was always content to remain in the background, especially when it allowed him a great view of Silea.

Inappropriate thoughts, Buchanan, buck your ideas up, laddo.

<Tag: Any/All>

[Will O'Malley]

1441
Erta
Village

Penthesilea - or Silea, as Will remembered her asking to be called, spoke to the village elder, "It is so very good to meet with you again, Elan.
"And with you Silea, though it has been a while since you have graced us with your presence your highness," he stated as a matter of fact. "Yes, well, I've had much to deal with. But I am glad I have come today, to further out relations and hopefully gain you another friend in Col. Loveridge and his people. They show great potential."

O'Malley carefully watched as Silea spoke, pondering her words. Great potential? I guess that's a compliment, the Major pondered, remembering the stories he had been told of her seducing the males on the team - and mostly Troy. The thought brought a well-concealed smirk to the CMO's lips, as the image of her pulling Troy by the collar and out of sight, washed through his mind.
I really do need more sleep, he mentally mocked himself, realizing how crazy he really could go, thanks to his AU self, that had fallen all-the-way. Even if what had pushed the other Will into his "ways" was circumstantial, the potential was still within himself. Ever since he had seen that disturbing file, he had spent almost too much time thinking about it all. Even more on his mind, was Andy's possible conditions. It was all there...but unlike AU Andy, this one had Will who knew about the "issues" in advanced, and had been giving him various medication to heal him up, and avoid Pica and MPD. Even if the prospect of Andy having the desire to eat inedible objects was amusing, the condition was quite deadly...considering the human stomach and teeth cannot properly digest certain things...like metal.

Will glanced at the other SD-1 members as the story of 'Drought of Thirteen Moons' was finished, clapping right along with them. A smirk spread across O'Malley's face as he caught Andy's gaze upon Silea. Bad Andy... he smirked, shaking his head slightly at the idea of him falling for an Amazon woman. They honestly scared Will a little...even if he did have a thing for strongish women...

"Will O'Malley," the Major reported, feeling like rank wasn't needed here. All they needed to know was who was in charge and second in command. The rest really didn't matter - just unneeded titles that would only add to the confusion and "lost in translation" condition.

<Tag SD-1 + Silea >

[John "Cutty" Cutter]

1442
Erta
Village

John slowly walked around the village , taking in the sight smells and sounds. The rest of the team had all gotten up to introduce themselves are he approached the area they had been seated in.

John Cutter. he said as he approched the group. Colonel. I've made a preliminary scan around the village. Everything seems to be in order, sir. He had spoken softly so as not to offend the village elders or Silea. He was still struggling with Honey leaving, and Silea had left a bad taste in his mouth the last time they had met, so this was not where he had wanted to be. He could tell by the look on Troy's face, that they would more than likely be having a chat later. Orders, sir?

<Tag SD-1>

[Troy Loveridge]

1442
Erta
Village

As the others did the old meet and greet with the local leaders, Cutty brought forth his sitrep. "Colonel. I've made a preliminary scan around the village. Everything seems to be in order, sir." Troy nodded, and patted the man on the soldier. Although probably far from the touchy feeling type, Troy wanted him to know he was there for the NCO, and hurting at Honey’s reassignment as well. "Good to hear, I think we're in for a quiet one today. A nice change."

"Orders, sir?" Cutty replied. Troy surveyed the village. So far everything was going well. Silea did seem to know these people as well as she claimed, and so far there was no hint of the trickery displayed the first time the two had met. It could have been the new found trust she'd formed with her male counterpart tribe since SD-1's first meeting, or maybe a social change following the destruction of their planet and subsequent relocation to Nemea. Either way, things were going smooth.

Being the one who'd had to snap Troy back to reality, it was no surprise John was antsy about Silea being here. She'd been on her best behavior and an asset to the team... so far. Troy did want to trust her, and in time believed he and the team good. In the mean time though, it never hurt to take precautions. "Just keep an eye out," Troy said, lowering his voice below outsider's earshot. Cutty had saved his hide on Smyrma, but hopefully he wouldn't have to again.

At the far end of the communal square, a number of elderly men in flowing capes and tall and elaborate headgear were forming around a shrine of sorts, conversing among themselves. As he watched, three more joined their numbers. The rest of the villagers went about their daily life, either ignoring the men or having accepted it as a part of daily life. What concerned Troy was the carving on the centerpiece of the shrine; he couldn't be certain, but they looked like an ancient Olympian script the team had encountered a few times off world.

"Elan," Troy said, approaching the chieftain. "Can you tell us about the shrine over there?" The man nodded, and lead the team across the square. By the time they'd reached it, two more elderly men - priest perhaps? - had joined the congregation. Pulling up in front of the shrine, Elan turned and explained its purpose and significance to the team.

< Tag SD-1 and the lucky sod who get's to NPC Elan >

[Penthesilea]

1443
Erta
Village


So far, things were going good, according to her observations. So far, the Tau'ri either distrusted her, lusted after her, or just simply were puzzled by her. But then, perhaps she felt a little of the same way about them (in no particular order). Silea followed the group out of the hut, she sort of fell to the back of the group once Troy had started talking to Elan. As she was an observer, she too noticed the conjugation of old men in odd clothing, and found the site all too familiar.

"That is the shrine of Apollo, the mighty and wondrous god that watches over us. It has been decided that shall be a feast in honor of you first visit with us. They pray to Apollo to watch over you until your return with your contribution to the feast." Elan explained. "Silea my dear, my old bones are aching something fierce, perhaps you could accompany these fine gentlemen, explain all that they need to know."

"I would be happy to Elan. We shall return shortly." she said to Elan, and as he walked away, she turned to Troy, "It is their tradition for the guests of the feast to provide the meat for the main course, I hope you know how to hunt?" she said as she retrieved a rather large knife for somewhere hidden on her, which would make one wonder where the heck it came from.

<taggy>[/i]

[Will O'Malley]

1444
Erta
Village

As the group introduced themselves to Elan, Cutty reappeared, "Colonel. I've made a preliminary scan around the village. Everything seems to be in order, sir," Cutty reported, after introducing himself. Troy placed a hand on the man's shoulder - a gesture to reflect that he - as well as the team - was there for the bloke. They all missed Honey...but it was almost unfair for John. His wife was in another galaxy...

"Orders, sir?" Cutty continued - Loveridge replying, "Just keep an eye out."

That is such a weird expression, Will realized, shaking his head slightly at the odd visuals that over-analyzing the expression produced. Like Lee, his little brother who he hardly spoke about - he had a quite vivid imagination. It always perplexed him why other's couldn't picture things as easily as he. It was simply something he had gotten used to...even if it wasn't as bad as Lee's. Now that boy had the most powerful imagination he had ever witnessed. A memory of Will pulling a blanket over Lee's head when he was like...five. The poor kid freaked out and was convinced that the boogie-man, plus a gang of bad-guys that were in the form of spiders in ballet shoes, were trying to EAT him. That was the largest belly-laugh Will had for a long time...

Have I ever mentioned that wanker here? he suddenly wondered, realizing how little he had ever mentioned his family at all at Delta, to everyone...even his team and Cara.

A group of elderly men in strange clothing seemed to be gather around a strange shrine - Will opening his mouth to comment, but luckily Troy jumped in and said something far more appropriate, "Elan," Troy said, approaching the chieftain, "Can you tell us about the shrine over there?"

"That is the shrine of Apollo, the mighty and wondrous god that watches over us. It has been decided that shall be a feast in honor of you first visit with us. They pray to Apollo to watch over you until your return with your contribution to the feast." Elan explained. "Silea my dear, my old bones are aching something fierce, perhaps you could accompany these fine gentlemen, explain all that they need to know."

"I would be happy to Elan. We shall return shortly." she said to Elan, and as he walked away, she turned to Troy, "It is their tradition for the guests of the feast to provide the meat for the main course, I hope you know how to hunt?"

Will glanced over at Troy, picturing them chasing a cow with an assault riffle, before changing his gaze to Andy, "I'm surprised non of the local-girls have swooned and screamed 'Apollo!' at ya yet," he teased, saying it low enough so none of the locals could overhear.

<Tag SD-1+All>

[Phoebe Bains]

1444
Erta
Village

Doctor Phoebe Bains had stayed standing behind the group, she admitted to herself, she felt a little out of place working with the team, she knew it was only a temporary assignment but that only made her feel a little apprehensive about the whole situation. Right now all she was doing was listening to what was going on, she did not feel the need to speak and the fact she didn't want to made herself appear the fool.

Standing with a straight posture she showed a neutral facial expression, she didn't want to appear disrespectful but she did not know how to react to this situation, Phoebe never really had good at all that diplomatic business, and she had a feel she never would be, which was a pretty sad thing to say. Right now she had different thoughts crossing her mind and causing more mayhem than she knew how to handle but it was like that in her head all the time, so at least that was normal. Right?

Her eyebrow went up when there was a mention of the shrine. Now this she was interested in finding out about. What could she say, she loved to learn about new things, she was an academic person after all. She smiled a little to herself as she listened to whom the shrine belonged to.

Phoebe closed her eyes at the thought of having to hunt for the meat, she knew how to fire a gun just. It was a good job she was not a vegetarian otherwise she would have been screwed big time.

<Tag>

[Andy Buchanan]

1445
Erta
Village

"I'm surprised none of the local girls have swooned and screamed 'Apollo!' at ya yet."

Andy glanced at Will and pulled a face that was decidedly un-regal in its majesty. "The last thing I need is to go through that rigmarole again," he muttered back. "Which does lead me to wonder if these folks have ever actually met their 'god'."

He broke off as Silea's sudden production of a knife, seemingly out of nowhere, caught his attention.

"Now that," he sighed with open and obvious admiration, "is ALL woman."

The normally stoic, impenetrable young engineer was practically staring at Silea, his tongue all but hanging out of his mouth in true comic fashion. It was so unlike him - or at least, so unlike the Andy Buchanan of a few months ago.

"So, we have to hunt, right? I can do that." He tore his gaze away from Silea and focused on the matter in hand. "What are we talking? Deer? Boar? Something of that ilk? Or elk, maybe?" He nudged Will. "See what I did there?"

Yes. Andy Buchanan was definitely a different man.

<Tag: Any/All>

[Troy Loveridge]

OOC: Sorry about the unexplained AWOL, took a while to get the net connected when I moved back to college :/ let's get this show on the road! And Phoebe, welcome to the mission! ;D

1445
Erta
Village

"That is the shrine of Apollo, the mighty and wondrous god that watches over us," Elan explained. "It has been decided that shall be a feast in honor of you first visit with us. They pray to Apollo to watch over you until your return with your contribution to the feast." As the leader spoke, more men in the ceremonial robes and head dresses assembled, muttering among themselves in some tongue foreign to Troy's ears. "Silea my dear, my old bones are aching something fierce, perhaps you could accompany these fine gentlemen, explain all that they need to know."

Their Amazonian guide seemed all too happy to oblige. "I would be happy to Elan. We shall return shortly." Following her lead, the team moved from the shrine, bearing toward the outskirts of the village and the forests beyond. "It is their tradition for the guests of the feast to provide the meat for the main course, I hope you know how to hunt?" Like a fair majority of military shooters, Troy had hunted in the past, both as a pass time and as a form of training. Shooting down a range at paper cut outs could only do so much for improving one's weapons proficiency, and stalking live animals that could hear your approach, move unpredictably and on occasion fight back added another dimension to his skills training. It was also a good way to spend a weekend with the boys on downtime, but out in the Delian Galaxy it seemed he was the one who was hunted. "I do alright for myself," he replied.

"So, we have to hunt, right? I can do that." Andy injected. "What are we talking? Deer? Boar? Something of that ilk? Or elk, maybe?" He nudged Will. "See what I did there?" Smirking at the Sergeant's remarks, Troy followed Selia lead, and the team crossed the threshold of the village and moved into the nearby forest. In the past he hunted - or rather been pitted unwillingly against - all manner of mythology creatures. The Nemean Lion, encountered on one of SD-1's first ever mission, was a memorable favorite. Hopefully, today their task would be a bit more on the achievable side.

< Tag SD-1 >

[John "Cutty" Cutter]

1445
Erta
Village

The idea of hunting didn't sound bad to John. He had hunted back on Earth when he was younger, and in his foot locker he had a picture of him and the 12 point buck he had shot on his 17th birthday. He had the team's six as they entered the forest, nothing was sneaking in behind them. He still wasn't sure about Silea, but she had done nothing to prove she would turn on them.

Colonel, I have our six, sir. He spoke loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to scarre any game in the area.

<Tag Anyone>