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[Playerfiles]

<USS Apollo-Starboard Hangar Bay>  <AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>

"Welcome aboard our little venture. I think we'll appreciate having you Marines with us. We'll sort out where you'll fit in as we go."

"Aye Cap'n..." Yeah, it was unexpected, but intimate-filled nights and alcohol headaches were far and few in-between these days, and life seemed a bit *confuzzeled* so it had been a few days of R&R that was supposed to get his head right, but he was never *Right* unless he was in harm’s way... and according to his sources, Navy Captain Jordan O’Neil needed some *assistance* on a trip she was taking... and that was all he needed to know... so he *signed up*... and he gave her a salute as she welcomed him and his *Marines* as they boarded. And he smirked when she mentioned *fit in*.

There was no coincidence when she needed a marine, this particular one was there... reasons unknown to all, save him... and yeah, maybe her. Even if the strategists or the planners looked at the mission sheets in the aggregate, none would deduce the attachment of his unit to hers was other than a *coincidence*.... but JP knew better... and his contacts were *favored* for that information... Hey but who knew?!!

As Rook found his place, he dropped his helmet in the assigned seat, but he proceeded past others to get to his Sergeant, to who he spojke in a soft voice... “Mari, make sure the children are settled in... Remember the mission prep, and watch for Jor... er, Cap’n O’Neil’s verbal amendment to orders on site... we don’t know whats there until we’re there. Stay tight...” and all SGT Ortez said was “Aye Sir...” and he gave a head nod.  He gave a nod to Adaire and Simmons as he passed them heading back to his seat.

<Cockpit>

"Mike, Rook, both of you, it's not much more complicated than X-Box. Even the controls are similar. For you Rook, you'll have the pulse gun turret and missiles, if we need them. I'll have the chaff cutter up front."

Rook took his seat behind the pilot. After strapping himself in, he took a brief moment to take in the controls, while at the same time trying to block out the chatter. More especially the whining from Doc McKay. And having a Wraith sitting behind him was a little hard for Rook to adjust to; but he was a Marine, he’d get over it soon enough, he just adjusted the shoulder Glock Nine for confidence. Once he worked out which was which, it'd soon became familiar enough.

Finally, he answered his new CO, and he almost tripped over his tongue in doing so. “Can’t say I’m a computer game nerdy, Jord…. er, Cap'n. Though I can say these controls aren’t much different to the controls for the Bushmaster on the LAV-25. I think I can handle it ma’am.” Of course, he didn’t want to eat his own words, Rook double checked and found that yes, it was much the same after all.

Pulse gun turret and missiles... Hot damn... “Manned and ready , Sir...” as he immediately started to relocate his helmet and his gear... to just outside the turret. In case of crash, he did not want that crap too far away, so he connected the quick-release harness to the turret frame. His thoughts were... Xbox my arse... he lived in simulations with this sh... crap...

Need them? If her arse was in the pilot seat, then she would need him where he was...

Was it all about Jordan O’Neil? Well... he was close to retirement now... and he hoped that he would be able to live healthily enough to enjoy those sunshiny days of promise and leisure on a beach in Pago Pago or Bora Bora... but most Devil Dogs like him were all dead... he was the last of the old Dogs... the new pups that took over the Marines now were more intelligent, more tech-smart lookin’ for rank the easy way... but few were street-smart, battle tested... like Mari Ortez... she had earned his respect as a battle-bayitch among the Dogs... But there were not too many officers he respected nowadays... save one... and that was Jor.... Cap’n O’Neil... but if their relationship, if that could be called that, were to become public, then she’d have to tell the story, not him.... nope, not even on his deathbed... or even a deathbed confession...

<Turret 1>

What he wasn’t expectin' was the sudden jolt after the AC402-6, Op-Named ‘Crowbar’ had stopped in the take-off position. One moment he heard O’Neil talking to the LSO, the next moment Agathon gave a very brief count down, the 6g's pushed the old Devil-Dog back hard into his seat, like a hooker on speed in New Orleans, and he smirked at the feeling. “Damn that was... different.” He couldn’t find the words to describe it at the moment... maybe later over a beer, or two.

All-in-all, the effects of the launch, dropping out of the big bellied beast of the mother-ship, by the 402 was a bit tense, but he’d been thru worse... but surely some within this fat belled beast would feel the effects... But truth be told, he would have to say this bitc..., er beast was a bit sprite... modified by those space-techies, or even the alien allies. But they were on their way down to the planet... so he’d figure to test the armament under stress...

He rotated the turret sighting in on pretend targets... and over his shoulder... “Permission to test guns, Turret 1... !!!” he said into the mic as his foot depressed the  mic-button on the floor of the turret.


@[mim]

[Mim]

<USS Apollo-Starboard Hangar Bay>
<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>
 
<Cokpit>

 Passing through the planet’s atmosphere set off a sonic boom, that was felt as a slight jolt within the small ship, Jordan clenched her teeth expecting much more, as she had been so used to the older 401, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Luckily from the Apollo’s sweep of the planet only two prospective sights were chosen and of those two, one far to the north of the planet was discounted because of the extreme volcanic activity in that area. The second, roughly three hundred kilometres south of the equator, located on the second largest continent, some sixty odd kilometres, inland from the eastern coast. From the data collected by the Apollo, they were expecting jungle, rainforest and moderate, to extreme humidity.

 At 3,000 metres under Jon’s steady hands they levelled out, at that point Jordan exhaled deeply. Not that she was overly concerned with his flying, it was more a matter of them so far being undetected. “Drop us down to fifteen hundred metres Jon, then we’ll do a wide circuit around the target area, say a twenty-klick radius. While you’re doing that, we can look for a carpark.” Most often people thought Jordan didn’t have a funny bone in her body. And she’d never admit to one either. Yet there were just those little snippets that came out of her, that told you, that she was after all still human.

 She was, actually grateful Agathon had the controls, that gave her the chance to do what she had to do in command. “Mike, while we buzz around, you can see what we hope might be there. Your scanners there will pick up any energy signature, or infrared signal of life signs, I think down to at least thirty metres deep. Hopefully luck will be with us today.”

 Not seeing faces while talking to people was at times annoying; Jordan twisted around as much as the 402s seat would allow her. “Rodney, would you really have preferred me get cranky with you? I mean after all I could have been one of those angry bus drivers that told you to get out and walk.” Of course, no one would ever do that to dear old McKay; would they?

 She didn’t forget Rook either. “When we’re at the top loop of the second pass, you can test the turret out Rook. I’d rather know the damned thing works now, than having found out when we need it, we have a failure on our hands. We’ll find some kind of target for you to knock over.” She had to chuckle inwardly at the way he handled his kids, not quite her style, yet she admired it all the same. “I think whoever designed the 401, wasn’t a sci-fi nerd, more I think they were a practical engineer, wanting to keep things simple.”

 One question was on Jordan’s mind. How did Mike and Rook feel about having a Wraith sitting casually, so close to them. She knew it wouldn’t bother McKay, much like herself, he had much more exposure to them. She shrugged. “Enjoying the view back there Kenny?” There was one thing though she needed to clear up from him. Of all the worlds she had encountered Wraith upon, they were usually barren, or desert, but yes warm. This, this humid jungle below them was different. “Does this look like a possible hiding place for the hybrids, to you?”

 <Rear Cargo Area>


 That last jolt told Louise they were in atmosphere, and her stomach told her as much. She glanced at Ty and Chris. They certainly appeared to be in good shape, as were Sin and Sergeant Rook’s marines. “Yessir we’re all fine here.” Lou answered her CO. She lied, naturally.

 Space flight was a marvellous thing when you thought about it. A conversation could take place and then so much happened before you had a chance to answer someone. Such was the case with Louise and the two Wraith. Now that Kenny was up in the ‘executive lounge’, as she called the cockpit, he was still in sight, or at least his legs were. The radios they all wore saved the need for shouting though. “I saw and watched Rhiase in action with us when we fought the Vanir. I don’t think there is anyone else who could endure such horrors.” Todd she only knew by reputation. She turned then to Sin. “We’ll find them, I know we will.” As the words fell from her mouth, she eyed the bathroom door ahead of them, wondering what shade of green she might be, while her head swam around in dizzying circles.

 @DanielRyder @Thaddeus @Playerfiles @Teddy  @Draco-Stellaris @Sio83 @sorra @Ellen_Ripley

[DanielRyder]

<Hangar Bay>

Captain Jon Hope Agathon - AR3 XO/Pilot


<Cockpit>
<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>

As a pilot, Jon could possibly consider himself sort of a guide if he's familiar with his surroundings. Getting from the hanger bay was no small feat for him. Reentering the atmosphere after returning to normal space gave him a bit of a jolt. He had no doubt the passengers onboard the Crowbar felt it too. Crowbar. Jon smirked a little at the name and exhaled when a little warning button came on his console. Tapping it once, he turned it off. It's fine. Probably something minor that simple repairs could take care of.

The atmosphere offered friction against the AC402 as he flew it through the clouds. He braced himself for what came next after leaving the protection of the cloud cover. While trying to keep them flying incognito, Jon monitored the power levels. He listened to his commanding officer and nodded responding quietly, "Aye, Captain. Looking for a carpark." He knew it was joke. However, he agreed too as trying to find one hidden is pure murder.

The 'Crowbar' glided and continued to go down fifteen hundred meters on the dark side of the mountains away from the sun. It started its descent into a nearby jungle and began its wide circuit around the target area.


“Permission to test guns, Turret 1... !!!”


Hearing Rook behind him, Jon groaned softly. Keeping his hand on the controls, he rubbed his face with his other hand and mumbled softly, "Be Professional, man..." As he uttered under his breath, he made sure no one heard that. Fortunately for them, their commanding officer was "loose" when it comes outbursts like this.

Shaking his head, Jon listened to the quiet chatter behind him. Keeping his eyes on the target, he added looking back for a brief second, "We should try to find a nice place to set her down to hide the AC even for a bit. We can test the turrets at a later time at least when we have enough information about the area."



@Thaddeus  @Playerfiles @Teddy  @Draco-Stellaris @Sio83 @sorra @Ellen_Ripley

[Mim]

< X34a planet surface>

[Ellen_Ripley]

<Hybrid Underground Base>
<Holding Cells>



Satisfied that his charge wasn’t going to trouble him any further, Todd set about preparing for the prisoner’s attack upon the guards. They had time, plenty of it and some of his fellow inmates had been incarcerated by the Hybrids for over a year now. From a loose stone block behind his bunk, he removed several items, all made either by him, or other prisoners. Two sturdy knives, something that resembled a short sword from Earth’s medieval days and a cross bow. Primitive weapons indeed, but with the element of surprise, Todd and his other conspirators concluded their first target after liberating this level was to be the armoury; one level above them.

He nodded with approval when he turned to see Rhiase dressed as she was. After all, she was the most sought after and abused prisoner of them all and surely not even the hybrids would recognise her now. If he had not shared his cell with her these last two months of their three-month internment, he wouldn’t recognise her either. He handed over the cross bow and a quiver made from some kind of hide, filled with perhaps fifteen to twenty bolts. “Use this wisely Rhiase, or if it comes to close quarters, use the blade.” He handed over one of the knives. “Once we have the armoury, we will make our way to the surface via the quarry path north. From there, our hope is to camp and wait for their weekly re-supply cruiser for the guards.” They had gone over the plan several times, a plan at first Rhiase said would ultimately fail. Yet each time they revisited the plan with updates, until her outburst a short while ago, she thought there might be a slim chance. That cruiser was due today, usually late in the evening, which gave them about five hours to be free of these dungeons.

@Mim

[Ellen_Ripley]

<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>



Chris played around with the volume control for his radio; Mike's call to them was just way too loud. For the AC-402 had a much better sound insulation than the older 401, with the engine noise now just a mere hum. He followed up from Lou's reply before returning to the conversation with Ty. "All good here Boss, how're you doing up the pointy end there sir?"

He saw Louise briefly look at them both, he recognised that split second extra look she gave Ty, Chris knew that look only too well. "Ty, mate I think we both know, between you and I, she means much more to you than just a teamy. Other than I admire you, because if you ever get to let her know, she'll throw you a life line; just look at the numbers of blokes she's turned away back on Atlantis, but I will say this, don't let your love for her cloud your choices when the shooting starts. Okay?"

After the re-entry, Chris unclenched his fists. That part was always just a little nerve wracking for him, yet this new bird didn't have the same effect on him, so he settled back in his seat to observe each member of the party. He turned to the young marine next to him. "Name's Chris, second battalion, Yorkshire Paras." While he still had a faint trace of his original Filipino accent, the adopted heavy tones of a Yorkshireman were clear as a bell. As Londoner's often said, it's like listening to someone talking with marbles in their mouth.'

@Thaddeus  @sorra @Playerfiles

[sorra]

<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>


 

Ty loved to fly but the pressure of taking off and landing not to mention jumping in space was something you didn't get used to.  Although it started to come a little easier.  "All good here, Boss."

He glared at Chris before sighing.  His friend had seen right through him.  "You're right, " he finally agreed quietly.  "I just don't know if I can handle a rejection."  He nodded in understanding.   "Of course.  I know how to keep my priorities in line."  At least he hoped so.  He didn't want to lose Louise again. 

He caught sight of the look on Louise's face.  Oh that was bad.  She looked sick to him.  "Lou?" He asked.  "You okay?"

[Teddy]

<USS Apollo-Starboard Hangar Bay>
<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>
 

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

 @DanielRyder @Thaddeus @Playerfiles @Teddy  @Draco-Stellaris @Sio83 @sorra @Ellen_Ripley

McKay
He fidgeted in his seat and looked at the captain and gave a very quick uncomfortable grin while looking at his tablet to avoid her eyes.
"No, not really, had that happen too many times, besides this seat is the best we can probably do, with the budget cuts no doubt that we all have to endure the best of the worst"

@Mim

[Teddy]

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

 McKay

McKay looked between the seats just as Agathon spoke,
"Yes, good idea lets make more noise as we sneak up on the enemy"
McKay glanced at the planet and mumbled as he typed on his tablet again
"Looks like a giant spread of broccoli,  I always hated that vegetable"


@DanielRyder

[Playerfiles]

<Turret 1 - top loop of the second pass >

While waiting for permission, seemingly forever, Rook had been looking at the turret guns, and the associative switches and buttons… “Aye Cap’n, top loop of the second pass…” basically ignoring the pilot, for it was as his hands secured the grips, he smirked… “Yep…” was all he said to the weapon, then nodded to the man named *Mike* in turret two, as he mumbled the rest of his sentence about the guns… something about the twin-barreled plasma pulse guns, its operations. With his eyes back to *Mike*, he pointed to the missiles’ trigger and shook his head… Missiles were a premium, so Rook only smirked waiting on Mike’s affirmative nod back…

Both men in agreement, and after a few moments, the ‘Crowbar’ made that familiar shift, Rook sat back, hands on the guns, looking thru the sites with both eyes open, the eyes scanned the area in a 360 making sure nothing was in the line of fire… at least nothing that was not supposed to be there… then the twin-single beamed weapon fired short, quick bursts like any single barreled Asgard weapon… hearing the second turret weapon blasting shortly thereafter… the slight vibration felt exhilarating but he released the trigger finger after a few seconds, firing only a few rounds of plasma slugs, instead of the available 750 per minute….

Then with a look to the second turret seeing Mike smile, Rook smiled back and nodded… his foot depressing the floor mic switch… “Test fire complete, Aye, weapons capable… much obliged, Cap’n…”

Thereafter, Rook simply enjoyed the ride… smoother than he expected of course… one eyes on the planet surface, the other looking thru the flip-down view-screen…. and where his eyes went so did the tip of the barrels… It was not his first *rodeo* and several scenarios of memories passed from memory to the present, quickly receding back to memory.

He refused to look into the ship to see his team… he knew Mariah would do what she must as a leader.  And that memory flashed forward, reminding him of the first time he’d met her and how professional she was even when the old Grunt picked on her… she had not broke… and now, after 2 years, and more than triple that many missions, she was fully trained, an effective killing machine… but one thing made her exceptional, her quick and effective decisions.

Instead he just allowed the memory to fade to black while his eyes roamed the planet’s forested surface. No telling how many *hostiles* were watching them; he just hoped the *surprise* would hold up.

@Mim @Thaddeus @DanielRyder

[Mim]

<Hybrid Underground Base>
<Holding Cells>

 

 The reply came as a grunt. Nothing more. She was done talking now, her only aim was to find freedom, and the revenge that would certainly come along with it. The blade was small, no more than 10cm in length, the handle roughly the same again; nothing much more than a utility knife in most hands, in Rhiase’s though, it would be an extension of herself, something to exact that retribution for all she had suffered. “You may wish to keep a tight leash on me Guide.” Her words were harsh, the anger obvious as she slipped the small weapon into the belt that kept her filthy trousers in place. The cross bow and quiver she slung around her shoulder, a strap had been fashioned for it and while it wasn’t something she was accustomed to, it didn’t take her long to become proficient with it.

 Moving to stand behind the barred door, she waited with her ‘uncle’ for that sound to come, and how appropriate, the Karken Owl. A native of her own ancient homeworld. There an irony there, the place Bonewhite had found her over 500 years ago, a place she thought long ravaged by  centuries of war, and yet here in these cells were more than a dozen men and women who called Karkaya their own. Leaning against the cold iron, Rhiase felt a shudder pass through her spine; as if a ghost had walked over her very soul. She knew that feeling, distant and remote as it was. ~Father?~. Surely not, could it be?

 @Ellen_Ripley @Draco-Stellaris

[Draco-Stellaris]

There was no mistaking the feeling. Something brushed past his mind in the faintest of touches. Someone. Far away and almost out of reach. Yet he instantly recognised the presence. Is it true or is it just some kind of wishful thinking…? His thoughts began to race. She was alive, was she? He did not dare allow himself feel relief, not yet.

Rhiase? Can it be? Bonewhite quickly turned back to Sin and wondered if he had felt it too. He addressed him. ~Quick! Check for telepathic presences. I'm picking something up and would like confimation.~

"Captain O'Niel," he began, talking slowly while still concentrating. "I may have a trace. It's still early to say something specific but we may get telepathic contact."

Would it be dangerous to call out to his daughter? Would the hybrids, if there were any, be able to pick up his presence as well? He decided to heck with it all and focused on sending out a powerful thought that she would be able to receive. To be on the safe side, he would send a mental image of something that only Rhiase would be able to recognise. To her, it would mean the world but to everybody who might be eavesdropping it would give away nothing. The image of the first Wraith-made sword that he gave to her as a gift.

@Mim @Sio83

[Thaddeus]

<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>

Baker had glanced down at his screen, listening to the chatter which was happening around him. His hand was on the trigger for the turret, his thumb off the red button as he took stock of what was happening. His eyes glanced over briefly to the old Marine who seemed to be mumbling to himself. Noting that there did not seem to be important to the mission ahead of them. He wasn't a fan of the guns being tested out, being that they should have been tested before they left the safety of their ship.

It gave them away--

Another glance on his screen indicated that the second pass revealed something. "Agathon, O'Niel. We've got gun placements on a hill towards the West side. I suggest we need to make a landing now."

[Sio83]

While Sin has served under Bonewhite, neither Guide nor Rhiase had spoken to him for more than an hour and nothing more than meetings at Atlantis with humans involved.  He had no connection to them the way Bonewhite had and thus he never sensed anything--he wasn't familiar to either of them.

However, he recognized the look on his superior's face.  Someone had contacted him, and it was the people they were looking for.  Now they all knew where to go.  Now they knew they were headed for a fight.  Now Sin had to fight, something he wasn't sure if he was skilled enough at. 

Worse, if he failed, there was no hive to help him or compensate for his failure.  Thus wasn't a hunt for food or a situation where others knew his skills as a scientist made up for his deficiencies.  These were humans and from what he had heard, they had extremely high and often odd standards for wraith.

@Mim @Draco-Stellaris

[Ellen_Ripley]

<AC402-6 ‘Crowbar’>



Ty's friend gave him a brotherly smile, he knew the score and knew only too well what the man was going through. The two were as close as friends, buddies, could be, To Chris, Ty was the brother he wished he had, that older brother that was at times lost in the world where the traditional positions were reversed, the younger having to guide the older through stressful situations. "You'll do okay mate." That was all the reassurance he needed to give. When Ty, spoke to their teammate, Chris sat back again to close his eyes for a moment. It was then he heard their CO's call to the Captain and Agathon. That made him sit up smartly. "Looks like the party is about to start. Better get ready for a quick exit." He kept in harness on though, no sense in being flung around the ship if things got rough on their descent.

@sorra @Mim