Episode Twenty Eight: Sentient

[Stephanie Amberson]

1050 Local Time: 2 minutes of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

'Upgrading hardware and software in your dreams' Stephanie was thinking to herself as she had already started a code to jam him from doing such a thing. Computers were only as smart as people who created them. She had finally managed to get into CHENN but the only thing she was going to be able to do was keep him from doing any further damage, she wasn't going to be able to stop the release of the neurotoxin. 'Almost' she told herself careful not to do outloud. She could only block, not repair, it would take someone else to do that. "I could use some help" she hissed at anyone who seemed to be a computer tech.

You think you are so smart, You can not make me stop. You think just because you have blocked me that I will give up.

If the computer was scoffing Stephanie inserted that tone of voice for the words as she continued to by pass the system to keep Chenn barricaded off. "I can't stop it" she persisted as she was trying to inform the other that she was merely doing all she could. There was a reason the woman hated computers and this was it really it was. The brunette had half a mind to take her pistol out and shoot the consul but she knew from all her years of experience that it never worked out like it did in the movies.

There were people dying and she had to figure out a way to put a stop to it. That was her job, screw superior officers at this point, she was thinking on her feet and that was how she got where she was at this point in her career. It had definitely not been her attitude, because that was something that was lacking in many instances and on many other former occasions, including this one.

<<Tag: All>>

[Vanessa Angler]

1050 Local Time: 2 minutes of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

No one was listening to her dang it. Despite the smog she managed to pull herself up into a sitting position and coughing bending over she started coughing but grabbed onto whomever was close to her and tried to stand up. She felt tired and heavy but she had to get up there. She looked towards Eli and narrowed her eyes. "Lift me up there" she demanded in a tone that meant she wasn't taking no for an answer. She didn't have time to play games, but she was still weak she was going to need help.

Her head was feeling dizzy and she closed her eyes taking a breathe in and out through her nose trying to clear her head, but nothing would clear her head and she knew that. Her eyes were beginning to sting and she started coughing again. She would do this or die trying, that is just how Vanessa approached life. If they all died and she hadn't tried it was worse than giving it everything she had and still ending up dead.

She sent another glare at the doctor in her vicinity and held out her hand not sure if she was reaching to steady herself of gain some sense of approval. She started coughing and she was feeling still dizzier as the neurotoxin was further setting into her system. At least she could still breathe and somewhat think right?

<<Tag: Eli, Those standing next to her, and all>>

[Kent McKillop]

1051 Local Time: 1 minute of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

Still standing at the wall-mounted computer console, Doctor McKillop had yet to stop his work of translating the alien computer system. Mayan symbols flashed across the screen, often quicker than he could read them, yet he persisted. Deadly gas was being pumped into the room and he only had minutes to live, yet it was as though Kent had all but accepted his fate. By now he'd normally by curled up in the ball on the deck, rocking back and forth in a state of shock. And yet, here he was, working away toward what would probably be his final breath.

Had Kent McKillop finally found an ounce of courage?

His radio was crackling in overdrive with panicked messages being passed back and forth around the vessel, the confusion added to by the orders that were being yelled between people. Major Oxford called to Kent, ordering him to somehow send a Morse code message to the USS Aeneid which was just off their bow, with the hope that the Earth battlecruiser would be able to reach them in time. CHENN had done a good job of blocking their radios, and with no time left, Kent doubted his ability to find the controls for a light that he could blink to get the message out.

It was at this point that Captain Harris mentioned the escape pods that she'd found. Yes, they'd do the trick! Switching between screens, Kent quickly found the command page for the escape pods. There wasn't time to get everyone down to them, but if he ejected them all into space it would get the Aeneid's attention soon enough. Without thinking, he hit the launch button and fired all the empty pods out into space. In retrospect he probably should have asked for permission before doing that...

"I've... err... launched all the escape pods," he declared, both out aloud and over his radio. "I should... hopefully... get some attention." It was now too late to wonder about the repercussions for acting without asking. Besides, he'd been dead soon enough.

With his makeshift warning message activated, the archaeologist turned his attention back to the problem at hand, that being the deadly gas that was pumping into the ship. Continuing to flick through the internal systems of the vessel, McKillop kept noticing one that he hadn't yet checked - employee health and safety regulations. With little to lose he opened up the file and had a quick read, resulting in a grin beginning to form on his face.

"Miss Cobb," he called over the radio. "I've found a fire suppressant system in the next room over. I'm locked out but there appears to be a manual override in the overhead crawl space. It's worth a shot." From what he was reading the system would spray a thick foam from the roof to snuff out fires, but it looked as though it was also designed to stop some gas leaks. There was no way of knowing if it'd be effective or not, but they didn't have anything else to go for.

"And hurry! One minute of air remaining!"

< Tag Tabby, Base Personnel & SD-2 >

[Troy Loveridge]

1051 Local Time: 1 minute of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

The colonel continued to assist Eli as the two attended to Chief Angler, who had come under the effects of the poison gas CHENN was pumping into the ship. Even though he wore silver eagles on his uniform, Troy knew Eli was easily the more qualified, and let the MD take control of the situation. On his suggestion they moved Vanessa away from the nearby vent and to a part of the room that was yet to be so heavily gassed. Doctor Byrne continued to comfort the woman and offer her advice, instructing her to control her breathing and try to breathe through her noise.

Troy joined them as Eli put Vanessa down, helping to make her as comfortable as possible. A tingling sensation had built up in his airway, and the colonel coughed as a reflex. Thinking nothing of it he was about to turn back to Vanessa when he detected a familiar taste in his mouth. Turning away so avoid Eli's gaze, he spat out the red liquid that he'd coughed up. Blood. Not a good sign. Wiping his mouth clean be elected to keep this development under grabs. He was still an able body at this point.

The radio came to life with the voice of Captain Harris, who informed Troy that she'd discovered some escape pods by the airlock, which was at the other end of the ship. There probably wasn't time to make it down there, and they wouldn't get a chance anyway - Doctor McKillop took it upon himself to fire off the pods as a distress beacon for the USS Aeneid. "Copy that Captain," he replied, trying not to cough. "Make your way to engineering, we've got wounded that need treatment." Cursing the archaeologist’s name under his breath, Troy turned his attention back to Vanessa.

From across the room Kent declared that they now had less than a minute of oxygen available. Time was almost up. Throughout the whole ordeal Vanessa had been trying to point at the roof, asking she be lifted up. Following his gestures, Troy spied an open access hatch in the ceiling overhead, which must be have related to her attempts to stop the gas. He looked up at Eli. "Do it?" he asked. For a team mate affected by toxic gas, the last thing they wanted to do was hoist her up into the roof and closer to the source of the gas, but did they have a choice?

< Tag Eli & Vanessa, Base Personnel, SD-2 >

[Eli Byrne]

1051 Local Time: Less than 1 minute remaining.
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

Only a few weeks ago, Eli was a professor at UCLA. He lived in a small apartment by himself, working as a surgeon within their hospital as well. His life was simple. He would teach his two classes (one section each) on Tuesday and Thursday (they only met once a week), and work at the hospital the remaining days in the week. His nights would either be filled with grading one of the rare papers he assigned, or going out with friends for a drink. Once in a blue moon, he'd have a date. He'd either get a ping from the hospital, informing him that there was an emergency during the date, and the woman would instantly get irritated...or they'd lose interest. Sometimes it ended well, but no reason to go into details there. The point of this entire flash-back is simple; Eli's life used to be normal. While he'd theorize about how alien biology could work, and sewed people back together the rest of the time...this was a bit of a departure. Now here he was. In a space ship. That's in space. In another solar system. In another galaxy.

While the initial shock of simply being there was wearing off, the shock of being needed, was not. Eli had expected to only sit in the background and sew people together. Never did he think a decision he would make could possibly save everyone's life. As he stared down at Vanessa, the realization crawled up his spine. Ceiling. Gesturing upward. Vanessa knew how to fix it - but no one was paying her any attention.

Pushing herself to a sitting up position, Eli was tempted to fight her for her own safety - but he didn't. Grabbing on to Eli's leg, she pulled herself to her feet, meeting Eli's blue gaze. He could clearly see the haze in her mind, from the slightly strained look in her own light eyes.
"Lift me up there," she demanded, as Eli blinked away the fog of his own mind. The sensation was disturbing at best. It was as if he was starting to lose touch with reality, without having any real control...and that scared him. But that didn't matter. Being scared - being sick. None of it mattered when peoples' lives were on the line.

"Do it?" Troy called, at Eli's hesitation. In his slight pause, Vanessa had started to cough. Hard.

Eli's eyes narrowed, as Vanessa pulled herself together, "You can do this," he assured her, ducking down slightly so she could climb onto his shoulders, with a slight hand motion. There had to be less than a minute of air left. His own head was growing foggier and foggier by the second. Vanessa - who appeared to have it harder than he - had to be nearly lost within her own mind. They had to work fast.

<Tag Vanessa+Others>

[Vanessa Angler]

1051 Local Time: Less than 1 minute remaining.
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

Vanessa really was getting weak but she, as she had told herself earlier, had to do this or die trying. She steadied herself as Eli and Troy helped her to her feet. She heard Eli telling her that she could do this. She just gave him an affirmative nod. 'I have to do this' was her line of thought but she didn't say anything. She had to focus. 60 seconds or less. She would need all of those. As she climbed on top of Eli she realized the gas was thicker up there. Being in the Navy she could hold her breathe for almost a full 3 minutes. It was just how she was and it was going to come in handy. She had to, she was going to be dead anyway. She fumbled for her footing on the air vent as she did exactly that and closed off her airways. It was foggy up here and there was just enough room for her to lay down and support herself and still reach the wire. One of her legs was left dangling precariously out of the vent.

It was so foggy she was going to have to feel her way around that was just great. She eventually found the system she was looking for. She felt the coupling in her hands, her eyes stung but she had to do this. The only help she had now wasn't going to be able to get there in time. She still felt very light headed as she ripped the first coupling out of place, still trying to balance on the edge. There was a loud clattering sound as she started ripping couplings from their place and they hit the top of the vent. Okay they were out but they were going to have to go back in now, in the opposite order. They were written in some strange language, if she had to take a guess it was some sort of symbolic language, it was one she didn't know but at least she knew where NOT to put the wires.

She started mixing them up from their original position, still holding her breathe, she was moving as quick as she could which in this neurotoxin was hardly fast enough for her liking. Click. The first wire went back into a slot. Click. Second wire back in its place. There was a whirling sound as something kicked on. Crap the grounding wire where was it? She fumbled around for it. Ah there it was. Click. The foggy air around her hadn't gotten worse while she worked because it hadn't been emitting any fog but it hadn't gotten any better either. She flipped the switch, the only problem was all that air was going to come rushing at her now.. All that fog and neurotoxin.

She had 2 choices at this point a) collapse where she was and try to keep holding her breathe until it was all out or b) push herself out of there and hope she had done this right. No she only got one shot at it. She pushed herself out of the vent and went falling towards the floor as she let go of her breathe. She hit the floor with a solid thud. Ow now that was going to hurt, but at least she hadn't hurt anyone else in the process? She just hoped the air around her would clear out as she laid there. Her eyes were stinging and red now. Her breathing was sporadic. She closed her eyes, she could still hear things around her but she couldn't move. She didn't know if it was from the toxin or the lack of oxygen but she was trying to go to sleep and she wasn't really aware of the fog around them. Vanessa needed medical attention at this point. Flushing her system of the neurotoxin was about the only thing she could do. If her plan had worked they would all be breathing here again soon. Sleep yes she wanted sleep at this point. She closed her heavy eyelids and gave into the sleep finally.

<<Tag: Eli, Troy, All>>

[Eli Byrne]

1052 Local Time: Vents on
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

Eli silently watched as Vanessa crawled up into the vent, his mind and eyes with her. It was really all up to her, because no one had made the same connection she had to...do something up there. Since the shaft looked like a ventilation shaft, he imagined it had something to do with turning on air circulation. Since ships probably had limited air, there had to be a way to clean out the CO₂ from it...? Right? Otherwise everyone would suffer from various forms of asphyxiation of the CO₂ sort. So whatever she was doing, would hopefully clean the air. Maybe. This was like a rocket scientist staring inside a human body - while he understood what was happening, he wasn't trained to know what the hell was going on. Just make a series of educated guesses to keep his mind at ease. Hopefully that would work. Hopeful thinking never hurt anyone. Well...it probably did, but at this moment in time, it really didn't matter.

Eli's eyes slowly closed slowly, as the toxins started to take hold of his brain. He quickly shook his head - rubbing his hand upon his temple. Mere seconds remained. His mind wanted to wrap around the idea of how to fix everyone. Think of the smell of clean air. What various elements to use to cleanse people. Wanted to think of Chorella, 5-HTP, and even Ginkgo Biloba...maybe garlic. But he couldn't. It felt as if he couldn't comprehend the items - nor the fact that they were injected into the bloodstream to detoxify from neurotoxins. He started coughing - eyes still glancing up at where Vanessa had disappeared. He fell to his knees. He didn't look around, but he felt like he wasn't alone with his struggle. His eyes watered. His heart hammered. His head pounded.

Then a sound. Like a growl. The air around him appeared...less foggy. Or at least the fog was moving around, giving the impression of cleaner air. He took a breath - it tasted cleaner. With this revelation, his eyes shot up to Vanessa. Was she...?

Eli looked up - having not moved from the spot where he helped her to the place, and saw her coming down. Fast. He tried to hold up his arms and take a step back in order to actually catch her...but his slowed reaction times landed him flat on his stomach. Air knocked out of him. A rather lovely girl on his back. Normally he wouldn't mind this - but she was possibly dead. With the level of toxins she was dealing with, the air pressure could have pushed her out.

Sliding himself out from under her, he took a breath. It was a clean breath. He laughed slightly under his breath, as he moved himself next to Vanessa.

While simply breathing clean air cannot undo the full effects of any neurotoxin - the properties of this particular alien type, seemed to at least 'de-fog the mind' upon breathing clean air. He knew he had to treat every last person here, but he didn't have the tools. Not even close. They all had to get back to Delta and receive extensive detox.

"You did it," he smiled down at Vanessa, crouching beside her, as he gave her a quick checkup. Nothing appeared to be broken from the fall...of his nor hers. Possible concussion from the head's impact. Bruises forming (most likely) upon the tailbone, and elbows. Her eyes glided shut in a much deserved sleep. For her health, he should have woken her up. Instead, he simply squeezed her shoulder in a, 'good job,' sort of appreciation to the now unconscious girl.
"With the clean air, you can sleep," he whispered, realizing the level of talent of the people he was with.

This lot was hand selected from the planet Earth to explore this galaxy and keep the Earth and humanity safe from any alien threats. They were the best of the best. And he was one of them...either that or some sort of experiment where they chose an average person. Like watching a cat swim. Weird metaphor, but it made sense in Eli's murky mind.

The room was now fog-free - or at least to the naked eye.

"Sir," he addressed Troy, "We need to get everyone back to Delta Base or some sort of medical center with extensive tools, so everyone can go through detox - sooner rather than later. We all have a dangerous level of toxins within us. Sure you feel better now, but that's like the first bite of food after a stomach flu. It's delicious, but you know you're going to throw it up within the hour."

He felt slightly bad for the rash metaphor, but peoples' lives were at stake. The disaster might be adverted, but there was a long way to go yet.

<Tag Troy+Vanessa+Anyone Else>

[James Calmara]

1050 Local Time: 2 minutes of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel – Pelion Orbit
Hunting for Gimbal

It proved a relatively easy job to find the symbol and whatever components were attached or designated by it. The hard part would be getting at them as they were of course right at the back and partly obscured by the other components in front of it. The effects of the neurotoxin were beginning to bite as well now, making things like concentration and fine motor skills increasingly difficult.

Setting his flashlight into his top vest pocket, he began winding his hands round the obstacles top, having to adjust his stance and positioning every so often, getting a good look at what he was after. With his hand in the panel he tried picture the different components to relate how things felt with what they were. ”Ok, what you looking for is a starfish shaped with point set up slightly. Pull it out and twist it 170 degrees. Slot it back in place.” He called over his shoulder.

Now with a hand on distributing regulator he pried it lose so it popped up and then manipulated it to the correct position and attempted to lock it in its new position, the stubborn regulator needed a whack or two with the heal of his palm. Something that did not work to well with being slowly poisoned, he went very light headed for a moment. Despite this ‘warning shot’ of sorts or maybe even because of this he stepped away from his panel and spun round to face the other two which was a mistake.

His vision, hearing, motor control and awareness of where he was went, he sunk to the floor and for a moment every thing went black.

1051 Local Time: Less than 1 minute remaining.
Unknown Vessel – Pelion Orbit
Hunting for Gimbal

He came to in the crouched position, amazed that somehow he hadn’t fallen any further or ended up in a crumpled heap on the deck. “Tip number twelve, no sudden movements when aboard a ship whose air supply is being exposed to a toxin.“ Rolling over into a seating position and then sliding himself back to the wall, still with an incredibly fuzzy head. The urge to run for it was tempered by this and the aching that he seemed to feel all over, another evidence of the toxin. Flipping the cover off his watch glancing at the time, for what he could tell there wasn’t much left. He said to the Garcia and Post. “Right we’ve got sixty seconds or less left. Tell me you’ve got your panels sorted.”

Forcing himself for one last effort and levering himself upright using the wall as an aid. “Calmara to Loveridge, distributing regulators have been found and reversed. We’ve done all we can on our end. Heading back to you location.” He grabbed the other two by there vest collars and guided them in the direction for the door, linking arms with both of them not to proud to recognize when he’d need a hand, on their way back to engineering and the shuttles.

TAG Garcia & Post & All

[Pooja Garcia]

1050 Local Time: 2 minutes of oxygen remaining
Unknown Vessel – Pelion Orbit
Hunting for Gimbal

She had done what James had asked even as she tried not to breath in the toxic gas that was in the air around them. Holding on to her breath wasn’t an option and none of them carried masks either to help with the gas entering from their noses. The task itself was draining since the gas was starting to affect the body slowly. Might speed up when time was near.

The thought alone send chills down her spine, nearly freaking her out. Sighing she leaned on the wall as nausea feeling came over her, struggling to hold on to her oncoming cough, her muscles reflexed on their own, bring up whatever she was trying to hold in. Seeing mucus covered in blood, she gazed at James for a brief moment before wiping it away with a tissue and went back to work about finding whatever it was, once that was done she set it as it was required or at the most requested by SD-2’s XO. Before another round of coughing fit took hold, this time with each cough, she felt a sharp pain in the chest.

1051 Local Time: Less than 1 minute remaining.
Unknown Vessel – Pelion Orbit
Hunting for Gimbal

Seeing James on the floor, she slowly made her way towards him, even as light dizziness struck her. Either her blood follow was speeding up or slowing down due the gases affect. With now less than one minute remaining, Pooja braced herself for what was to come. Bending down to him, “Are you okay?” she asked as her eyes dropped while sleep tried claiming her.

Flopping next to him she sat, “That it is” she nodded, and then just felt numb. She couldn’t get her emotions out, not even anger. Facing him, “They are sorted out. Hope they work.” So much for rescuing her from the clutches of evil only to be getting killed by another evil. She didn’t have much energy to get up let alone stand. She wondered if Jerry was going to be okay. Right now she had more concerns for her husband, than herself.

Eager to slump and stay where she was, but the pull from James had other ideas. The last thing she wanted to do was face the Colonel, yet again. Lashing off at him seemed every appealing at every single level. Leaning on James she was ready to doze off into the dream world. “Let’s hope this does work.”

Reaching where the group was, she saw the extent of what had happened. Even Travis by the looks of it was paler then she had seen him before. Even others weren’t at their best. Taking a deep breath nearly caused her to pass out. Given the gas here was stronger than where James, Luke and herself had been. Even before she could say something, another round of coughing fit took hold, this time she cough more blood then she had earlier. If something wasn’t done about this, they all would be dead by internal bleeding and toxic gas.

<<Tag All>>

[Kent McKillop]

1052 Local Time
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

After making the 'one minute' call, poor old McKillop had all but given up. What little bravery he'd found to stay at his console evaporated, and the academic took a seated position and waited for the gas to overcome him. After all his publications, studies and achievements back on Earth he was destined to suffocate in the bowels of a flying alien tin can. It hardly seemed fair.

With a strange whirling sound the ventilation system overhead reversed, drawing the poison gas out. Chief Angler, the architect behind this turn of events, tumbled from a hole in the roof and was attended to by medical support. The yellow gas was quickly removed from the room just as the timer on the wall mounted console ran out. Disaster averted; just another day in the Delian galaxy.

Rising from the floor Kent made a lap of the engineering room, helping those affected by the gas to upright themselves while they waited for what limited medical aide could be supplied. As he passed one of the porthole he spied movement - a pair of X-305 shuttles from the USS Aeneid were en route. Ejecting the life pods to signal for help must have worked! "It worked!" the overly excited archaeologist cried out. "The saw the pods! We're saved!" The two shuttles pulled up just outside the engineering area and extended docking arms against the ship's exterior. Bright sparks began to appear as those inside ignited cutting torches and began to breach the ship's hull, cutting them an escape path back to the shuttles.

"Clarification: You may have survived, but I will track you down," announced CHENN over the vessel's internal speakers. Warning: I will transmit my consciousness and live on, even if you destroy this ship."

"Premonition: We will meet again."

Having had more than he could take for one day, Kent wandered over to the nearest speaker, and taking a length of steel pipe, smashed it into pieces.

The sections of hull between the engineering room and the shuttle's docking arms fell to the ground with a loud thud. A collection of marines and medics poured in, securing the area and giving a helping hand to those still suffering the effects of the gas. Taking on last look around the ship, Kent ducked his head and stepped through the newly cut hole, seeking the familiar shelter of an Earth built shuttle.

< Tag Base Personnel & SD-2 >

OOC: Final posts everyone and we'll wrap this up. Great job!

[Kata Harris]

1051 Local Time: Less than 1 minute remaining. 
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Corridor near engineering 

The walls were providing little support for her as she tried to make her way to engineering. Her chest hurt and she could feel her pulse in her head. The two men behind her where doing their best to keep up, one was coughing up blood, the other had a blank look in his eye. They made it around a corner, she saw the entrance to engineering, she looked back to the two men behind her and motioned to the room, Kata let them pass before slowly following them. 

'We made it..' she smiled to herself, she saw movement before her, someone was climbing into the ceiling. "That's nice.." she said quietly. Her legs felt like jelly, she leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the ground, her arms resting on her knees. She had often thought of how she would die, it was something that crossed your mind when you find yourself many miles from home. Kata knew there were seconds left, heck as far as she knew time was already up and she was somehow still alive, she wasn't thinking straight. Taking a deep breath she rested her head on her knees and hoped to whatever gods existed everything would be ok. 

1052 Local Time: Vents on
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

A muffled thud cut through the thick fog in her head, groggily Kata lifted her head up, her vision was blurry. Something had changed. The air around her seemed less thick with gas, yet she could still feel its affects. Then she heard the ships computer saying something, the metallic voice didn't sound happy.  Apparently someone had stopped the gas, her eyes closed again, her head hurt to much for her to focus on anything. 

From across the room came the sounds of voices, Kata forced her eyes open, she saw several figures entering the room through a large hole in the wall, she recognized them as thier own forces, so the Aenied must have gotten the message. The air began to clear, several marines and medics quickly came to the aid of those affected by the gas. Including herself, a medic came to her side, she felt his fingers on her neck as he made sure her vitals were ok. He was saying some medical jargon and she just nodded, "Can you walk?" he finally asked. 

Kata coughed and nodded, "I can try," she said with a cough, the medic waved a marine over and told him to help her. He grasped her arm and helped her to her feet, "Let's get off this damn ship, I want a nap ," she said as he lead her to one of the shuttles. 

[Tlepolemus]

1052 Local Time
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering



The combination of the gas and Valenti’s ankle made it slow going. They rounded the corner just as CHENN was admitting defeat and delivering a warning. The scholars’ behaviour to that last remark was unusual, more unusual than he’d seen so far, but given the near death experience that they had all gone through maybe not so much.

He noticed that the healer present had his hands full dealing with a patient. Also the burnt marks that seemed to be growing across one of the walls, which none of those in the room seemed concerned about. The reason quickly became evident when the section marked out by the burnt marks gave way and were followed by several others from Delta Site, including several healers, one of which began tending to Valenti .

He stayed with them until it was time to get on to the shuttles. The organization and the camaraderie that initially drew him to these people was very much in evident again right now. It only served to confirm to Tleopomus that despite what may came his way because of it, he had made the right decision in joining these people

Tag

[James Calmara]

1052 Local Time
Unknown Vessel – Pelion Orbit
Engineering

Staggering back to engineering it turned out the linking of arms had been a good idea. Despite feeling weak himself he did the best to support Dr Garcia, her coughing up blood and the fact Calmara himself had the distinct taste of blood in his mouth, made his getting hold of a medic top of his current to do list, followed closely by getting off this tin can. Thankfully they reached engineering just as the relief troop’s bust through the bulkhead of this ship that was very nearly their coffin. “Could do with medic over here.” Calmara stated plainly announcing the three’s return in the process.

By the looks of it the gas had take it toll even more so here. An airman medic was quickly across. “Looks like were out of the woods. You were a help. Thanks Doc.” He replied to her earlier statement of hope that their efforts would do some good. Before passing her off to a medic, filling her in on some of the symptoms Doc Garcia was displaying, although most of them were evident. Throwing a mini salute at Oxford by way of acknowledging him, before a slight cough brought up a slight amount of blood, he showed it to the medic.

He stayed put until the medic indicated they were ready to move, which only took a short time. She was keen to get them into the shuttles, as were most of the incoming team. Calmara followed there lead boarded a shuttle and found mask being pushed over his face. He elected to stand as he’d seen several team members looking worse for wear then himself.

Tag

[John E. Valenti]

1052 Local Time
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

It had taken them a while to get back to the others, his ankle made the process slow and painful, but worth it in the end. When they arrived where the others had been he saw that the medics had their hands full, which was what he figured would be happening. He pointed to a spot and slid down to the ground there, waiting for his turn to see a doctor. He saw Tlepolemus look at a spot on the wall that appeared to have burn marks growing on them. He assumed it was the blow torches from the others coming to rescue them and leaned back against the wall, resting assured that this ordeal was soon to be over.

"Well Tlepolemus, welcome to the team. There's never a dull moment around here."

Before his new friend was able to walk off and prepare to leave he grabbed the man's wrist.

"Hey, Tlepolemus. I wanted to thank you again for helping me out back there. I owe you one."

He then let go of the man and allowed him to go where he was needed...



1056 Local Time
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

A medic had come through with the others, addressed John's injury by giving him some pain killers and wrapping his ankle with a splint. he told John to make sure he got a series of X-Rays back on the station and John said he would be sure to do so. He then evacuated to the shuttles with some of the other support staff that had arrived to assist the injured. He was glad to have his mask off and be breathing fresh air again, and he was very happy to be off that ship with a crazed AI running the show.

"Remind me to ask the General for permission to push the launch button for the rocket that's gonna blast that prick to kingdom come."

He mumbled as they left the area, he wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, but still needed to vent his opinion on what he wanted to do to CHENN after this.

Once on the shuttle he was given an oxygen mask to wear, which he pushed away.

"I think I can handle the regular amount of oxygen right now..."

He was cut off and the attending medic snapped the mask in place over his mouth and nose. John just sank back and relaxed, he had lost this fight but was still alive to fight again next time. Hopefully the next time they encounter an AI he wont be a part of it, but there was always another mission on the horizon and he'd be going wherever they needed him too go. He listened to the sound of others being brought in and attended to, he was okay being left alone for now, he shut his eyes and and reviewed what had happened. he was trying to see if there was anything he could have done differently to prevent this from happening or make sure nothing similar ever happened again. Of course the only thought that kept repeating itself was that the best way to have avoided almost every downfall they had run into would have been to shoot Kent in the back of the head before they had arrived, but he would never actually do that. He recalled how it had been Kent that opened the door in the first place, which they really needed at the time so that had been a good thing, but the man jettisoned the escape pods and that really bothered John. 'What if that damn fool does something like that again and gets us all killed?' he asked himself. John decided it was time to speak to the leader of SD-2 and request the Kent be taken out and trained properly in military protocols and chain of command. John would even offer to run this sort of basic training for any civilian that needed help adjusting to the military way of life, because one day these fools could get people killed and that would be very detrimental to this operation.



TAG: All

OOC: this will be my final post in this thread unless someone interacts directly with me.

[Troy Loveridge]

1053 Local Time
Unknown Vessel: Orbiting Pelion
Engineering

With less than a minute to go Chief Angler was able to reach whatever she had been working on in the roof cavity, reversing the direction of the air flow and extracting the gas from the vessel. She fell from the hole in the roof back down onto the floor with a sickening noise and was quickly attended to be Troy and Eli. Even with the gas now gone a number of people were still showing signs of its effects, and the teams were hardly out of the woods yet.

Thankfully they were not alone. A number of X-305's from the USS Aeneid arrived, their presence brought about by Kent launching the ship's escape pods. Coming up against the hull just outside the engineering compartment, the shuttles extended their docking collars and sealed against the alien ship, cutting through the plating with blow torches. Once the holes had been cut, a mixture of marines and medics poured forth, the former moving to secure the area while the latter attended to those still suffering from exposure to the gas.

Together with Eli, Troy assisted Vanessa toward one of the three shuttles and helped her inside. Unlike Troy and Eli, the shuttle's medics were fully kitted out, and in a much better position to render medical care to those such as Vanessa who had been overcome by the gas. Once satisfied that Vanessa was being seen to, the colonel moved back out into the engineering area to help transport the remaining sick and wounded into the three awaiting shuttles.

The sergeant in charge of the marine contingent approached Troy, informing him that they'd secured the area and were ready to fall back. With everyone now loaded onto the shuttles, the colonel took one more look around before moving into the nearest X-305 and taking a seat. The small craft detached itself from the hull of the alien vessel and sped back toward the Aeneid.

One of those onboard Troy's shuttle, Master Sergeant Valenti, expressed his interest in having the Aeneid destroy the alien ship and CHENN along with it. With a wry smile Troy withdrew his radio and handed it back to John. "Call it in," he asked. A few moments later a pair of nuclear-tipped missiles streaked from the Earth-built battle cruiser, blowing the 'abandoned' cargo vessel into a thousand pieces.

1057 Local Time
USS Aeneid
Hanger Bay

The three small shuttles touched down in the hanger bay of the Aeneid with only a slight bump under the control of their skilled pilots. The X-305's hatches opened, with the sick being off loaded and rushed away for medical attention. Troy and the able bodied back their way across the deck and back toward their quarters to change and shower before what would no doubt be an interesting debriefing.

The colonel had only just stepped out of the shower when his computer started beeping, informing him that a video message was incoming from Earth. Quickly attiring himself, Troy took a seat and activated the console. A large screen on the wall of his quarters came to life, projecting an image of none other than Major Will O'Malley, his former XO and the current Chief of Medicine at the hospital attached to the Stargate Academy, which provided medical care to the SGC and those stationed in and around Colorado Springs.

"Will," Troy said to his old friend, the exhaustion fading into the happiness he felt at seeing his old friend again. "Let me guess, you want back in with the expedition?"

The major didn't smile at the obvious joke Troy had just pulled, which was a bit out of character for the normally joyful, if often sarcastic, British doctor. In fact, he was yet to say anything, which was very un-Will-like indeed. He was wearing a stoic face, yet it also looked as though there was something boiling away beneath the surface. The colonel's gut dropped instantly. "Will, what is it?"

The British doctor paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Troy, there's been an accident," he simply said. Before he could even utter the next sentence, the colonel knew this conversation was going to forever change his life.

"It's your wife. It's Ashlee."

[/i][/blockquote]
< End of Episode >