Aberrant: Stargate Universe - SG 23: Mission to Neone (P6X-098)

[Mr Fox]

The newly reformed team received the message to report for mission briefing at 08:00. Once everyone had arrived and was seated General O'Neill stood and headed to the whiteboard. "This is going to be a tough one people. The big brass reviewed SG23s last mission report and the request for aid from the prisoners you freed." He nodded toward Major Hawke and Omar. "That was good work by the way. This time around is going to be more difficult. I'm sending you into an unknown and possibly hostile situation. The world was at least partially subdued by Hathor if only by her using her mojo on the government officials. There will be an unknown number of Jaffa, but the boys in intel think the number is likely to be relatively small, but that could mean anything from a handful in key positions of power to hundreds spread out around the planet. We just don't know." He paused to let that sink in.

"Your mission is to go through the gate and recon. If possible you are to meet up with your contact, the former slave, and assess the situation. You will each be implanted with a subdermal transmitter that will allow us to pull you out of there via the Prometheus if the gate is guarded such that you can't come back through. If things are that hostile you are to do what you can or just lay low. If you don't report back in via the stargate in two days we will assume the worse and send Prometheus for you as soon as it returns from Atlantis. That will mean you laying low for nearly three weeks." It was obvious from the seriousness that he was giving the discussion that O'Neill thought this could be a dangerous mission.

"On the other hand, if things are as we were led to believe and the removal of a handful of Jaffa will restore power back into the hands of the people of Neone then you are authorized to do what is necessary. Questions?"

[Noah Weston]

Noah sat ramrod straight in his chair as the all too familiar tickle of nerves fluttered through his belly. This wasn't fear of unease but excitement. This mission, his first actual mission was going to be both dangerous and important; if not to the SGC, then at least to the people of that planet. His powers were perfectly suited to this mission too and that made the young man happy.

"No questions here Sir!" He said in a crisp, formal military voice.

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult came to the team meeting with General O'Neill dressed in the standard BDUs and completely non-standard undergarments, a little nervous at the idea of an off-world mission. This would be only the second time for Yseult through the Stargate, and the skills she possessed didn't seem to be heplful in relieving a planet of occupying Jaffa. However, with the way her life had turned out, she had very little options, and didn't wish to fail on her first mission.

Yseult took a deep breath, straightened her slender shoulders, and faced General O'Neill directly. "Sir, I have a few questions if I may? One, will we be able to have access to Zat'nik'tels? Electrical Impulses disrupt the Nish'ta compound that the goa'uld use for mind-control and influence. If some of the Jaffa or government officials are still under its sway, we may be able to turn them to our side, or at least stop them being enemies."

"Two, what do we know of the culture and people of P6X-098? Do we have clothing to help blend in and will language be a problem? And do we know if Hathor had any specific reason to control this planet, and if so, what? Or was it just opportunity?"

Yseult's unnatural, turquoise eyes flicked around to her teammates', meeting O'Neill's gaze briefly, before dropping to her feet. Her accented soprano was very soft as the asked her final question. "And why am I going, General? I can see why the others are going, they are soldiers, but I am a scientist and doctor. I can help them if they are hurt, but I will be little help battling Jaffa."

The beautiful blonde doctor peeked back up to look at General O'Neill through long lashes, desperate for an answer.

[Mr Fox]

O'Neill listened to the barrage of questions until Yseult ran out and raised an eyebrow at all of them. "Zats, yes. Very little, but that their world has only one government. She plundered the world of it's people, so presumably she wanted followers. Since it was scientists that were taken as slaves then the world is at least somewhat industrialized and modern, but we don't know to what extent."

The generals eyes became a bit harder, "You are going because you are a member of this team. You may not be a soldier, but your team won't always need a soldier. What if you come across Goa'uld technology? Suppose your team gets captured and locked up in a Goa'uld cell, someone is going to have to attempt to pick the lock. What if one of your team members gets injured, you are a doctor. What if you run across an alien pathogen that is making people ill and it is beyond the native's ability to deal with. We make the teams diverse for a reason."

[Yseult Sierra]

I am a member of a SG team because I was given no choice. What would you do if I refused to participate?

Yseult shook her head against the thought. O'Neill had always been a good man, and he deserved her best. Her own eyes hardened, her mouth a firm line, as General O'Neill listed off what she could do for the team. They weren't the circumstances that she would have chosen, but for now, it would have to be enough.

"I will do what I can, Général O'Neill." Though her hand, fisted at her side, shook slightly, her voice was crystal calm.

[Omar]

Omar sat impassivley while O'Neill gave the briefing. For Omar, getting offworld was a treat. While he had been told by the Air Force that he was free to come and go, he was restricted to domestic travel only...and even then, under escort. It made him feel like the outsider he really was. He wondered if his teammates and the others in the SGC would ever trust him.

He looked around the room at his teammates: Major Hawke was a known quantity, and he knew he could trust him with his life. They had already fought together. The young Leutenant Weston was military and seemed to be the by-the-book type, despite the lapse in the dining hall. When Dr. Sierra opened her mouth though, Omar couldn't believe what came out.

She was smart enough and Omar had confided in her about his past and future plans. What she said however, gave him pause and he now questioned his confidence in her. His eyes narrowed in scorn. Does she even know what being part of a team means? Does she think that because she's a doctor, she's entitled to sit in a lab while we do the hard work? Omar had known other egg-heads who, when the time came, didn't question their duties.

Before his anger cascaded into an outburst, he took a deep breath and quickly calmed down. She's new to being a nova. She doesn't know her potential...she will adjust.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nodded. "At the very least our contact can speak to us as he's the one who game me their location and told both Omar and I of the situation on his world."

He looked over to Yesult and smiled. "You're here because the team needs you Doctor Sierra. The general's reasons are all sound, but the one that matters most to me is that you are a part of this team. We stand together."

He looked to Omar who seemed about to say something and shook his head slightly."

He looks back to O'Neil. "With your permission then General we will go prep our gear for departure, Sir."

[Mr Fox]

"Dismissed." The general watched the team go but kept the worry from showing on his face until after the last one had left the room. He hated missions like this. It had been one thing when he was the one going through to face the unknown and likely hostile forces, but sending others through was much harder. Maybe he would have to take the President up on that little offer he'd made a couple weeks ago during his visit, he could certainly use less stress in his life. He heaved a sigh as he walked back toward his office. In an hour SG23 would be in the field and that was it for the day. Other than check-in's there was nothing left for him to do but worry.

"Damnit, I'm tired of this." He grumbled as he walked back into his office. He gave the red phone a long hard look before picking up the receiver.

_________

An hour later the team had their issued weapons. This time around the armory had not issued P90's or any other form of rifle. Instead the team each received a zat, a sidearm, and a grenade. "Sorry sirs, and ma'am, general's orders, says it's best if you don't appear so threatening when you head through." The man smiled a friendly smile and added, "Don't worry though, those zat's are fully charged, as long as you don't get in prolonged firefights you should be fine, and the grenades are for extra punch in an emergency."

While the other three didn't particularly feel the loss of the P90, it had to seem a little unnatural for a seasoned veteran like Hawke to not have the familiar weight of the bigger weapon at his side. Those thoughts were interrupted as the team stood before the gate and heard Walter's familiar voice calling out from the booth. "Chevron One encoded... Chevron Two encoded, until the final one and then came the incredible onrush of energy that the specialists could feel in their guts as the wormhole coalesced.

They came out onto the surface of Neone during the world's night. The gate was in the center of a park like area in a very nearly modern city. The construction was a bit odd in style, but not so much that it would look out of place in some sections of New York or Chicago. The buildings were smaller however. There didn't appear to be any skyscrapers, only lower three to five story buildings. The teams arrival did not go completely unnoticed. A trio of uniformed men rapidly approached from the right of the stargate. There were street lights, so the park was well lit, but even without the artificial lights the two moons overhead would have been plenty.

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult shivered slightly, stepping out of the wormhole, the coolness of the passage affecting her. She looked around, taking in the odd architecture, just different enough to make the familiar seem strange. She had been expecting something... else for her second trip through the Stargate, though she couldn't have said what.

Seeing the three uniformed men heading their way, Yseult stepped a little closer to Ryan, wary of their intent. She patted herself down, refamiliarizing herself with where her various pieces of equipment were. Zat, sidearm, grenade (!), medical kit, and laptop with various adapters, all accounted for.

"We are talking first, yes?" Yseult asked her team leader, her voice low.

[Omar]

The zatt was a fearsome weapon, and Omar wondered how well he would withstand a blast from it. He'd already faced the powerful staff weapons and survived, but the neural overload from the zatt might just be too much for his Nova stamina to tolerate. Curiously, he wanted to know if he could withstand a hit from it, but not while in combat where the team's life was at stake.

The world they visited was foreign, but not something Omar was shocked by. The two moons were a welcome distraction, and one in which Omar had not had the the pleasure of seeing. Omar's journeys took him from alternate earths..all of which had one moon. Though the moons of Jupiter were a distant memory, he smiled at the similarity of being in such a foreign environment.

Omar moved towards the front, shielding Dr. Sierra from potential harm, but being sure not to block their leader from parlay with the strange suited soldiers. With luck, they were resistance fighters and would be able to give them valuable inteligence on troop strenghts and movements. If not, Omar planned to make quick work of them.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nodded. "Yes, that's generally preferred. To be safe though..." He nods to Noah and flicks his eyes to the left. Indicating for him to go and hide, using Omar's movements as a distraction.

Ryan nodded to Omar to ready his weapon as he did the same. He spoke carefully. "Evening gentlemen. Nice night isn't it?"

[Noah Weston]

Noah watched with elation as the gate blew outward then rippled back into place, becoming a shimmering wall of silvery liquid. That it wasn't really liquid didn't dawn on Noah as he stepped up to the gate. This would only be his second trip through the gate and his first mission.

An excited Noah stepped through the gate with and ended up standing in the park with the rest of the team. Noah had his Zat out but pointed at the ground as he became aware of the trio approaching. He'd wished the General had authorized the standard P90s, he felt naked being on mission without what he considered the proper tool but he didn't set the missions and he wasn't about to openly question O'Neil.

On the Major's mark, Noah let the Mammoth form of Omar block his line of sight to the men and instantly his chameleon effect flowed over him and his gear. Since the incident at the Alpha site the people in charge at the SGC demanded he push himself. They were right too as Noah could now use his 'enhancements' on his gear as well.

Quietly, Noah stalked around the far side of the gate, giving him both a cover and a perfect view from which to ambush the strangers if it came to that.

Click to reveal..

Stealth Roll

1d10=6, 1d10=8, 1d10=3, 1d10=9, 1d10=4, 1d10=1, 1d10=1, 1d10=6, 1d10=5, 1d10=7 Last Die Mega

4 Successes

[Omar]

Omar flashed a smile to the major and brought one of his fists up slightly to show his weapons were already out. If it was a matter of looking intimidating, Omar could do that as well. He puffed his chest out slightly and subtly changed his eufiber so that a little more flesh was exposed on his arms. He dropped the smile he showed the Major and replaced it with stern concentration.

Click to reveal.. ( Intimidation)

+ 3 die for Awe Inspiring.

(05:47:50) ChatBot: (Omar_Khudikias) rolls 10d10 and gets 6,6,7,9,10,10,6,8,8,7.

rerolling 10's for 'Imposing': (05:51:03) ChatBot: (Omar_Khudikias) rolls 2d10 and gets 1,9.

[8 sux]

[Mr Fox]

The three uniformed men rushed up. They were quite startled by the two men and one woman that waited, especially Omar. One of the men visibly swallowed and looked wide eyed at the big man, but the one in the middle stepped forward and spoke, "Good evening, we will need to see your papers and know where you come from and on what business you come by order of Minister Trofsky." Despite their initial hesitation due to the effect that the novas had on them, they recovered fairly well and seemed polite, but business like. Or at least their speaker did. The one man on the left still seemed pretty awed by you all, and the one on the right seemed calculating.

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult moved even closer to Ryan, unsure what to do. She ran her hand on the cool contours of the sheathed Zat, though she had no intention of drawing it. Unlike other long-term SG teams, SG-23 didn't have that instinctive ability to communicate their intentions subliminally.

All she could do, was do her best to follow Ryan's lead and hope he had a plan.

[Ryan Hawke]

"We don't have our papers. We were just on our way to see our friend and didn't think we'd need them. If you can let us go, peacably we'll be quick, and not cause you any further trouble.

Click to reveal..

Ryan's trying to talk their way out of this.

Man+subterfuge

(14:25:01) ChatBot: (Ryan_Hawke) rolls 7d10 and gets 6,5,4,8,5,10,2. 2 successes

[Mr Fox]

The man in the middle frowned, "No papers eh? Who is this friend so that we can verify your story please?"

[Ryan Hawke]

Seeing no option short of violence he sighed. "His name is Durma. He asked for our help, and we have come."

His hand didn't mover perceptibly to his zat, but he was ready to draw and fire, just as he knew Omar and Noah were.

[Mr Fox]

The man in the middle who appeared to be in charge didn't look to be familiar with Durma, but the man on the right got a very thoughtful look on his face then tapped his fellow on the shoulder. "I have heard of Durma, I think we should let these good people go about their business." He leaned in close and whispered something in the mans ear.

((Please make perception rolls to see if you can overhear, or post letting me know if you have some means like hyper enhanced hearing, or even just straight mega perception.))

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nods thankful that they'll be allowed to continue though he tries to be aware of what's said by the man who'd spoken.

Click to reveal..

Perception check

(15:04:01) ChatBot: (Ryan_Hawke) rolls 4d10 and gets 1,2,8,5.

1 success

[Yseult Sierra]

This Durma, hopefully he is not under suspicion.

Yseult surreptitiously moved her hand from the zat, and strained to hear what was being whispered between the officers, while keeping her face smooth. She was ready to focus her will to raise her telekinetic barrier.

Click to reveal..

Perception (Detail-Oriented) + Awareness = 5d10 + 1d10 = 6d10

1d10.hits(7)=0, 1d10.hits(7)=1, 1d10.hits(7)=0, 1d10.hits(7)=1, 1d10.hits(7)=1, 1d10.hits(7)=1 = 4 successes

[Omar]

Standing, with his face impassive, Omar tried to hear what was spoken.

Click to reveal.. ( perception)

(17:04:04) ChatBot: (Omar_Khudikias) rolls 5d10 and gets 9,5,4,9,6. [2 sux]

[Noah Weston]

From his hiding spot, Noah strained to hear the officers' whispered conversation

Click to reveal..

Perception

1d10=9, 1d10=5

1 Success

[Mr Fox]

((Yseult is the only one to hear what was said with any kind of accuracy. "I believe Lord Trofsky would want us to let these good people be on their way. If they are friends of Durma then they were with him serving the Goddess and may be on her business."))

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult tried to give her team an inconspicuous nod, indicating that everything was alright.

"Please sir, certain things have come to light, and we need to be on our way."

[Mr Fox]

The one in front nodded thoughtfully to the other man's whisper and said over his shoulder quietly, "I suppose you might be right. I will need to report their arrival, but we'll let them be about their business."

The other man pursed his lips as if in worry and said in the same low tone, "Are you sure that's wise sir? What if the Minister doesn't want their presence known? If you put it in a report anyone would know within an hour. But it's your decision sir do as you think best."

The other man considered a moment then shrugged. "You might be right. I'll take their names and report directly to the Minister, it might take me a couple days to get an appointment, but at least I will have done my duty."

Turning back to the team, "May I have your names citizens?" He got out a small note pad and a writing instrument and prepared to take names.

[Ryan Hawke]

"My name is Ryan, these are my colleagues, Yesult, and Omar." Ryan smiles triyng to be as polite as possible. He intentionally left Noah out, because chances were they'd never seen him.

[Mr Fox]

The fellow makes note of your names then closes his little tablet and puts it away. Frowning slightly he give you a slight bow of his head, the way in which he does it seems like a greeting. The other two men follow suit and they all turn to go. After a the trio get a few steps down the path the one that had spoke to his leader touched his arm and said something then hurries back to you.

"I am sorry I could not speak in front of the others. Seek Durma out at the college, but be careful, you have maybe two or three days before Trofsky finds out you arrived and he will be furious that you were not brought in for questioning. Durma is with the undergound but my companions do not know that yet. Tell him whatever the underground plans to do they had better do so soon or his name and mine will both go on the lists of seditious people and we will have to go into hiding the minute Trofsky finds out that we've kept you from him. I hope you are all worth it."

Before you could ask any questions he turned and trotted back to where his companions had stopped to wait a short distance away.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nods once and looks to the others. "We will."

To the group, "Keep your eyes open to for something akin to a place of learning." He holds a hand by his shoulder pointing discreetly which way they were heading and tapping twice, knowing Noah was watching, and thanks to some signals training would know that Ryan was saying they were headed that way, and for him to scout ahead.

He set off with the others, looking for a secluded place. "I want to find us somewhere we can get ontop of a roof with a good view. Perhaps from there we can see our destination."

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult arched a fine brow at her team leader. "Ryan, this is a modern city. Why do we not just look for a payphone or a public transit station. Phonebooks and bus stops often have maps for the surrounding areas, yes? Or we could ask for directions. Would not either be less conspicuous?"

[Omar]

Omar glances at Dr. Sierra. "I don't think that using public forms of communication would be wise. Hathor has probably bugged all the communication systems on the planet. As for public transportation, there may be agents running the cabs or busses or whatever. They could also be bugged."

He smiled at Dr. Sierra. "Besides, I don't think that busses run this late at night."

Omar took another look at the three fleeing men and shifted his eufiber to match their uniforms. "Now we can ask the locals for information without suspicion. I will be escorting an envoy for the 'goddess'" The word goddess came out in a snicker.

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult's lips tightened and her eyes narrowed at Omar's response.

"I did not suggest using the phone or public transit, Omar. The phonebook or transit station generally have maps, which would hopefully indicate the college. The way that one officer spoke, it seemed like there was only one college. The locals may find it odd that an officer is asking directions to it."

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan shrugs. "That could work too Yesult, though it would give us an address I don't know if it would give us a map of exactly how to get there. I'd prefer not to talk to anyone else from here until we find Durma. Asking for directions makes us stand out like tourists..." Omar's eufiber shifted and Ryan sighed.

"That will work well enough too, though there might be a few people who would wonder why a security agent doesn't know his way around."

"LEt's go find a phone boothe, and if that doesn't work I'll try topside recon, and only if that fails we'll break down and ask someone."

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult nodded at Ryan's command, then followed him and Omar out of the park area. She very carefully did not look for Noah, not wanting to give away his position with her peering about.

Once reaching the street, she turned her attention to looking for enclosures that could be a phonebooth or public transit stop. The beginning or end of phonebooks usually had maps, and some adds in the yellowpages also had illustrated directions; hopefully the equivalent here would be same. Transit stops also usually had maps indicating the routes taken; a college campus had a good chance of being on it.

[Omar]

"If anything, onlookers will think I am escorting a group of functionaries. It might prevent further qestioning by local forces." Omar had not thought that Dr. Sierra was thinking of maps. He cursed himself for his lack of faith in her.

Omar walked with confidence, his imposing figure staying at the major's side.

[Mr Fox]

It didn't take too long to find what must be a phone booth. It was cylinder about 2 feet in diameter and made of metal painted blue. About man height, a quarter of the surface was cut out to allow access to the interior which contained the phone device. The purpose was readily apparent, but it looked pretty primitive. In side was also a phone book in a drawer beneath the phone, it could slide out so that you can open it up and easily read it. The listings included three sets of numbers in seperate columns next to the names. No way to figure out addresses from that.

Thanks to a map in the back of the book however it is apparent that the University is quite close to your current location. Government buildings actually surround the large park that you arrived in, but about a quarter of a mile away down one of the major roads is Quardny College.

[Yseult Sierra]

"Ah, magnifique! This is exactly what we needed, yes?" Yseult's grin was full of complete validation, as she looked back and forth between Ryan and Omar. "We can pass through the edge of the park, and reach the boulevarde here," Her slender figure traced out their route on the map in the phonebook. "Then, we will almost be at this Quardny College. Other than your immense stature, Omar, we should not draw undue attention."

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nods, accepting the find. "That will work then." He gives the signal to follow them, and leads the team into city and towards the college.

[Omar]

Omar followed, his stately figure scanning the area for signs of possible danger. This sneaking about was making him anxious for combat. He also knew that eventually it would come.

[Mr Fox]

The trip to the university was uneventful. The visible trio did pass another patrol, but seeing Omar in uniform they just made gestures that might be salutes and that he mimicked in return and continued on their way without conversation. The main building was a grand edifice built in brick and stone with many smaller buildings taking up several blocks of the this boulevard. The plaque standing at street side did not say Quardny college however, it proclaimed, 'University of the People'.

At this time of night there was only one building showing any activity and that seemed to be two or three streets down. It had several people standing outside talking and light spilling out of most of it's windows. The building in question did not have a sign.