Episode Fifteen: Exodus (Part One)

[Aleksandr Kamarov]

< Previously, on Stargate Icarus.. >

On it's second tour of duty to the home galaxy of the Asgard as part of Task Force Ida, the Icarus battle cruiser encountered a group strange alien vessels, seemingly organic in nature and not matching anything on record. Upon further investigation they discovered the ships to belong to the Nidhogg, and ancient enemy of the Asgard, unheard of in generations. With the Queen's arrival aboard the vessel, the crew were detained and the Icarus fired upon, forcing it to retreat to the Asgard home world of Orilla to seek assistance.

And now, the conclusion...


Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

The more he drifted into the land of consciousness, the less Aleksandr wanted to be there. His last memory was of the bugs - sorry, the 'Nidhogg' - closing in and attacking the team. They'd fought valiantly, but even with both teams fighting together, the bugs had taken the upper hand. Being almost twice as tall as a human, tripling them in number and having an exoskeleton very resistant to bullets pretty much explained how they'd been captured so swiftly.

If Kamarov had seen anything strange on his ship, it was this very holding cell. Or rather 'tank'. He'd awoken to find himself floating underwater in a thick slimey substance, and by reflex tried to remove the foreign object his found stuffed into his mouth until he realized it was allowing him to breath in the thick gel than surrounded him. He had tried to swim to the top and escape, but found there was no top; the team were trapped into a giant 'bubble' of goo, 20-30 meters is diameter. To further add to the complication they'd been removed of any equipment that they could effect an escape with, to the extreme extend that they'd be stripped of all clothing. If they weren't friends before this experience, they soon would be.

Trying to maintain his modesty, Alek drifted and swam through the thick slimey gel, struggling to move. He was no longer sure which way was 'up', or how long they'd been in here, and only knew he had to find a way to get out. He continued to swim around the walls of the bubble, looking for clues to allow and escape. Had the team not had re-breathers stuffed in their mouths they could have talked it through, but then again, they would also have drowned.

This was, without a doubt, the strangest - and yet ironically most effective - method of imprisonment the Russian had ever heard of!

< Tag Crew >

[Dean "Gamble" de Sarraut]

0654
Orilla
Outside Asgard High Council Chamber

Standing outside the meeting room of the Asgard High Council, Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Dean Francis of the US Navy tapped his foot and looked at his watch, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the Icarus. First day on the job and he's bloody late!. Judging from his watch, the Earth cruiser should have made Orilla's orbit over an hour ago, leaving Francis and the Asgard High Council waiting. Dean was surprised by this turn of events; they'd been expecting the 303B to be ahead of schedule, not behind.

Through the large double doors behind him, the Asgard High Council were waiting, eager to meet the newest members of Task Force Ida, Earth's second tour of duty to the Asgard's home galaxy. With the Replicators and Goa'uld threats now defeated and severely weakening the once powerful Asgard, the humans had stepped in to held a hand while their little grey friends got their act back together. Hopefully the favor would not be forgotten in the future.

"Your ship approaches," said an Asgard from a nearby terminal. About bloody time!" Dean through to himself, trying to offer the alien a faked smile. With a blinding flash of light, Colonel Harrison and Idun appeared in the lobby, with Dean quickly moving toward them. "Where the hell have you been?" Dean inquiring in a not too pleasant tone, lowering his voice so the nearby Asgard wouldn't hear. "You're keep the council waiting. And where hell is everyone else?"

< Tag Harrison & Idun >

[idun]

0654
Orilla
Outside Asgard High Council Chamber

As they beamed down, Idun was pleased he was home. Though it wasn't the home he had, but since the Replicator's infested the old one. There was not much else to do, but to try to work out what could be done. He looked at the other human and assumed he was the leader. "Your hyperdrive system was damaged and wasn't powerful enough to get here at the prescribed time." he said hoping it would cover the other human's failings.

He was approached by Tyr, and spoke in their native language so that the Human's would not hear him.

"They have returned" Idun said as he blinked a few times. “The Human's would be dead by now, the Nidhogg would have no use for them. If they have waited this long to show themselves then they must have a force behind them" Idun stated to his closest friend.

"Indeed, the High council will hear your proposals. The Human's will remain here with their vessel docked for repairs. This is an urgent matter that now takes priority to others" Tyr replied showing the look of concern.

"Agreed, the Ori will be dealt with at another time. The Council must agree to the proposal I created during the last war" Idun said sadly.

"You were the one that counted that, you said it was no a viable option" Tyr commented. He was right; Idun went against his own proposal. It was too dangerous to activate and use, but now there was no hope left. "I will speak to the council, I believe the Human's need reassurances. I would like them to come to the public session of the council, but not the private session" Idun said, he realised he may be getting 'soft' on the humans. Though he still thought they were childlike.

"Very well, I will be on the Valkyrie if you need me" Tyr said giving him a nod. "Good Luck Humans" he said before being beamed away.

"The Council is currently attending another matter, you may have to wait for a while" he replied as he walked to a window, and smiled.. well as good as a race that can't smile. "Ahh, there she is" he said looking at the small science vessel floating outside. He noticed the human's were looking outside. "That is my vessel, the Hákonarmál." he said proudly, it was far superior to the human vessel. He knew what the Council were meeting on, it was to do with the Alercarnian device.

< Tag >

Note: I'll post as the Asgard =).

[Jonathon "Yoda" Harrison]

0654

As him and the Asgard beamed to the surface, Harrison immediately saw Admiral Francis and winced, knowing the man's reaction. Upon General Connolly's acceptance of the new post at Homeworld Security, 'Gamble' had been appointed to lead the task force back to the Ida Galaxy. How he had gotten there so fast was what Harrison was slightly confused about, but that was for another time.

"Sir," the Lieutenant Colonel came to attention and began, "We were attacked and while I was incapacitated a boarding party went aboard the enemy ship to investigate ... little di they know at the time it was an ancient race that are enemies of the Asgard. Things were going fine until the aliens suddenly seemed to 'wake up' and captured the away team."

<Tag Anyone>

[Destiny "Silverwing" Andre]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

Slowly, and yet painfully, Captain Destiny Andre awoke feeling as if she had be out for days. Pain throbbed through her aching head as it felt like her eyelids had weights on them. Blinking a few times, the pilot's vision cleared only to find herself trapped in some kind of chamber full of sticky thick goo. At first it was blank trying to figure out where, and how they had gotten here but then everything came back. They were cornered as the Aliens closed in on them. That was the last thing she remembered before everything went black. Looking around to see the others, most of which still out, the captain noticed on a few things. First realizing that they all were able to breath, noticing the re-breathers in her fellow team members mouth. She reached up only to let out a soft sigh, seeing that she too had one. The second realization, however, was more shocking than the first. All of her team members were stripped of every article of clothing they had. Eyes wide, the female looked down at herself noticing it was almost the same with her. Thankfully the Aliens had left a few articles of clothing on her, all of her under garments. These Aliens had some respect for females.

Though Destiny was covered, everyone else was not. Now was the time to act more professional than immature. She had to trust her team mates and just keep a level head about all of this and treat them with the utmost respect no matter what the case they may be. The pilot had to place all trust into everyone else, no matter what the case may be. Seeing someone seeing around, Destiny waved her arms, trying to get their attention, hoping they would see her. Talking might be out of the question, but there was still over forms of communication they could choose from.

<Tag anyone>

[Robert "Scarecrow" Cromin]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

Cromin was on of the first people in the team to be conscious and see the mess they were in. Stuck in a holding chamber of some sort filled with some gel. He was thinking of all the holding cells that he has been in his day but none like this he thought, this was quite messy to him.

Just then he saw destiny moving, I guess she's up he thought. He swam towards her and signaled using sign language.

"Hey Des, welcome back to the land of the living, we are stuck in some tank filled with God knows what and we are currently trying to get out"

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[Tony Hansford]

OOC: I seriously doubt you can talk...

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

Tony opened his eyes, Not again..., Tony had had multiple times naked in a goo prison with his only oxygen coming from the rebreather, but he'd hoped it never happened again, he looked around, everyone was naked, he smiled and bubbles came from under his rebreather as he laughed, this was obviously their first time, as most of them tried to conceal everything, Tony had no problem with being naked infront of everyone.

He continued to swim around, once again getting used to being in a bubble of gel once again, he practiced all kinds of swimming movements, and had fun doing so, Wait till I tell the ladies back on the ship, he thought to himself, then realised that these Nidhogg were smart enough to use his tablet PC and look through the information, but then he realised they had probably destroyed it, which didn't make him feel any better.

< Tag Anyone >

[Nolen "Dragon" Syaira]

OOC: Read the post again Nath, he said sign language

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber


Nolen slowly drifted back to the land of the living. He slowly opened his eyes. The cloudy vision soon disappeared, but then the pain came in floods. Nolen let out a scream of pain but only bubble came out from under his mask. It was then that Nolen realized where he was and for a better word for it what he wasn't wearing. Nolen reached back to the back of his head and felt the large bump on the back of his head. He remembered that during the fight he was thrown against one of the organic walls.

Nolen noticed everyone starting to move around and saw that the females in the group had at least kept some of their clothes. Prophet was using his hands to talk to Des, but Nolen had no idea what he was saying. His head was still spinning and worst yet he couldn't move his right arm. He looked at it and realized why, an old injury during an attempt to rescue his Commander at the time began with an alien snapping his arm in two. It looks as though the old injury had reoccurred again.

Nolen was in too much pain to move so he just stayed in the one spot and tried to clear his head.

<Tag All>

[patrick]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

It seemed that Patrick was one of the few that woke up late though once he did he wished that he was still back sleeping because his whole body was in pain. Patrick couldn't remembered what hit him thought it must have been the aliens now known as the Nidhogg. It was now Patrick felt the slimy substance inside what he thought was a holding cell but once he opened his eyes he was in complete shock to find out that he was inside a tank thing and he was naked inside the tank as well. 'Oh great just great.' Patrick thought to himself he looked around at each of his teammates and wondered how they would get out of this new mess. Patrick hated the thing inside his mouth though he guessed that it was used to help him breathe and didn't want to yank it out but once he was free it'll be the first thing he did.

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[Dean "Gamble" de Sarraut]

0655
Orilla
Outside Asgard High Council Chamber

Jonathon informed the Admiral of the events surrounding they're detailed arrival on Orilla. "Sir," the Lieutenant Colonel came to attention and began, "We were attacked and while I was incapacitated a boarding party went aboard the enemy ship to investigate ... little di they know at the time it was an ancient race that are enemies of the Asgard. Things were going fine until the aliens suddenly seemed to 'wake up' and captured the away team." Dean gave the Colonel a confused look; ancient enemy? The Asgard had managed to use the Dakara super weapon to wipe out the Replicators once and for all, and so far the Ori hadn't so much as peaked a glance at the Ida Galaxy. "Tell me the Replicators aren't back Jon..."

< Tag Harrison >

Now brought up to date, Francis shook his head. He'd read a file - a very brief one at that - about the race Harrison was talking about. They'd been encountered for a very brief instance when the Icarus had accidentally drifted into a hyperspace rift and been transported back in time, but the Nidhogg hadn't been heard from in tens of thousands of years; last he'd read they were no longer even considered a threat to the Asgard. "Give it to me straight Colonel, tactically what are we up against?"

< Tag Harrison >

Idun returned for a conversation with a fellow Asgard. "The Council is currently attending another matter, you may have to wait for a while," he declared. Dean had been concerned about the Icarus' delay holding up the meeting, but it seemed they had more important things on the agenda than the concerns of the 'young and lowly' humans. The Asgard wandered toward a nearby window, and motioned to a ship floating in the distance. "Ahh, there she is," Idun said, practically beaming with pride - that, was of, course if Asgard could beam - "That is my vessel, the Hákonarmál." Dean's eyes were drawn to the ship; a small Asgard science vessel, weak by Asgard standards but no doubt better than anything Earth would ever have at her disposal. "Idun, from what I believe these Nidhogg haven't been a concern for generations, why would they suddenly reappear?"

< Tag Idun and Harrison >

[idun]

OOC: You told me not to bring the council in yet =P

0655
Orilla
Outside Asgard High Council Chamber

He noticed the humans staring at his vessel. He was not allowed one of the newer vessels such as the Valkyrie, due to his consistent disagreements with the council over the humans. The other human seemed to be the supreme command in this case. Francis, Idun believed his name was. The other human seemed scared for some reason; perhaps humans were still as barbaric as he thought. But he decided to answer the human question the best he could.

"We believed we had destroyed them all, this was before many projects that would be considered "horrific" even by your standards were used. They would only return if they truly believed they could destroy us, unless the vessel we found was by as you humans say it "chance".

They despise anything that is not biological; they are haters of all known technology. If this war begins, we may never be able to confront the Ori and other threats to your galaxy." he said, the last bit sadly. It wasn't that he cared for the humans; he would just miss opportunity’s to tease them.

< Tag >

[Aleksandr Kamarov]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

Having gotten accustomed to swimming around the thick goo which filled the sphere they were stuck within, Alek continued to swim around the edge of their confinement, looking for a way to escape. All the crew members were now awake and carrying out similar tasks, no one exactly sure what was going on beyond the semi-transparent walls of their cell. Outside, faint shadows approximately the size and shape of the bugs could be seen every now and again, although their intentions were masked by the thick goo.

Turning and looking at his fellow team mates, Kamarov had to agree this was a great way to contain hostiles. Slowed by the thick goo, and resistance they tried to mount could be easily overcome, and the re-breathers that on one hand kept them alive also stopped them from talking and planning. The exact composure and purpose of the thick semi-liquid was unknown at this point, but it was possible that it preserved and sustained captives for as long as needed. If these bugs were carnivores, this would be how they stored their food. This notion did not inspire confidence within the Russian engineer.

Outside, a large numbers of shadows could be seen to be massing, around a bug that was obviously larger than the rest. Alek swam over to Nolen and Des, and pointed in the direction of the faint outlines, unsure what to make of it.

< Tag Crew >

[Dean "Gamble" de Sarraut]

0656
Orilla
Outside Asgard High Council Chamber

Standing by Idun at the window overlooking the city, Dean listened to the Asgard's tale about their newest enemy. "We believed we had destroyed them all, this was before many projects that would be considered "horrific" even by your standards were used. They would only return if they truly believed they could destroy us, unless the vessel we found was by as you humans say it "chance". They despise anything that is not biological; they are haters of all known technology. If this war begins, we may never be able to confront the Ori and other threats to your galaxy." From this description, they did seem Wraith-like in nature, but at the same time an evil in a class of it's own.

Looking back at the doors to the High Council chamber, Dean again checked his watch. While he had at one point been concerned of holding up the council, he could now see they were in no great hurry to meet them. Next time he communicated with Earth he'd have to ask General Connolly what the secret to getting things done around here was. "What about the council?" he asked Idun and Harrison, both of which had experience dealing with the legislative body. "Can we expect support on this one, or will they take their sweet time?"

< Tag Harrison & Idun >

[Nolen "Dragon" Syaira]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber

Nolen had been sitting in the goo nursing his arm silently by himself. He was in a sever amount of pain and wasn't concentrating on anything. He had noticed the shadows outside of the tank but had no idea on what was going on outside.

Then Alek and Des came swimming towards him. He pulled himself together to concentrate on what they had to say. Nolen watched as they came close, that was when he heard it. "Who are you?" was all it repeated in his head. His face turned from one of concentration and pain to one of confusion. He began to look around the tank frantically looking for some who could speak here. Again the voice came. Nolen started to think that he was going crazy. Then the voice Demanded, "WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM!"

<Tag All>

[Destiny "Silverwing" Andre]

Unknown Time
Nidhogg Cruiser
Holding Chamber


Watching Cromin move his hands, Destiny caught every word that he was saying. With a nod of the head, she quickly replied back with her hands, telling him to go check on the others to make sure everyone else was okay. Turning to take around, the captain saw that Nolen was awake but looked to be in some pain. Just as she was about near him, Alek stopped her pointing to something off to the side. With a turn of the head, Destiny looked in the direction he was pointing. Nodding her head, the young female started to swim towards that location, only to stop as a face entered the head.

"What purpose to you have here? Who are you and why did you come?" a soft but demanding voice entered through her head. The captain looking around in a look of confusion. Her eyes looked at the others, trying to read if they were experiencing the same. Shaking her head, the pilot started to swim again only to be stopped again. "Answer me!" the voice boomed inside her mind. "Who are you? And what are you doing inside me head!?"[/b] thought back trying to make sense of what was going on.

<Tag anyone>