Part One: Reunion

[Andy Buchanan]

1245 hours

Stargate Command

Outside


"Look. Here." Andy waved his driving licence, his passport and a 'Reptile Club Member' card at the guard on the front gate. "I even have my old ID badge in the glove compartment if that'll help!"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't find your name on the invitation list." The young man on duty was apologetic, but very, very certain he was right. Andy sucked in a breath of annoyance. Don't start wagging your finger, his ever-present inner voice said. You're not your father. He shook his head and threw his hands up in the air, exasperation taking hold.

"Don't muck about, mate. I have had the most astoundingly awful day as it is. You don't need to me to go into details, but let's suffice it to say that I'm already late. I've given you eighteen bajillion forms of ID... and you STILL won't budge?" Andy took several long, deep breaths. He could feel his temper rising and this was really no time to start punching people. He'd been awake for nearly twenty hours as it was, finishing off some designs before he'd left Area 51. He'd arrived at the airport in good time for his flight... which had been delayed by two hours. Fractious and irritated from the flight, which was (unfairly, he'd thought) assaulted by turbulence the entire time, Andy's arrival at the airport had been further delayed by the discovery that his dress uniform - which the airline had forced him to check as hold luggage - was presently en-route to somewhere in Europe. He'd not had the time to change, and, foolishly believing he would have a chance to change on arrival, had checked it and travelled in casual clothing.

So. Delayed flight. No uniform. At least the hire car was ready for him and had a full tank of petrol.

It also had a tyre blow out on the road just outside the airport. Andy had waited for a full hour for someone to come and take it away and replace it with another. He had been literally five minutes walk from the car hire offices, but they'd insisted he remain with his vehicle. And what sort of company didn't include a spare tyre with a hire car? That one, obviously. They'd finally shown up and replaced his comfortable saloon with some sort of tiny hatchback that his long legs were not appreciating.

So. Delayed flight. No uniform. Hire car issues. These things come in threes, right?

No.

He'd stopped for a comfort break about half an hour from Cheyenne Mountain, intending to simply freshen up a little. He couldn't do anything about the uniform situation, but he'd packed a clean shirt in his hand luggage at least. Only he discovered that in his exhausted hurry that morning, he'd in fact packed the shirt that had the perpetual jam stain on the collar. 

So. Delayed flight. No uniform. Hire car issues and jam on his shirt.

Just when he'd thought it couldn't get any worse, it got worse. 

He lost the car key.

Simple as that. After hunting for it, he realised he'd left it in the pocket of his jacket. Which he'd put in the boot of his car whilst he'd gone for his break. And the car had a self-locking mechanism. So his key was in the boot.

Eventually, after several incredulous conversations with the no spare tyre policy car hire firm, he discovered that they also didn't keep spare keys for their cars. One particularly helpful woman on the phone had suggested he smash the window and get into the car that way. He'd nearly wept, but instead employed his skills as an engineer, and picked the boot lock. 

Finally, finally, he had arrived - late - and was now being refused entry. Right now, he really, really wanted to break something.

"I'm going to have to check this out with the main office," said the guard. At least he had the decency to be apologetic. Andy leaned against the car and scratched at his stubble. Everything about this place was just so damned familiar and it made him feel oddly uncomfortable. What made him more uncomfortable was the situation several minutes later when the guard finally acknowledged who he was and ushered him in through the main gate with instructions to report to the Briefing Room.

Andy wandered, on automatic pilot, through halls and corridors he'd long been absent from, but whose very layout he'd never forgotten, until he became aware that the distant sirens were now getting increasingly louder and people were rushing from point A to point B at a great speed. Some people, of course, also appeared to be rushing from point B to point A, even faster.

"Ah," muttered Andy. "Seems that some things just never change."

With a deep breath, he stepped back into the thick of it.

<Tag: Just about anybody!>

[Victoria Ramel]

1255 hours

Stargate Command

Control Room

The fear.

It can grip you, hold you in a moment just as much as it can bind you in place. But it wasn't a fear for her own life. She was of course concerned for those who were going through triage on the other side of the blast glass in the Gate room. She was concerned for the people on the other side of that open worm hole who she just met months ago. She still didn't consider Akrotiri home, but she thought of it as a safe haven - as safe as any military outpost can be. But for as long as she has been there it was peaceful and calm.

This.. was different. 

Victoria wasn't from a military family, or a battle hardened solider. Sure she had been in the thick of things a few times off world, but honestly that was all a strong wind compared to the great storms that had swept through the explored galaxies they had explored. And by the time she had set foot through the gate, those storms had passed. She wasn't sure what or how to feel except to just...?

THUD!

Dr. Ramel tensed as she was bumped into the metal rail behind her as people rushed passed her down the steps towards the corridors that fed to the gate. Jarred back to reality, she started to do the math - she knew the power situation in the City. For them to dial Earth would be a HUGE strain on their power reserves, far too much of a strain for a minor accident that might have overwhelmed the medical staff there. There were strict protocols to be followed when it came to power consumption of the ZPMs, otherwise she wouldn't have endured weeks of travel by ship home. This was something else.

She overheard General Carter coordinating things with a phone to her ear, and she was half tempted to ask her what was happening. But to be quite frank anyone with a star on their uniform scared the hell out of her. Instead Victoria moved towards the steps that lead to the conference room above, hoping to find Colonel McKinnon who had returned to Earth with her for the festivities.

<tags for any and Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon >

[Marah "Tonobi" Law]

1248 -1253 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room


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?"

Marah smiled a faked smile and replied to her oldest and dearest friend "Everything is working out". Marah had been writing letters to Pooja while the two had been in different galaxies but the one thing she had not told her was the fight between her and her dad that was tearing gaping holes in her family it was after she had asked Kim and Travis a question about the Oxfords when Marah noted something that made her gasp. Quietly she smiled and jested "Pooja your glowing" she kept it quiet incase her friend wanted it kept a secret.

It was at this point when the alarms started blearing and announcement after announcement came over the intercom. Marah stared at Pooja then the others in the group, that's when she noticed Nolen run out of the room. She decided not to go after him, her limited field medical knowledge was of no use here. She decided that helping Travis and Pooja with what they were going to do was a better idea than getting in the way.

<tag all>

[Koren Telion]

1255 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room/Control Room/Stairs

Koren didn't need a second bidding from Loveridge; tearing down the stairs as quickly as possible, Koren accidentally ran into a stone-worried scientist making her way up the steps. As he flew past her, a thought flickered in his mind: she was not SGC, as she wasn't in BDUs or a coat, and she was definitely dressed for the party, so she didn't come through the gate. As Koren's feet landed on the Control Room floor, it clicked; she was one of Delta's new members. Koren's mind began making connections, and he quickly spun around and addressed Victoria Ramel  .

"Doctor," He called out, repeatedly until she acknowledged him. "How much longer can they sustain a connection to earth?" There were many other people who would be more likely to be privy to that knowledge, but with the chaos the base was in, it would be impossible to find anyone more qualified, and they needed to know immediately. Koren tugged hard on General Carters cuff, and she spun around and put her hand over the receiving end of the telephone, looking angrily at Koren, but this situation threw many of the formalities of rank out the window. Holding tightly to the Generals cuff, Koren asked again, more directly and calmly, "How much longer until Delta's ZPM is depleted?" The General turned her attention to the Doctor as well, listening intently for the answer.

<Victoria Ramel 's answer>

Koren and Carter shared a look of despair, and Koren's urgency doubled as he flew down the steps and...

1256
Stargate Command
Embarkation Room

...into the gate room. Patting on the backs of the Chinese security team, he instructed them, "Prioritize civilian casualties. Pair up, one gun to one aid, and get them out of here." Koren assessed the situation; most of the civilians had been evacuated or were being assisted from the gate room by other SGC security personnel, and the remaining military members were posted up in all corners of the embarkation room, many of them clutching injuries or slumped in corners. Koren tried to stay calm, turning and addressing them. "All injured personnel, vacate the gate room. That's an order!" Koren added firmly, as he knew most of them, filled with adrenaline, rage and the classic SGD sense of duty, would not leave otherwise. As they began to help each other out, another stream of SGD militants began flooding through the gate; the gate security team from Delphi. As Koren watched them pass by, he noticed two figures huddled in a corner of the embarkation room and immediately recognized one of them.

"Nolan!" Koren called out, rushing over to the pilot who was cradling a woman in his arms, "How is she?"

BANG! the sickening sound of two SGD members slamming against the ramp jolted Koren, and he grabbed a vacated P90 from the floor and posted himself between the gate and the two vulnerable SGD members behind him. Koren heard the hydraulic hiss of the iris mechanism beginning to engage when suddenly a dark figure stepped through the gate. The figure was clothed in a black body suit, draped with flowing black cloth and a sleek combat helmet. The Iris closed immediately behind him, followed by the sickening sound of two strong temporal impacts against its titanium plates. One of the returning SGD members open fire, and every other soldier in the room did the same. The bullets ricocheted off of the fibers of the figures suit until the last soldiers mag had run dry, with no effect.

"Listen," Came a deep, multi-toned, gravely voice from behind the mask, "And listen well. I bring a message to all members of the Delian Alliance..."

<<TAG: ALL, Victoria Ramel , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Troy Loveridge >>

[Victoria Ramel]

1255 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room/Control Room/Stairs

"How much longer can they sustain a connection to earth?" Victoria paused at the base of the spiral staircase leading to the conference room above. She had already done the math in her head a few times, with a lot of give or take. She was normally accurate with such things, and at times found joy in being right. In terms of joy, it wasn't so much a "I was right and you weren't." but more so a "Hey I solved this incredibly complex equation without using this expensive decorative napkin as scratch paper...".

"How much longer until Delta's ZPM is depleted?" Dr. Ramel was again asked by a Major - Koren Telion  - she had met ever so briefly. Eyes we on her for an answer that she really didn't want to give. No one liked to be right when it came to bad news.

She fidgeted with the pen and pen cap in her hand, probably covering the inside on her one palm in blue ink. Long or short answer? She asked herself. 

Short answer.

"Based on the power levels we were at when I left the base a few weeks ago, taking into account the scheduled dial-ins for the compressed data bursts, and assuming whatever damage was caused to the City didn't leave sections of the power distributions systems bleeding to systems that might be damaged.... maybe the full thirty minute rule... give or take another few minutes..." She trailed off, her face draining of color before she turned to climb the stairs.

Dialing from the Earth Gate to another galaxy wasn't as taxing on a ZPM - the SGC was being powered by the good taxpayers afterall. The drain on the power source was still significant. But for Atlantis or Akrotiri, those cities depended on the ZPM for so much more, even with their most advanced power generator efforts. One dollar goes alot farther dialing long distance from the Milky Way Galaxy than it does elsewhere.

<Tag to you fine folks>

(Also if that time estimate it too grim or fouls up the plot let me know and I can edit.

[Stephanie Martin]

1256 hours
Stargate Command
Embarkment/Briefing Room/Infirmary

Stephanie came out of her daze realizing she had missed much of what had been said. Now was definitely not the time for her hand basket to take it's trip to hell.

“They wouldn’t want us to dwell on it, none of them”

Well it was a little late for that wasn't it? She wasn't medical personnel and she would just be in the way with her limited medical knowledge. They couldn't lose more people. She decided she had to speak up. "Where do you need me Sir?" It was very direct and very respectful, much different from the woman who had been with Delta years ago.

She felt knots in her stomach as the injured filed in. No. No. 'Easy breathes Stephanie. Focus' she took a deep breathe and tried to keep it together.

Fear gripped at her like a clinging leech. Now was not the time to fall apart. Mentally she kicked herself. She had come a long way but the last thing she needed was a trigger. Not that she could decide what triggered her and what didn't but she could at least manage things as best she could.

"Prioritize civilian casualties. Pair up, one gun to one aid, and get them out of here."

Stephanie could do that. She was in the middle of doing just that when she heard gunfire breaking out. For now it was no where near her but she would stay vigilant. Though she knew she had to go back and help others. When she did come near the Embarkation room she heard the voice. There was this overwhelming urge to shoot it, but she would keep her bullets to herself for now.

<Tag: All>

[Will O'Malley]

1256 hours
Stargate Command
Embarkation Room

Will preferred to avoid saying that he worked better under stressful conditions, since that implied that he preferred it. The Colonel, in fact, did not - but knew he easily fell into the rhythm of chaos. He was a man who specialized in trauma medicine, after all. The extreme, the intense, the surprise.

Feet quickly carried O'Malley out of the Briefing Room and into the Gate Room - tongue quietly clicking as he ordered what needed to happen within his head. Get a gauge on the situation. See which of his personnel were present. Figure out what had happened. Sort through the injuries to see who needed what.

The doctor was silently grateful the gate had dialed when it did - only a few generous gulps of champagne in his system; not enough to do much to the steadiness of his hand. If anything, he'd be more steady. Plus by the time he'd actually get to a surgery - if one was needed - enough time would have likely passed that it was no longer in his system. Any of the emergency cases were likely already being taken care of by the others. He wasn't the only capable professional within the group, of course.

Reaching the Gate Room, he delved into it - helping pull people away from the Gate and hand them off to other personnel who were present - mutterings of 'I'd salute, sir, but my hands are full,' from a few of his team. O'Malley never was one for military formality in the first place - their comments hardly even registering with him, as he guided the others.

"If you're uninjured, either grab your bleedin' friend to the Infirmary or clear the room," he ordered - raising his voice loud enough for the room to here, "If medical staff gives you an order, you listen. And...that's an order," he made a slight hand motion, before helping yet another bleeding SGD member. His uniform was slowly getting more color, but he honestly couldn't care less.  He paused briefly to roll up the sleeves - already knowing the dry-cleaning bill would be outrageous. 

The kid who he had interrupted the apology to Troy with, burst into the room - throwing around orders. Will smiled to himself, shaking his head.

"Calm down, Major," his voice surprisingly calm - as he quickly wrapped an excessively bleeding wound before sending them off with one of his people, "The uninjured are helping my people get the bleeders and unconscious to the Infirmary. Take a deep breath, mate. We've handled worse."

It was a frakking disaster that implied chaos in another galaxy, but there was no reason to make the kid panic. O'Malley just had long since learned to try to not let the true blunt of a situation hit him at full force. There was only so much a single man or woman was capable of. Stressing beyond their limits, was a waste of energy and often made decisions rash and actions messy.

Two SGD kids fell through the gate hard - causing Will to cringe. As Telion put himself between them and the Gate, the doctor rushed up behind him to help to two newest injured away form the iris. It was a decent assumption that there was something iffy happening over there. The blunt of what was happening was still lost on the Colonel. Just brief fragments falling upon his ears. All he knew is that it wasn't good.

Getting the two off the ramp, Will paused to tell Telion they were clear - but the words never came from his mouth. Instead a man clad in black stepped through - the iris closing behind him. Two quick-succession impacts made O'Malley's stomach clench.

Someone opened fire - Will gently grabbing the back of Koren's attire, whispering, "Back up, Major. Careful, now."

The bullets seemed to do nothing to the likely evil thing before them. Which wasn't surprising. It felt like most of the universe was immune to bullets.

The...thing then spoke. A strange sound that sent chills down Will's spine.

Hopefully he appreciated the decorations.

<TAG Koren Telion + anyone in the Gate Room>

[Marah "Tonobi" Law]

1256 hours
Stargate Command
Embarkation Room

Marah had finally decided to head into the room and find if she could help out in anyway, she saw Koren had it pretty much sorted and headed to help Nolen out. Koren called out to Nolen by the time the woman reached him, the face Marah found made her stumble back a bit. The grief on the older mans face said this woman had been close to him and on closer inspection Marah realised why, "Is that your friend Lisa?" Marah asked.

Nolen looked up only barely hearing both questions as he closed the eyes of his ornery RIO and good friend, tears streamed down the mans face. "She's Dead Koren, Yes Marah that was Lisa" but before Marah could reply another man entered the gate room, throwing two of the men nearest to him into the wall.

Both Nolen and Marah listen to the newcomer then Marah noticed Nolen's face change from grief to a bloodlust rage, she tried to stop him but was too late. "YOU! You did this!" Nolen yelled taking his side arm out and shooting the man, emptying the clip on him. Marah finally reached the older pilot and and slapped the weapon out of his hand and with the help of another member pinned Nolen so he could not move anymore.

<Tag All>
Post for both Nolen "Dragon" Syaria and Marah "Tonobi" Law

[Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon]

1246 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room --> Gateroom

Pooja narrowed her at Travis when Kata confirmed what the colonel hadn't. His expression had told her more then he ever would. Then again it always had at least every since her 'arrest' at his hands. Then again so much time had past and being here only brought the bitter memories to surface. Another reason they had decline the invite. But when she had seen Kim, Pooja hadn't been able to help herself but come. Facing Harris with more than mild surprise, "You mean someone is worse than him?" Surely the other two couldn't be that bad, but her bubble was burst as soon it had formed. "Then I'm glad I'm not there."

Before Kim could add anything the alarms went off, "Travis, get her out," she almost ordered, but when Koren called her out, she threw a quick look at Pooja and knew the woman would be okay. She had almost reached the stairs as she silently cursed the skirt she wore. "I'm on it," she made her way down by the time she had arrived, the gate room was in chaos. Bewildered, she approached Major Jasmine Cross, the missions lead officer, "Major," she fanned her hand out towards the injured, "What happened?"

Jasmine shook her head more trying to shake the images away, "Olympians," she squeaked out, clearly still shaken, as her big green eyes looked at Kim.

"That's impossible," Kim loudly exclaimed and soon realised that gateroom had gotten quiet, to her ears as her mind tried to deny what she was hearing, "We wiped last of them out." But heard the orders to close the iris once most if not all the men had come through. Shocked beyond words, she was glad that Koren was there to handle some of it while she tried making sense of what was going on. "Who was it?" Speaking of the devil, she assumed that the floating figure was him via some sort of communication system similar to the one that had been used by Sokar. Now that was just peachy.

Back in the Briefing Room, Travis had aided the heavily pregnant Doctor Garcia to the window, from where the action could be seen, "Well I'll be damned," he muttered, "but I'm getting you out of here. I don't want Jerry on my tail." Having Bobby was more than enough. But Travis did give it good as he got it.

"I can't believe that there are more of you. Perhaps worse than you." The doctor shuddered at the image. She wanted to know how bad.

Ignoring her jabs, he faced Troy, "Looks like we might end up making this a reunion to remember."

<<Tag: All>>

[Troy Loveridge]

1256 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Some of the former members of the expedition didn't have to be told twice to go and help the wounded. Will, Koren, Stephanie, Marah and Nolen quickly made their way downstairs to the chaotic Embarkation Room, loosening their formal dress uniforms as they went. Troy watched through the window of the briefing room with pride as they sprung into action, helping the SGC medical personnel to stabalise and move the wounded to the infirmary. It was this exact selflessness and instinct to protect others that had made the Delian Expedition such a potent force against the Olympians.

The general had hoped to stay out of the crisis. While the people down their were from his old expedition, he was no longer in charge of them or even associated with their mission. Ideally he would have liked to stay out of the way and let the SGC handle things.

But the enemy had other plans.

Without warning a figure dressed in dark combat armour and sporting a matching cloak and face mask stepped through the Stargate. Security teams responded immediately, opening firing and ordering the iris be closed. Troy took a half step back with shock - Delian command should have warned them that the Stargate wasn't secure when they send through the wounded. The enemy must still be inside Akrotiri, fighting for control of the base. The figure shrugged off the bullets fired at it, and in a booming voice, announced that it had a message for them.

"We all should have known better," he replied to Kim.

Unable to help himself, Troy quickly made his way to the stairs and down into the gateroom. If the figure had wanted them all dead it would have attacked by now - it clearly had armour that could stop Earth weapons. Troy stepped foward to the foot of the Stargate ramp to address the figure, realising how strange he must have looked in his formal mess dress uniform.

"Major General Troy Loveridge, I can speak for the Expedition and his base," he announced after a moment of silence, standing his ground. At the back of his mind he was silently counting the seconds, trying to figure out how much time he would have to stall for to allow a better armed security force to get into position. A few minutes should do it. "You've attacked our people in your galaxy, who are part of a peaceful exploration mission. I can only assume you also mean us harm. Say what you came to, but I can't guarantee we'll be in the mood for listening."

< Tag Adam "Sly" Collier , Alec Styles , Andy Buchanan , 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 >