Part One: Reunion

[Marah "Tonobi" Law]

OOC: Joint post between Nolen "Dragon" Syaria and Marah "Tonobi" Law

1246 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Marah started to mingle with the others when she saw someone she recognised in the crowds of people, moving with a propose now she headed in that direction until she was right behind the older man. "Hey Old Dragon, quiet a good turn out don't you think ?" she said in a somber tone. Nolen turned around excusing self for a minute from some other dignitaries to face the younger woman with a genuine smile, "Young Tonobi, Yeah you're right on that count. Just wish more of us had made it back" the older pilot replied to her.

Nolen turned back to the foreign dignitaries and invited Marah into the discussion about some space tactic used in a fight at sometime in the past. Marah didn't really pay much attention but Nolen kept her in the conversation with little 'back me up' prompts. Marah scanned the room, only Nolen and Travis of her close friends were in sight and Travis was already in conversation with Kim. No she would stay here for now.

She began explaining a battle on Atlantis when Nolen butted in and pulled her away a metre or two, ]b]"I'll finish this off, I think you may want to go say hi to the new arrival. "[/b][/i] Marah looked at him confused then the way he was pointing, she stared at Kim and Travis and a mystery woman. She couldn't gets good look at the new woman's face as Kim's head blocked most of it, but then Kim moved away a tiny bit and recognition splash across her face. "Pooja" she spoke quietly and then moved off to the friend she hadn't seen in years.

Nolen smiled as the younger pilot left, since her return to earth Nolen had been there when she needed a friend. "The Young ones gain experience of life quickly" the formality of the words spoken made Nolen's smile broader, he turned to see the former Jaffa standing there with arms crossed. "Teel'c have you been talking to Mitchell again?"[/i] he said chuckling as Teel'c spoke smiling "Indeed"

<Tag Anyone wanting to talk to Nolen>

Marah made her way through the crowd to where Travis and the group were.

<tag Travis, Kim and Pooja >

[Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon]

1246 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Kim smiled at Pooja's question and nodded in confirmation that she was the newest XO of the Delta Expedition. The woman went on to explain everything that the doctor had missed as Travis decided to join them. Looking over Pooja, Kim realised that something was off about the woman, but couldn't pin point what it was. Taking a good look from head to toe, it struck her, "How far?" she asked.

Pooja gave a short laugh, "I'm on my last day before leave kicks in," she explained as Travis brought over a chair for her to sit, "Unplanned, but not unwanted. This one was a surprise. I had to give Jerry few good smacks when we found out," she rubbed her growing stomach and smiled at the memory, "Last one, I swear to god." Before she could say anything more, Marah came running over, getting to her feet, slowly, she hugged her friend, "Long time no see. What's new with you?"

Pooja knew she had left abruptly and without much a goodbye to anyone. At the time she had felt it was a right thing to do. Too much had happened, she herself had a lot to deal with. She hadn't been all there. Her marriage had been fragile, she had to tend to that first and foremost, everything would have dealt with due in time. "I heard there is a new expedition- just few days back. Please tell me the two Oxfords running that circus are not related to you?"

It took everything in her power to keep a straight face, but somehow Kim was manage that. It was not up to her to tell Pooja that Admiral Matthew Oxford was Traivs's eldest brother and that cousin of his was a PITA. But Robert Oxford punching a IOA was a memory to hold on to. Instead she sipped her drink.

<<Tag: Troy Loveridge , Alec Styles , Will O'Malley , Kata Harris , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Koren Telion , Stephanie Martin and Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton >>>>

[Kata Harris]

1105 hours
Stargate Command
Embarkation Room

Major Harris might have zoned out a little at first, she used to do the same thing when her grandparents used to drag her to church. But then Colonel...no make that General Loveridge stepped up and everyone who knew who he was instantly focused in. The man was a legend, at least in the members of the Delian Expeditions eyes; that happens when you have been to hell and back under someones leadership. The General covered everything from the highlights of the expedition, to the low points, even mentioning the Battle of Olympia, an event that everyone involved with the expedition knew about. 

1246 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

The speeches were over and since the SGC had to resume its usual business, everyone was moved to the briefing room that overlooked the Gateroom. Everyone now mixed and mingled, greeting old friends and catching up with what everyone had been up to since the expedition had been slimmed down. Kata did her share of mingling, but she quickly found herself standing near Dr. Garcia and Lt. Colonel McKinnon, "I heard there is a new expedition- just few days back. Please tell me the two Oxfords running that circus are not related to you?" Kata smirked at Garcia's words and turned around, "Yes..we now have three Oxfords..on one expedition. I thought Travis was enough...but no.." sometimes it seemed a bit much, but it also made life interesting. "It is tolerable when they are not at each others throats." Harris added, if anything she felt bad for the Admiral who had to put up with it all, the man certainly had some patience. 

Tag: Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon// ALL

[Troy Loveridge]

1247 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Koren stood before Troy, a glass of champagne in one hand and a look on his face of inner turmoil. Back when they’d last served together Koren had been an F-302 pilot in command of one of the Delian Expedition’s fighter squadrons, despite only being a lieutenant at the time. The rank insignia and medals pinned on to his dress uniform showed that his career had continued to sky-rocket since returning to Earth.

Troy reached out and placed ann arm on the man’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Don’t say it Major,” he replied to the apology, cutting him off. “I couldn’t have asked any more of you.” The Battle of Olympia, a huge success from a tactical standpoint in that it had toppled the Olympian regime, had come at huge a cost. The loss of life had been well above the Expedition’s average to that point, and had included Frank Kepler, their former commanding officer and Troy’s mentor. “They wouldn’t want us to dwell on it, none of them,” he added.

As he’d been so focused on consoling and trying to keep his own still-raw emotions in check, Troy hadn’t noticed Will’s approach. The medical officer, now a colonel, apologies for interrupting and complimented Troy on his speech, in the most sarcastic O’Malley way possible.

“Well I’m glad you could make it Will,” Troy replied.

There was an awkward pause between the two, something to be expected for two people who had once been so close but had since drifted about. It had been both of their faults - either could have picked up a phone at any time but hadn’t. Maybe they were waiting for the other to go first. Maybe they didn’t feel as though they knew what to say even if they had called.

“I’m, errr, sorry to hear about Sarah*,” he added. Despite an invite he hadn’t been able to attend the wedding due to some emergency at the SGC or wherever he’d been stationed. Now he thought about it, he hadn’t even send a card.

“Unscheduled off-world traveller,” came a familiar announcement over the base PA system, saving all parties involved from the awkward silence. The familiar gate activity alarm rang out through the base as the giant ring of the Stargate began to spin. “Medical teams to the gateroom!” came a second announcement from the gate technician, much more frantic sounding than the first announcement.

From the window overlooking the Stargate Troy took a sip of his drink, watching as the embarkation room as the security personnel stood down and were replaced with doctors, nurses and medics. Maintenance staff had removed the blue carpet and wooden podium from the ceremony and were packing away their ladders, leaving the bunting and streamers still hanging.

It was only when an eighth chevron locked into place did he realise this was no normal arrival through the Stargate. The first injured personnel were stretchered through the Stargate, dressed in familiar Delian Expedition uniforms.

“What the frak…”

< Tag Adam "Sly" Collier , Alec Styles , Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton , Kata Harris , Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon , Koren Telion , Marah "Tonobi" Law , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Robert "Jackal" Walker , Stephanie Martin , Travis "Wizard" Oxford , Victoria Ramel & Will O'Malley >

* An error of Troy’s part - he isn’t aware/forgot about Will’s second divorce.

[Koren Telion]

1248 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

“Unscheduled off-world traveller,” came a familiar announcement over the base PA system, "Medical teams to the gateroom!” came a second announcement from the gate technician, much more frantic sounding than the first announcement. Koren joined Troy calmly looking through the glass, his heart rate only raised ever-so-slightly by the call for medical teams; a calm that came from operating out of the SGC for over a year. Quite frankly, as a relegated training pilot, Koren would have ignored the alarms, but considering he was in literally the best spot to view any and all gate activity (and it was a lot more comforting than the awkward conversation that had nearly ensued between the Loveridge and O'Malley), he decided he might as well watch.

More injured began ferrying through the gate, and Koren nearly disappeared into his memories again when he sensed Troy flinch next to him. He looked carefully at the allies being ferried through the stargate and his jaw dropped an inch.

"What the frak..." Troy said under his breath.

After a moment of disbelief, Koren said, "This isn't happening," blinking hard to attempt clearer eye-sight, for he couldn't believe what he was seeing. But Koren knew better; he was a pilot after all, and what he was seeing was the truth. The haunting truth right before his eyes.

SGD patches...It was happening...again.

"Kim," Koren called to the current Delta XO loud enough to be heard over the crowd, rank overshadowed by building rage. She needed to know what was happening to her command. "They're ours, sir," Koren said in a very dark, very determined tone. His jaw set, fury building in him, Koren's grip on the champagne glass tightened to near fatal levels as he coldly looked down at injured civilian after lifeless soldier were dragged through the gate, many unceremoniously, leaving a dark red trail on the embarkation ramp. 

He watched men and women not unlike himself at their age attempt to collect themselves and find their friends and loved ones. It was a scene from Koren's nightmares; Civilians sprawled to the corners of the embarkation room, some hiding behind the curvature of the walls, other slumping down and nursing injuries. The SGD combat members who were not assisting with stretchers were setting up the standing gate defense grid, guns trained with steely-eyed accuracy at the event horizon.

"Sir," Koren said to nobody in particular, his rage still building. "Permission to assist in organizing the returning personnel?" It was a cold way of putting it, but Koren knew that his knowledge of the base and current posting there would help in getting the wounded to the main, backup and temporary infirmaries, and in getting the SGD teams rallied and debriefed.

<TAG Troy Loveridge , Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon , Will O'Malley , @all>

[Victoria Ramel]

1245 hours
Stargate Command
Level 18 - Science Labs

"Look I don't think you fully understand the concept I am describing here..." Victoria took a deep breath and started to talk with her hands more than she would ever admit if someone asked.

Dr. Ramel was back on Earth for two weeks, mostly for family stuff as one of her brothers was in the final stages of opening his own restaurant back home. Since joining the SGC she had become something of a ghost for family affairs, which after spending two days - quote uncomfortable days at that - she remember why she liked working in another galaxy. Still the food was good for the soft opening gala, but she could have done with less awkward questions as to where Jaime was or when she was going to settle down. Apparently since neither of her brothers had children, her mother seemed to be placing a great deal of emphasis on how she wanted to be a grandparent. After 48 hours of that, Victoria used the convenient excuse that there was a work emergency.

Of course there wasn't one. But that left her with twelve days of nothing to do back on the base except wait for her return trip to the Delian Galaxy, which would take a few weeks as a battle cruiser had yet to be assigned to the next supply run. There were nine others who had made the trip with her, and she was the first to come back to the SGC. There was an event taking place further downstairs that she didn't warrant an invite to that had the base ever so busy that she was grasping for things to do to make the best use of her time.

"See when I ran this lab, the desk and coffee did way better over here. I mean look when anything of size comes through these doors you are going to run right into the corner of the desk. And these plants seem to do better along this far wall below the air vent. Over here next to the server tower they are going to continue to wilt due to the heat. Are you following me? I mean we all know about the triangle in the kitchen - stove, sink, and prep. Same concept applies in a lab -." Dr. Ramel trailed off as she was getting blank stares from the two technicians who were clearly just there to grab a few components to take to another lab.

“Unscheduled off-world traveller,” came a familiar announcement over the base PA system, "Medical teams to the gateroom!” came a second announcement from the gate technician, much more frantic sounding than the first announcement.

The red lights in the corner of the room blinked as they have so many times, and during her time here a few years ago she would often ignore them. It wasn't until she felt her phone vibrate with a phone call from NORAD that she got a little nervous.

1252 Hours
Stargate Command
Control Room

Victoria climbed the metal steps to the control room, but made sure to keep out of the way was she watched stretchers being carried through the open wormhole. Support staff and medical personnel did their best to keep the ramp clear but a traffic jam seemed to be brewing as people dodged others at the last moment to get by someone else. She noticed the uniforms - the same one she was wearing at this very moment - Delian Expedition standard isssue.

"What the hell happened...?" She said to no one in particular, covering her mouth with one hand while wrapping her other arm around her chest in disbelief.

<Tag to anyone really..>

[Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton]

1247 Hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Everyone knew practically everyone, except Beth. She felt a little out of place, but that’s exactly what happened the first few months of being a first female homicide detective at the 12th precinct. There would be some awkward moments such as this one in the briefing. She may even dislike or be disliked by certain people. But, when there is an assignment to be done, Elizabeth would be one to give it her all or go home as a failure. Failure was not an option.

Having grabbed water from the servings table, Elizabeth found herself by the edge staring at the immense object called a stargate. Katrina warned her about the experiences soldiers felt when first going through. She could get nauseous, or even pass out from the intensity. Beth was certainly not unfamiliar with the nauseous part. Sometimes she had a firsthand glimpse of dead bodies already decaying. That smell was one she always hoped to avoid, however, it came with the job . None the less, with her position, it was usually inevitable.

Then a random thought passed the agent’s mind. I wonder if we can catch Pokemon in other worlds. Would they be differently than the ones here? Maybe I’ll find some already evolved to their last evolvement like Espeon and with strong HPs. Ok, why are you thinking about Pokemon Go right now?

Her pocket vibrated. Taking out her phone, it said Espisito. ”You know you can’t call me unless it’s a desire necessity….how long has the body been there?....dead end huh?....get the records of her cell phone and land line activity….once I’m done here I’ll call you back….you take care too. Putting her cell back into her jacket of the suit, Beth just stood there imagining how much her life was about to change.

1249

When the alarm rang, Beth jumped in her skin. Well that scared the sh... The ceremonial items were quickly taken away and she saw soldiers taking cover over. Her hand slipped underneath the slate grey material to grab her 45. She wasn't ready to just jump in yet. A strange sense of fear began its tingling up her spine to the neck. Suddenly, people came through, some even running in terror.  Beth could only imagine what was terrifying these people on the other side of that wormhole.  Again, she clasped her weapon, just in case.  Her gun was, strangely enough, is a relaxant.  It went with her everywhere.  Some assignments as the police station were unique.  Beth had been captured many times only to be saved by her ex-boyfriend, Rick.  Rick was another cop, but in a different division.  She watched around the briefing room to see if there was a need for Beth's presence down there. 

What could a former homicide detective do?

Was she really cut out for this kind of thing?


<Tag All>

[Will O'Malley]

1253 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

So...this was going well. He had managed to make everything as uncomfortable as physically possible. A rather common occurrence for the Colonel - yet he frowned every time. Some people were just...good at talking. Will was not one of those people. Sometimes he would fall into a comfortable place with people; them expecting his awkwardness and social failures. This caused him to be able to actually talk to other people without actively wanting to drain the champagne glass that sat within his hand. Once he had that with Loveridge. And now? Well, now the other man was commenting on a wife from two marriages ago.

Was it a misspoken statement or was Troy honestly that disconnected from O'Malley's life? Likely both. Still didn't sting any less; the doctor's eyes dropping from the man before him - offering a simple shrug in return. What was there to stay? 'She fraked me over, Troy. I can't even see my kid.' Didn't exactly seem appropriate in the situation, so he he chose silence. Typically the best go-to when words failed him. Sometimes it was better to just remain quiet, then make things worse.

“Unscheduled off-world traveler."

Will's eyes shot up from the ground to the gate - dark brows pinching together. Those never ever lead to anything good. Typically an alien demanding something, or some horrible threat to Earth. Sometimes it was a team coming back too soon, after assorted things hit the fan. It was just...never good.

"Someone else wants to join the party?" his voice directed at no one in particular, as he took another drink of his champagne.

“Medical teams to the gateroom!”

"Frak," his voice a hoarse whisper, as he watched his people begin to run in. He wanted to join them. Help them. But...he needed to trust them. He needed to not throw himself into the middle of every situation that came to be. They were the best of the best, after all.

The gate did its spinny bits - people rushing through. It was then that Will felt his breath hitch in his chest. Those uniforms. Those damn uniforms.

"Oh..." he set his glass down - eyes darting to Troy out of habit. Looking for a word - looking for what's next. Shaking himself out of the habit, he moved forward out of the Briefing Room and back into the Gateroom - helping to move and sort the injured personnel. He would likely get blood on his uniform, but so be it.

His fraking uniform could use a splash of color anyway.

<TAG: uh...ALLLLLLL>

[Nolen "Dragon" Syaria]

1248 -1253 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room


Nolen stared down at the gate the minute the technician made the announcement, "More friends" he commented then pulled another technician aside that had been running to the door. "What's going on?" he said as the second announcement came, "Nevermind" he sighed and went to the window again.

Nolen watch in horror as men and women were being stretchered or pulled through the gate, and swore under his breathe as he noticed the patches on the uniforms. Many of these people he had served with at various times. He heard the new kid Koren call out to Kim to help them out, and noticed Will already acting. He moved without thinking as one body that had just been brought through the gate was familiar, he ran through the corridor to the gate room and pushed inside making a bee line to the familiar woman. "Lisa!" he called out to the non responsive female lying in one of the corner out of the way.

<tag all>

[Troy Loveridge]

1253 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Troy stood motionless as the wounded personnel continued to be ferried through the Stargate. The Lost City of Akrotiri, an Ancient-build city-ship a quarter of the size of Altantis where the expedition was based, had it's own medical facilities. For them to burn their ZPM power to bring people back to Earth meant either the base infirmary was at capacity, or worst, whatever had injured these personnel had taken the infirmary out of commission.

A QRF - quick reaction force - of Chinese Marines strode into the gateroom, already kitted out in full combat gear. A squad of soldiers stood at the ready in a ready room adjacent to the Stargate 24/7 to respond to incidents such as this. Once all the wounded had come through the Stargate the SGC would use of its ZPMs to send back the first responders. A larger force - a ready reaction force - would be in the gateroom in 15 minutes to further support the expedition if needed.

While they were down in the gateroom two levels below and being moved to the base infirmary with speed, Troy could make out the nature of some of the wounds. Burns and explosions seemed to be the main causes, with a few personnel sporting what looked to be laser weapon injuries. It wasn't so much the injuries that would test the SGC - the doctors and nurses here were the best in the business - but rather the sheer number of patients. There was at least four dozen down there, with more coming through every few seconds.

The infirmary would need help.

Troy resisted the urge for a moment. The people in this room were guests of this base, not its assigned personnel. While he had a pair of stars pinned on to his uniform, Troy didn't have the authority to give orders around here. Besides, no one in this room directly reported to him any more. And yet as he looked around more than a handful were looking to him for guidance.

"Alright, listen up," he called, falling back into his old habits. "If you think you can help down in the infirmary I suggest you report there and make yourselves known. Otherwise, stay out of the way. We don't want to make the situation any worst than it already is." A few of the party guests hurried across the room and down the spiral stairs, the rest looking around unsure of what to think or sporting obvious looks of guilt at being told to sit by and doing nothing.

His next instinct was to rush down to the control room and demand a situation report, but again, it wasn't his place to do so. If General Carter thought he could use him he had no doubt she would ask. Until then, best to stay out of the way.

Mind you, the events down in the gateroom had really killed the celebration.

< Tag Adam "Sly" Collier , Alec Styles , Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton , Kata Harris , Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon , Koren Telion , Marah "Tonobi" Law , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Robert "Jackal" Walker , Stephanie Martin , Travis "Wizard" Oxford , Victoria Ramel & Will O'Malley >