Part One: Reunion

[Koren Telion]

0824 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Koren was exhausted. As a natural introvert, the last 24 hours had been completely exhausting to him. First, the pre-reunion meeting between the SGC based former Delta members and the current SGC higher-ups on the nature of the event and expectations, then the reunion itself, then the chaos of the creature who called himself Legion and handling all the injured.

After the chaos was over, Troy asked those remaining to scour the mission reports and first hand accounts to find anything hinting at the strength of Hades forces. Koren realized his expertise in fleet analysis would be the best place to focus his efforts, so he started in the mission reports, and followed up his findings by interviewing the remaining pilots from Delta, finally bringing his findings, typed up in a 200 page report (only 20 of which were written by him, the rest being source material and transcriptions of interviews) to the meeting Troy had called to discuss their next step, if any was to be taken, to confront Hades.

On the screens around the room were the faces of the most renowned officers from the branches that handled deep-space operations all around the globe. Koren had decided it would be best for him to don his dress blues one more time for this meeting.

"Our other option of taking a ship out to Akrotiri sounds appealing, but what we know of the remaining Titan and Olympian fleets is disconcerting." Koren pointed to one of the empty computer screens which lit up with a map of the Delian system and a series of red and green dots.

"Compiling the last few years of mission reports and the eye-witness accounts from the attack on Akrotiri, a disturbing trend has popped up suggesting that Hades may have rallied both remaining forces behind him, which I never though possible. All of this was easy to miss over the course of a small report here or there over the course of a couple of months, but from what we can tell, the fleet leadership met together a few months ago here," Koren said, pointing at a point on the map, "and since then, the scouting and patrol patterns have been far more unified and consistent, but the sheer numbers and new-found organization from the fleets is, frankly, disconcerting."

Koren, sat back down in his chair, spinning it toward Troy and Carter, who sat at the head of the table, "But the Delian expedition had no intel this was coming, and we haven't been able to make contact with any of our allies since the attack, leading to the assumption that this was a coordinated and simultaneous attack against our allies as well. Have any of our other allies in surrounding systems been able to report on the status of our allies?"

<<TAG All>>

[Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard]

0827 Hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

All-nighters were not something that Ayden worked through on the daily grind. Since her retirement from the military and transfer into the NID, she rarely had to pull an all-nighter, but after the devastation that struck both the Delta Site Expedition, and Stargate Command the day prior, it was all hands on deck to try and find any information they could on the god Hades and see what exactly they were up against. After a long night Ayden showered and changed into a fresh outfit before she grabbed the report she stayed up all night compiling and a less than perfect cup of coffee from the mess hall. She arrived early to the briefing room and took a seat across from Troy, on the opposite side of General Carter and placed her report and coffee down in front of her.

Hearing from Will, Cara, and finally Koren, showed the room that not all hope was lost when it came to the attack. There had been a few casualties of those that came through the gate and more than likely countless more on the other side but they could not find out just how many as of yet. The gate had been badly damaged and sending an entire fleet in was less than ideal without more information. Luckily enough Ayden had been able to find some information on Hades after scouring through not only Stargate Command's database on him but multiple online sources and a few field reports.

At Koren's questioning, Ayden shook her head, "I was in contact with a few of our allies last night, none of who have heard from any of our Delian Galaxy allies or the rest of the expedition which never made it through the gate. If this is a coordinated attack as Major Telion is suggesting, we have no way to tell how many of our allies have been hit. It's complete radio silence from the Delian Galaxy."

When her turn came Ayden passed out a report to each of the members around the table and stood to her feet before pulling up some information on one of the empty screens.

"For those of you not present with us this morning, I did send over an encrypted file of the report we'll be going over if you wish to pull it up," she started as she composed herself. "Hades, as we all know, is often referred to as the god of the underworld. He's the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and after the fall of their father, Cronus, the three drew straws to see which realm they would rule over. Hades drew poorly and became the lord of the underworld and the ruler of the dead, although he is not to be confused with Thanatos, the god of death itself. He is known as a greedy god, much like his brother Poseidon, and his main interest throughout the myths of different cultures is increasing his subjects and his favor rests with those whose deeds result in their death - which could very well explain Legion's theatrical departure yesterday."

Ayden pulled up a new slide, "Throughout Greek mythology it is noted numerous times that uttering his name could cause one's death sooner, so instead of referring to him as Hades, he was named Plouton, which was later shorted to Pluto by the Romans. That name is derived from the Greek word for wealth, as he has often been referred to as the god of wealth due to the precious metals that can be mined from the earth. He also goes by Dis Pater and Orcus, although both are very rarely used. Hades, unlike other gods, rarely leaves his kingdom. Some texts suggest that he cannot unless invited out of it, others simply say that he chooses to stay in the underworld because both gods and men do not welcome him in their kingdoms."

She pulled up another slide and used her laser pointer to circle around both his crown and his triton as she continued on, "in most depictions of him, Hades welds a triton of sorts, which some texts suggest he can create earthquakes with, and a crown; this crown was given to him by Cyclopes, and can render its wearer invisible, no doubt through advanced technology." She paused as she turned back to the table and looked at Troy and then Carter, "He could be one of our most dangerous gods to date, as so little is known about how he works. From the texts we can see again and again how he is said to be stern and unyielding, not to mention one of the only gods who are completely unmoved by prayer and sacrifice. Once an individual enters the underworld, they don't leave. There has been one record of an escape, which was by Hercules, but that's all. If Hades has somehow managed to sway the tide in his favor as Major Telion suggests, it will be hard to predict his next course of action."

< Tag: All >

[Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton]

0826 Hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Elizabeth awoke with two small bodies cuddling inside each arm. Their mother had died from her injuries just hours before. The small boy, Rali, and his sister were now orphans. Beth cried holding them while they screamed and grieved for their mom. Looking at the time, the homicide detective gently moved. She placed the two children on folded up blankets for pillows and a small blanket covering them both. Beth only hoped that she could come back to the infirmary and see them again. She had placed numerous children in foster care while solving the murder of the parents. ”Sleep well little ones,”whispered the agent and walked out making the long trek to the briefing room.

Everyone was assembled around a large table. Information was being passed as those veterans of the Stargate program gave their input on the current threat to Earth. Houghton didn’t have time to change or even clean up. With her blouse covered in blood and dirt all over her new suit, the former homicide detective took a seat quietly and listened. Everyone was doing their homework. Everyone had information on the this mythological creature Hades. Elizabeth only remembered these myths through stories read while in high school and in some college courses requiring research.

0830 Hours

There became a quiet moment in the room. Everyone looked so beat from the night before, her included. What could she offer? She didn’t take the time to research. She surely never went to any other world. The only other place she had traveled to was the Bahamas to track down a serial killer. Elizabeth felt as though she didn’t belong at the moment. All she could offer were words from her side of the field she had been part of for so long. ”I wish I had new information about what happened here yesterday. But, I don’t.” Her had lowered, but remembered that she was once offered the Captain’s position at the precinct. Her voice was soft, yet firm. Beth didn’t arise from the seat, but just began to speak. Don’t look like an ass or you’ll be home before you know it.

”As a homicide detective, I had several incidents finding a serial killer. From that experience, I learned that mass murderers loved one thing, attention. They wanted nothing more than to be feared and powerful over everyone. I understand this is a totally different matter. I’m not sure how much information or aide I can be in this program. I am thankful for Katrina Walker’s recommendation. I just hope I can offer my experience in this matter. This ‘Hades’ as he is called was the ruler of the underworld. As there is the best of the best sitting in this room, you already know and did your homework. I’ve never had the experience of being ‘off-world’. The farthest place I was in was the Bahamas to survey and find a pattern to link the serial killer to the murders.” Her eyes made contact gradually with all in the room. ”Maybe there should be a small team that travels to one of the places desecrated or invaded by Hades to see if we can find a common ground. With the right team, we might even find some weaknesses that can be used in our favor. I am willing to put my detective work to some use if I am needed.”

Beth was starting feel a little small in a room filled with highly decorated soldiers. They may even send her out and go back home. Maybe they believed this was too big for a newcomer to even be involved in. ”I may not know very much of the technology. I’ve only had a few days to prepare. Katrina made sure I had as much information as she could provide. She does send her love to all her past comrades and hopefully I can have the honor of serving with you as well.” Elizabeth ended with a light grin and began to look over the new paperwork provided.

Maybe she really wasn’t cut out for this. Maybe murders were just the thing she should handle and not the mass takeover or destruction of planets.

<Tag: All in Briefing Room>

[Andy Buchanan]

0825 hours
Briefing room


As far as he could gauge, he'd now not slept in over thirty-six hours. But he was still going, fuelled by the twin engines of coffee and determination. Once he'd been relieved of 'sudden nurse' duty in the infirmary, Andy had immediately reported to the engineering team, many of whom recognised their one-time comrade. There were broken things that needed repairing and if there one thing Andy Buchanan was happy and comfortable doing, it was repairing broken things. Thus it was that he was found a set of slightly-too-large overalls to protect his clothing (the jam-stained, blood-spattered, fire-extinguished clothing), given a tool box and packed off to do an assessment of damage and to get on with the job of working on the electronics and other systems that had been disrupted.

An hour became two. Two became five. Day became night became day, which was hardly relevant given that they were in a bunker several hundred metres below the surface. Back when he'd been an SGC team member, Andy had always been uncomfortable by the simulated night/day lighting that they sometimes elected to use down here. He just couldn't adapt to it. This was largely because, as an engineer, mostly he needed light. So half-light was never an option.

He slid into his old manner of working as easily as a greased penguin slides down a slippery slide and after more hours had passed and it had become morning - and someone had brought him coffee and a carefully-worded suggestion that he might like to take a break, Andy realised he had missed the start of the meeting up in the briefing room.

He'd still had little to no chance to catch up with any of his former colleagues. He'd exchanged warm smiles and a brief pat on the back with Will in the infirmary, but then Events had swallowed everyone up in their respective chasms of business.

Thus it was that he made his way to the briefing room, still in his too-large overalls, with a mug of mostly cold coffee in his hand. He slid in through the door as quietly as he could manage, hoping not to draw too much attention to himself. He took a standing place in the corner and listened to the exchange.

<Tag: Any and all>

[Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon]

0824 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

You failed to share that he might be a threat with us.

Well too bad, she had thought at the time.

A 7 am video conference with Elliot Cowden was not something she had needed or wanted, but the a$$ had decided otherwise; after nearly having to put in a all nighter and running on three hours of sleep hadn't been done in years. She had wanted to tell him to his face that she did not report to him of all people. The idea of reporting to him was and always been a idea that was full of fluffy, pretty much Tigger fluff. The idea doing some bodily harm to the man had suddenly become appealing. But it wouldn't have looked good on her record. On the other hand she disobeyed direct orders from Jerry on many occasions in the past. Not that it mattered.

And she would have done everything to have Robert Oxford Jr deal with him. The Coast Guards Captain knew very well on how to handle the First Secretary and member of IOA. She walked in dressed in her Class A and spitting cusses under her breath and made a bee line for Travis, "Where is that damn cousin of yours?" she hissed at him; jolting him out sleep he seem to be falling under. Like her, even he had pulled a all-nighter.

"Hell if I knew, other than being back in Vedic Galaxy" he commented as he sipped his coffee, "Dealt with Cowden, eh?"

She glared and moved to say something when Troy's voice boomed into the briefing room, forcing her to put her anger aside, for now. She would deal with Cowden in her own way, "SD 11 and 15 had a brush with his handful of men about," she racked her brain for the timeline she read, "about 3 to 3 and half years ago. Nothing came of it. By handful I mean six to 7. All were killed." Much to their dismay.

The other parts she had read were lost on her due to lack of sleep, "I got more, but it escapes me for now. I'm sure he didn't make an appearance." And she prayed that Cowden didn't make one either.

<<Tag: <Troy Loveridge , Kieran "Bear" O'Shea , Adam "Sly" Collier , Alec Styles , Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard , Marah "Tonobi" Law , Andy Buchanan , Cara Coyle , Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton , Stephanie Martin , Erik Sorensen , Kata Harris , Koren Telion , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Robert "Jackal" Walker , Victoria Ramel , Will O'Malley >

[Erik Sorensen]

0826
Stargate Command
Embarkation Room-Control Room

Well aware of the meeting currently taking place upstairs he was confidant he wasn't needed, not unless he was going to report they had pretty much all functions back, enough people were going to be up there or remotely connecting in from somewhere else anyway. His skills could and were currently best suited to the task of helping get the Stargate back and fully functional.

Once he'd been checked and he'd been given the go ahead to leave the infirmary, he wasn't in any immediate danger, but was given the 'if anything changes come back and see us' speech. The first place he'd found himself was back down near the 'Gate room. Following some Airmen carrying ruined equipment out he found who was in charge of the rebuild and offered his skills, it hadn't been hard to convince him, the custom circuitry and cabling meant a lot of what was damaged needed to be partially or completely re-fabricated, they had the supplies and orders to get the Stargate back up ASAP.

Most of the Current people were working on regaining Iris control, a logical first step so he'd been put onto repairing the control circuits for the Stargate itself something that had taken most of the night and in the wee early morning hours, they'd established a lock on the Alpha site 'Gate and gotten reports and after a few moments personnel returning through a connection from the Alpha site. Iris control had returned but was still limited to manual normal dialing program had then been run from a laptop connected almost directly to it.

With the gate working and other technicians currently assessing damage to the circuits and cables in the 'floor' and 'roof' spaces he'd been able to grab a hour or so of sleep. He'd awoke at 0600ish and then with the damage assessments telling them the Eight Chevron dialing circuits would need to be replaced they'd managed to find the diagrams  for them before beginning the process of rebuilding them, that had been completed (mostly) recently and they were currently testing the circuits which also had restored most controls in the control room. He got a thumbs up from the technicians at the gate which he relayed to the control room. 

With that he and most of the other technicians went up to the control room and watches the screens as the diagnostic program went searching for problems, they'd run this twice before they attempted to dial inside the galaxy and then permission to dial an intergalactic address.

<TAG: Any one who's been fixin' the 'Gate>

[Kata Harris]

0826 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Kata had spent the past several hours helping out where she could. At first it was with moving injured to the medical facilities, then it was digging into the literal mountains of reports trying to find something...anything to give them a lead on Hades and where he could have been hiding all these years. When she had gotten tired of looking at a computer screen she would go get some coffee for herself and anyone else who needed it, slowly but surely the hours crept by...and the only thing they could see to get from reports were bits and pieces mentioning Hades and the chance to read about missions long since passed. 

As eight am neared there came an announcement that Gen. Loveridge was calling a meeting, after a shower and another cup of coffee she joined her peers in the conference room. Everyone went around the table and shared what they had learned..or what they had not learned. For the most part it seemed like no one really had any hard facts about Hades except what mythology told them, and then there were the few scattered reports here and there.

 "Our other option of taking a ship out to Akrotiri sounds appealing, but what we know of the remaining Titan and Olympian fleets is disconcerting."

We destroyed one, we can destroy another. Kata thought, her eyes on Koren as he spoke, once he was done several more people spoke, then Lt Col. McKinnon and then it was Major Harris's turn. She did a quick scan to all the tired faces around the table before turning her attention to where Loveridge sat at the head of the table, "I feel like Hades waited till we thought everything was safe to actually strike, " Kata paused and looked down at the yellow notepad she had been scribbling notes on for the past several hours, she had one sic letter word underlined and circled, mostly to remind herself to bring it up because it was important. "If Hades" she started to say, remembering what Sheppard had said about how people used to believe saying his name from bring death sooner, yet another superstition to add to the book. "Attacked Akrotiri, and several of our allies...and is reassembling a fleet. What is the status of our fleet? Where is the Aeneid? We can't be all bark and no bite.." it was an honest concern. If the battleship was out of commission or worse, destroyed, then it would take longer to get resources to the base and they'd would be lacking a valuable asset in the defense department. 

-TAG: Travis "Wizard" Oxford  Troy Loveridge  Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard  Koren Telion

[Troy Loveridge]

0827 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Troy listened as those assembled around the table brought him up to speed with the latest on the fallout from Hades attack. Delegation - leaving the work to the experts rather than doing everything yourself - was a skill he'd picked up since making the move from the field to behind a desk. It helped when you were working with the best in the business.

"I'm sure the SGC appreciated your help," he said to Will. The loss of life was heart breaking, especially when the expedition had considered itself to be operating under peaceful circumstances. Having been team mates before he knew how Will would be taking the loss, and sadly, he didn't suspect there was too much he could say to help.

The news from Cara sadly wasn't good - the Stargate had been heavily damaged during the attack by Hades' messenger and she didn't think 'gating to the Delian Galaxy would be a viable option.

"Let's keep working on the 'Gate," he explained. "Getting to a point where General Carter can contact her SG teams should be our first priority." Andy didn't mention anything, which was pretty out of character. The situation must have been dire indeed for him not to have a joke to crack.

Koren and Kata, the two pilots present, brought up the possibility of using fleet assets to send help.

"I spoke briefly to Fleet Command overnight and they're scrambling to retask a cruiser to support the relief effort," Troy explained. "Apparently they have a vessel nearby completing a shakedown cruiser and another one only a days journey away if it needed to be recalled." The downside, as Kata and Koren pointed out, was that they didn't know what sort of fleet Hades commanded. For all they knew any rescue party could be severely outnumbered.

All the background they had on Hades was presented, with Ayden discussing the mythology around him, Kim giving the latest intelligence update, and Special Agent Houghton - one of the new faces around the table - offering a psychological profile. All in all their assessment was grim.

"So we've got a well resourced psychopath with a love of death, whose wear abouts we don't actually know?" Troy surmised solemnly. It was hardly a good starting point to work from.

"Alright, well keep up the good work everyone. In the meantime the Pentagon has tasked us with coordinating the response effort," he announced, explaining what he had been doing overnight. Homeworld Command wanted to get to the bottom of this, and while no one had said the word 'revenge', it was pretty clear that they wanted justice. The SGC and its expeditions hadn't suffered an attack like this in half a decade, and the higher ups wanted to make a demonstration that Earth wasn't to be messed with. "Now in an ideal world, who would we send?" Troy had already began a mental list - if he was making the calls he'd appoint General Demyan to command the rescue.

< Tag anyone >

Troy laughed at the suggestion. A decade ago he and everyone around this table would have volunteered for such a mission without hesitation. Hell, they probably wouldn't have been having this meeting - they would have run through the 'Gate with just the clothes on their backs to mount a rescue. But times were different. Half of them hadn't stepped through the Stargate since the last President had taken office.

There was a pause, and no one spoke. Troy looked back up at the speaker, realisation dawning on his face.

"You're serious. Us?" he asked. "You think we should be the ones they send?"

< Tag Adam "Sly" Collier , Alec Styles , Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard , Andy Buchanan , Cara Coyle , Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton , Erik Sorensen , Justin Anderson , Kata Harris , Kieran "Bear" O'Shea , Kimberly "Kim" McKinnon , Koren Telion , Marah "Tonobi" Law , Nolen "Dragon" Syaria , Robert "Jackal" Walker , @adaheart , Stephanie Martin , Travis "Wizard" Oxford , Victoria Ramel & Will O'Malley >

[Koren Telion]

0827 hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

"Alright, well keep up the good work everyone. In the meantime the Pentagon has tasked us with coordinating the response effort," Troy announced, "Now in an ideal world, who would we send?"

Koren hesitated, because the answer was so obvious, but so absurd. He knew he would get flak for being the one to say it, because he was always the one to say it, but it needed to be said because it was the right answer, the true answer, "In an ideal world, sir, I think the answer is obvious;" Koren said while exhaling the breath he didn't realize he was holding, "Us."

Troy laughed at the suggestion. A decade ago he and everyone around this table would have volunteered for such a mission without hesitation. Hell, they probably wouldn't have been having this meeting - they would have run through the 'Gate with just the clothes on their backs to mount a rescue. But times were different. Half of them hadn't stepped through the Stargate since the last President had taken office.

There was a pause, and no one spoke. Troy looked back up at the speaker, realisation dawning on his face.

"You're serious. Us?" he asked. "You think we should be the ones they send?"

"We're the most qualified, the most prepared, sir. We're the best. It's why many of us are stationed here; because our expertise in the field wasn't needed after the Delian galaxy was safe. We know what we're up against more than anyone else," Koren scanned everyone at the table; he could feel the heat from their intent gazes. Some were hating him for saying it, others were nodding in enthusiasm, still more shaking their heads, but with knowing smiles on their faces. They all knew this was true and right, even if nobody but him wanted to admit it, "There wouldn't need to be days of briefings, weeks of training on foreign weapons and Olympian and Titan battle tactics. We could leave tomorrow. Give Carter the time she needs to get the gate up and running and send us reinforcements when we secure Akrotiri."

<TAG ANYONE>

"Well, we have to try. At least somebody does, and Hades will only wait so long, and we have no idea how long that is." Silence reigned once again, nobody wanting to weigh in. KOren heart pounded, and he turned back to the Lieutenant General, passion, honesty and heartbreak in his voice, "Troy, we send anyone else within a reasonable first-response time-frame and we're sending them to their likely deaths. You know that, and we have enough blood on our hands from this damn galaxy as it is." Koren's eyes were burning with impending tears as he thought of all of the lives lost in Delta; hundreds of pilots, dozens of teams, close friends, family... Kepler. He swallowed to keep the tears from escaping his eyes, "This is on us." He paused, eyes locked with Troy, then looking to Carter, who was observing him with her steely-eyed stoicism, "We're the only ones qualified anyway."

<TAG ALL>

[Deleted]

07:55-08:27 hours
On route to Stargate Command

The night had been long, longer than it had ever been and the lack of knowledge on the full event just Intensified that feeling of uneasiness with in the base. Everyone was on high alert, the only information that had come down the line was that the Stargate Command had come under attack. All leave had been cancelled, sure as hell it had all so effected Shauna's due that morning and things were beginning to look the same for the formidable future. Since yesterday 302s had been in the air on a rotation basis, unlike the rest of her team Shauna had been ordered with a number of other members off the base to rest, feed up and make any last call to there family before reporting to hanger two at eight hundred sharp for deployment.

Eight hundred hours was drawing near and with permission she had unknowingly made the last phone call she'd make in a while "...yes mom, I'll do that and yes I'll talk to them about getting the live feed up next time . Well I have to go I just wanted to ring to say I love you, and give my love to Sinead and grandad. " As her mother talked she held the phone as close to her ear as if it would make her closer to her. She had been surprised how well her mother had took the cancellation of leave " You know I can't tell you and I told you before stop asking. Anyway tell Sinead I miss her to bits, Love you, bye" with one last word from her mother she hung the phone up while holding a tear. She'd be lying to say she wasn't missing her family after the call.

Grabbing her bag she made her way over to the hanger while joining a number of other personal. Outside the hanger lay a U.S Military bus. As the group twenty personal grew at eight hundred hours, sharp as ordered the commander of the base drew everyone to attention. Shauna stood with a number of European personal she knew. As soon as the silence hit he spoke,

" I'll keep this short, as of now you are all been transferred to Stargate Command to be placed on stand by." As the commander spoke a firm voice she was half tempted to ask him stand by for what, but she knew that would be suicide," I know some of you have been looking forward to your leave, I just hope you used the time for a phone call wisely. You will all be briefed when time comes, till then it's been a honor to serve will you. Now dismissed " As the commander of the base gave his salute the twenty so people made there way on to the bus. Like a sheep Shauna followed the herd with nerves of not knowing what was fully going on and from missing her sister.

No sooner had everyone got on to the bus did it begin the journey to Stargate. Upon reaching the main entrance for the base Shauna soon noticed they were joining a military convoy with troops and equipment all on route to Stargate Command.

<Tag All>