Part One: Reunion

[Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard]

0828 Hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

When the Major spoke up, almost volunteering the whole lot for the the mission that was on hand Ayden pressed her forehead against the palm of her hand, her fingers and thumb moving to massage at both temples. She was right there with Troy, not quite sure why them of all people should be thrown into this job. Most of the old team was older, retired or just about to be. She looked up and took in a deep breath as she shook her head, both hands dropping to the table and she tapped at the wood as she looked between Troy and Koren. A few moments passed before she sighed.

"Troy, Koren's right whether we want to admit it or not. We spent years there, we know the enemy well, and we have more riding on this than anyone else," she looked to Troy when she spoke. "We lost too many people there to not go back and try to fix this. Kepler, Phillips...Leah." She hesitated putting her husband's name into the mix but it was true. "It's time we finished what we started."

It seemed as if her ache to want to get back into option could possibly be coming true, in the most unorthodox fashion to date. She was a retired pilot, one of the best at that, and she'd be going into this with a different focus, a different way to look at things. The question was, were any of them ready for what could possibly lay on the other side of the gate in the Delian Galaxy? Were they ready to face this 'final god'? The god of the underworld?

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[Will O'Malley]

0828 Hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

Will sat silently as the others went around the table and explained their bit. He really ought to be sliding out and tending to the patients. Or perhaps he just hated meeting. Probably a bit of both. The assorted people began planning a response to such an attack; O'Malley falling into half listening. This didn't concern him, anymore. It was just all explosions and tactics.

But then Major Telion threw some words into the air that dragged the Colonel's attention back to the conversation. Troy voiced his own thoughts on the matter, causing Koren to go into a full explanation. O'Malley leaned back in his chair, gauging the expressions of everyone else. Nobody seemed...excited, but no one appeared appalled either. It was likely because the Major had spoken the truth. Everyone who was former Delta personnel were beyond qualified to go back and fight this thing.

Himself included.

...Assuming he was invited at all.

Ayden words mirrored Will's own thoughts. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but there really wasn't a choice in the matter.

"So...doesn't really sound like there's an option here. We're the best qualified and make the most sense," he took a rather long sip of his coffee, "So, when do we leave?"

Will probably should have harbored more second thoughts at the prospect of leaving the galaxy, but honestly things had been a clusterfrak from him for quite some while. Perhaps getting literally away from Earth was what he needed. After all, he knew the best part of his life was when he was in the Delta Galaxy.

And now there was a solid reason to return.

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[Cara Coyle]

0828 Hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Cara listened to all that spoke about the various things that needed reporting, finally the General speaking again. "Let's keep working on the 'Gate," he said to her. "Getting to a point where General Carter can contact her SG teams should be our first priority."

"The various teams employed by this base are working in it, General." Cara frowned at this, it seemed to easy to slip back into how things used to be when they were on the expedition even though Cara only lasted about a year or so. "I think there is a saying of too many cooks in the kitchen. They've got this, I'd only be in the way."

Others continued to speak, and Cara tried her best to follow along. It had been a long time since she had been a part of something big like this. Ok, maybe it was just all the thoughts and feelings that nostalgia had stirred up. She just hoped nothing crazy would result in those thoughts and feelings.

"I spoke briefly to Fleet Command overnight and they're scrambling to retask a cruiser to support the relief effort. Apparently they have a vessel nearby completing a shakedown cruiser and another one only a days journey away if it needed to be recalled." Cara's ear picked up on this.

"Yes, the USS Thor is doing rather well in it's shakedown. I did a rotation at Area 51 prior to my recent sabbatical, overseeing the work on various installations. Certain tweaks on the engine. It'll be just as good if not better then the Oedipus. Cara reported. Finally, something she could actually contribute rather then being a walking Stargate handy man.

Then there came the question of who should be sent to the Delian Galaxy to deal with this intrusion on our peace. One of the personnel from the current expedition spoke up with the answer of "Us." Cara thought it was obvious, of course those of the expedition who were currently on Earth should be sent back. But apparently that wasn't exactly what he meant, this much was obvious when General Loveridge included many of the people not a part of the expedition sitting at the table to be a part of the 'us' team. Surely that wasn't her as well, clearly not. Why would she go as well, they didn't need her, they had plenty of people that could do what she could. She learned that Doctor Ramel, who was here as well, was the assistant head of scientific research. There were then several people actually agreeing this this, Ayden Sheppard....Will.

Cara gave a slight laugh, "Well....good luck!" she was still setting herself a part from the team.

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(OOC: someone please feel free to kick Cara a good dose of reality, that's she is needed. She's always viewed her time in the other galaxy as a failure, cuz she couldn't hack it or something. She may be good at what she does, but she's alone a lot and isolated with her own thought which leads to idiotic thinking)

[Troy Loveridge]

0830 hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

Troy mulled over what Koren had said for a moment, turning the idea over in his mind. It did have merit - on paper the former expedition members who were at the SGC for the anniversary party were without question the most qualified. Many of them had spent three years fighting the Olympians and they could hit the ground running. Ayden too made a good point - the events of yesterday had only taken place because the expedition hadn’t taken Hades out ten years ago when they should have. And now others had paid the price. It was on their heads to finish what they had started.

As Cara rightly pointed out, they also had to hardware to support the mission, with the Thor the perfect vessel for such a mission. The SGC meanwhile, who would ordinarily be responsible for coordinating the rescue, currently had their hands full. The infirmary was still dealing with the wounded from the attack, and their engineers and scientists were all occupied getting the Stargate back online. They would be short on personnel for a few weeks at least.

Will posed what was now sounded to be the most logical question - when were they leaving?

Troy rose from his briefing table and walked to the edge of the room, where his jacket was hanging over a spare chair. He rummaged through the pockets before returning to his seat with two items. The first was a guest list from the anniversary event last night, and the second was a small pair of reading glasses. He tried to avoid wearing them in public, but his eyes were too tired to cooperate.

He ran his finger down the guess list, mentally checking off the occupations of all those who were still at the SGC. As the others had rightly pointed out, all the expertise needed to launch a rescue was present. They had special forces, fighter pilots, intelligence, medical doctors, engineers, scientists, archaeologists and anthropologists. And all those named were not just representatives of their field, they were the best in their fields. The more he looked at the list, the less likely Troy thought he would have been able to come up with a more capable crew.

“I see your point, but I don’t think they’ll go for it,” Troy replied as he folded his glasses and returned them to his pocket.

“Actually,” said a familiar voice from the corner of the room. “They will.” General Carter was standing in the doorway to her office, evidently having finished the phone call she had been making while the meeting had taken place. “I just got off the phone to President, and she agrees with Major Telion. By the time we train another team, Hades could have gone back into hiding. Timing is of the essence.”

Well, Troy had to admit that he hadn't seen that one coming.

“Alright, well it’s going to take a few days to get this off the ground,” he explained. His mind was already racing to explore the logistical nightmare it would be to equip such a rescue on such short notice. “We’ll need time to gather our gear and put our affairs in order.” Which basically meant: kiss your loved ones goodbye once more, grab whatever equipment you could beg, borrow or steal, make sure your will was up to date.

Cara seemed to share Troy’s scepticism that the group assembled were the best people for the job, wishing them all good luck. While he was a little surprised, he understood where she was coming from. They were all a lot older nowadays, and had lost the naivety that they’d had when they’d first been assigned to the Delian Galaxy.

“However, joining the rescue is optional,” he explained, folding closed his binder and gathering up his belongings from the desk. “I only want volunteers. Pass the word around - anyone that wants to come is to report back here in three days. Dismissed.”

OOC: Please make your final SGC posts, I’ll jump us to the Delian Galaxy in a few days.

< 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 >

[Deleted]

08:30 hours
On route to Stargate Command


Shauna sat at the window seat against the window watching the landscape as it flickered away, like any plans she had made for the next week with her loved ones. The technology of the Stargate Program came at a price and heavy one at that. When she was stationed in Ireland, everything was under control and family was always near. Now leave was cancelled, she had no notions when she might see her family again and all signs were pointing towards the not so near future. When she joined the Irish Air Corp she never expected to be flying an jet fighter, let alone a 302. But here she was in a hidden deployment from those she loved.


Shauna was keeping quiet for most of the journey till the ground crew personal who was sitting beside her got push out of his seat for an another French pilot, Cloe whom Shauna knew all to well. The pilot dropped in the seat beside her.

" Shauna want to hear D gossip,"

" How Feck do you always know these things,"Shauna replied as she raised her eyebrows.

With out waiting for a real answer Cloe whispered," Word is Delta was overrun, survivors barely got out alive, " she turned to look around making sure no officers were near," They sent one soldier through..

Shauna butted in," We did or they did ?"

Cloe frown as she sat back," To be honest I'm not sure, he was speaking in German when he told me."

All Shauna could do was laugh," Cloe, love you, but your shit when it comes to Gossip and your German is rotten."

Cloe reached over Shauna as she looked out the window and spoke in a soft tone " What ever happened, one thing I know is that, What ever they did to Delta, that was there first mistake,"

"Grab gun, cause if this convoy doesn't prove it, I don't know what will. Were at war." Shauna keep her gaze out the window watching the people go about there daily life. For a second she almost wished she never knew of the program in fear of the unknown. Just lime them.

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[Ayden "Ghost" Sheppard]

0831 hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

When General Carter entered the room and stated that they had the go-ahead for the expedition, Ayden looked up, a little surprised. Most around the table were seasoned veterans who were once in that galaxy, but they were a lot older than they had been ten years prior. Most had families or other priorities now. She ran a hand over her face before she gathered her reports as she stood up. There was so much that needed to be done in the next three days and time was of the essence. 

She had to get back to D.C. to report to her superior. She had to talk to her brother, and see her son one last time. It was already making a small migraine form and she took in a deep breath. One day at a time, one step at a time. She had to remember that and just focus on the time in front of them right now. She had to figure out what all had to get done and make sure it was all completed before their departure.

"I'll see you in three days then," she stated, looking to Troy and then to the other personnel around the table. Any who chose not to come would have their reasons, but Ayden's mind was already made up. There was nothing holding her to Earth and she had been missing the whole mission thing anyway. It looks like she was getting her wish; even if it was a lot sooner than she ever thought it'd be.

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[Kieran "Bear" O'Shea]

0831 Hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

Kieran had spent the evening in the infirmary after a nasty bump to the head, a few stitches, and quite a few cuts and bruises. His attention wasn't on himself or the injuries he sustained, but instead he was focused on seeing who exactly had made it through the gate and who didn't. He knew there were two teams off-world at the time of the attack, so that meant eight were currently unaccounted for. A few dozen had made it through the gate and after his initial count it seemed as if twenty or so were missing, not including the two off-world teams.

It could have been a lot worse.

Of those that were still unaccounted for were a few scientists, a dozen soldiers, and a couple of medical staff. Each was irreplaceable in their own way, and Kieran hoped that they had found some way to survive the attack. For now there was nothing more he could do for them, but he knew that this meeting could determine the outcome of their lives. He had sat quietly in the briefing room for the duration of the meeting, and when the General came in and announced that their mission was a go he nodded slowly and scratched at his jaw as he watched the reactions of those around him.

"If I may," the Irishman spoke up as he looked to the Generals and then to the rest of the table. "We still have twenty individuals unaccounted for. Doctors, nurses, soldiers, scientists; we don't know what happened to them. If that were me over there, I'd like to know I had people lining up to mount a rescue mission."

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[Erik Sorensen]

0827-0830 Hours
Stargate Command
Control Room

Watching the screens from the readings it was clear they weren't done, not by a long shot, quite a few of the systems were only just working, however msot had also gone from errors to warning and warnings were significantly less bad than errors, warning meant there was connectivity but that usually safety margins were being exceeded in most cases currently it was low power levels and or large signal losses.

The Stargate was now technically able to establish an 8 chevron lock albeit with some risk of some electrical surges and blow outs but more probably a sudden drop in power cutting the connection, sending people was still out of the question but radio contact should work. Everyone looked around at each other, technically they'd gotten it back up, but no one wanted to tell General Carter and all the other upstairs the bad news. "I'll do it, not like they're my boss..." He was still a little scared but he'd always felt honesty was the best policy, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

0831 Hours
Stargate Command
Briefing Room

Coming up the stairs from the control room he listed to the current speaker someone whose face was familiar but name was. "We still have twenty individuals unaccounted for. Doctors, nurses, soldiers, scientists; we don't know what happened to them. If that were me over there, I'd like to know I had people lining up to mount a rescue mission." stepping in a little dedicded to offer the news from down stairs. "On that, the Stargate is now mostly operational, it's not perfect but with a couple more days it should be pretty much back as before. We're ready to attempt an intergalactic dialing General Carter."

[Troy Loveridge]

0830 hours
Briefing Room
Stargate Command

General Loveridge watched as everyone around the briefing table gathered up their possessions and made their way to the door. Once they were all gone he smiled. He couldn’t have asked for a more loyal and capable group of people. Working with them on the expedition had been an honour. Being around them all again was a great experience, and he couldn’t remember enjoying himself this much since he’d come back to Earth from the expedition. His only wish was that the group had been brought together under better circumstances.

Carter had returned to her office to make more calls, and with all the video teleconference screens having gone dead, Troy was left as the briefing room’s sole occupant. He took a few deep breaths, enjoying the moment of solitude. He’d been run off his feet the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on the anniversary event, but that had been nothing compared to the stress he’d faced overnight since Hades attack on the Delian Expedition and the SGC. It was good to sit still, even just for a few moments.

The moment couldn’t last though. Resigning himself to a many more sleepless nights before yet another crisis was resolved, Troy gathered his possessions and departed the briefing room. There was a jet on the tarmac at Peterson Air Force Base waiting to whisk him off to DC for more rounds of planning meetings to iron out all the details of the rescue mission.

No rest for the wicked.

< Continued on D2X-374 >