Episode Four - The Cult of Lillith

[Shawn Booth]

1545
Hangar,
Alien Ship
Star System M1B

Shawn told the Doc to get to the hangar bay and after doing that he walks back into the hangar bay and takes out on of the F-302's. Shawn never flew one but it can't be that hard, one Marine injured in the backseat and most of Hawkins team MIA as far as I can tell, at least I know the civilians under my watch are accounted for, I know Hawkins and the other military personnel with him can take care of themselves as compared to the civilians who aren't as well trained especially in combat. Shawn made sure the F-302 he has isn't the Lieutenant Commanders F-302, instead he took one of the other pilots whose name he doesn't know. Shawn secured himself and the Marine was already secure and still knocked out. Shawn started the fighter up and left the hangar bay heading back to the Sun Tzu.

"This is Booth to the Sun Tzu, I repeat this is Booth to the Sun Tzu. I am on board one of the F-302's and heading back to you now with a unconscious Marine. The other civilians should be following behind soon. Am I cleared for landing?" Shawn says over the radio while flying back to the Sun Tzu.

<Tag Paul Riley Ryan Decker>

[Dylan Hawkins]

1545
Bridge,
Alien Ship
Star System M1B

The Commander understood. Through he didn't hear the complete message, he heard enough to make him want to get off as soon as possible. He clicked the radio, and said "Beam me up, Scotty" before a smile appeared on his face and slipping into unconsciousness again. He was out, and had lost a little blood.

On his way down he hit his head on the console and with a loud thump he hit the ground. He was at the mercy of the Sun Tzu's bridge crew now. He dreamd of being back home, relaxing in the garden of his parents' mansion, a glass of bourbon in one hand, and a cigar in the other on a warm summer evening. Life was good.

[Ryan Decker]

1549
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
System M1B

As they all got both excited and worried from objects leaving the hanger the radar signature and IFF tags came once they had just cleared the other vessel they were the 302s'. As they continued to wait for the 302s to land a transmission came through, tracking it was coming from inside the ship. alinging the asgard sensor to it he got a positive lock on a life form, but unusually it wasn't registering as human, however its broken transmission did that.

"Decker, see if you can take over the beams and get a lock on the source of that signal. Can we get Hawkins out of there?" The colonel was ordering him to take control, even if it didn't quite add up to one in words. "Yes sir... I've already isolated a life sign near the transmissions source... however... I can't confirm that particular one is the commander's.. and there appear to be some more closing on his position..." He locked the transported onto the life sign. "But if I got that life sign into the the ship I could confirm it's him before anything else would have a chance to do anything."

He inputted the second set of coordinates, an airlock far away from anything vital, as much as he hated it if he couldn't lock onto it again, and it wasn't commander Hawkins he could blow it out into space. But at that range his subcutaneous beacon would be clear of interference from the other ships interference.

"Beaming him now sir." The usual 'upward' moving white light engulfed commander Hawkins before it reversed and placed him inside an airlock. As soon as he materialised it was clear he was who Decker had rather guessed he was. As he then locked in his second set of coordinates he radioed the infirmly of incoming. After locking the 'pick up' coordinates onto his locator. Commander Hawkins was soon in the infirmary.

"Commander Hawkins' is now in the infirmary sir."
The Weapons officer said.

Major booth soon radioed for permission to land, the flight control officer responded. "Sun Tzu flight Control to Booth, you are cleared to land."

<TAG: Paul Riley, Dylan Hawkins, Shawn Booth, rest of peoples>

[Shawn Booth]

1549
Cockpit
F-302
System M1B

Shawn enjoys the comfortable ride in the F-302, fortunately with no enemy ships firing at him, enabling him to enjoy the ride and to get a feel for it. The fighter craft is way better than any F-18 or F-16 even better than a B-2, but Shawn likes the way the B-2's look, small and stealthy and pack one hell of a punch. Shawn hears the radio transmission from the flight control officer as he makes the short trip a success and lands and parks in the hangar on board the Sun Tzu. After parking Shawn removes his flight gear and opens the top as he hops out and gets on the radio. "Sun Tzu, its Booth, I need you to beam the Marine that is in the back of the F-302 I just flew in, to the infirmary, if possible." Shawn says as he unbuckles the Marine and waits for him to be beamed to the infirmary. Shawn also waits for the other F-302's to arrive with the civilians and anyone else that was over there.

<Tag: Paul Riley Dylan Hawkins Ryan Decker Dr. Roger Harrison>

[Paul Riley]

1554
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

The Colonel had been watching the latest events with a vested interest, it felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as the situation began to resolve itself.
"This is Booth to the Sun Tzu, I repeat this is Booth to the Sun Tzu. I am on board one of the F-302's and heading back to you now with a unconscious Marine. The other civilians should be following behind soon. Am I cleared for landing?" Major Booth came over the radio. He knew Shawn wasn't the most experienced pilot when it came to flying F-302's and preferred some of Earth's more terrestrial aircraft, but he was doing a great job under the circumstances. Paul watched as the fighters came in for a soft landing in the hanger bay. Paul stifled a laugh, Hawkins was definitely alive and kicking and the Star Trek reference over the radio hadn't gone un-noticed. He had to admire the man, even in the most horrific circumstances, about to be mauled to death by unspeakable alien creations, he managed to keep it together. He listened to the radio chatter as Hawkins was beamed over and then up to the infirmary, he knew that Doc Harrison would be there pronto to take care of the man.

Booth came over the radio again,
"Sun Tzu, its Booth, I need you to beam the Marine that is in the back of the F-302 I just flew in, to the infirmary, if possible."
Riley nodded to his left, giving the go ahead. He looked at the overhead display screen, the radiation had been identified which enabled the crew to track it. He noticed the reading levels were at about 80% now and still accumulating. He pushed the button on the side of his chair for the intercom,
"Crew, this is Colonel Riley. Suggesting any members of the away team who want to see this make their way to the bridge... I think we have about..." He looked at the screen again, "Five minutes before our alien vessel disappears. Riley out."
He sat back and looked at the main view window in front of him, the enormous alien vessel slowly rotating as the two ships orbited the barren planet below. A thought popped into his mind, why couldn't they just have a simple exploration mission where they walked away with some useful tech? Why did everything have to have some sort of... Catch? He sighed and sat back, ready to enjoy the show.

<Tag all the Sun-Tzu peoples!>

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

1554
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

Roger was heading towards the Gateroom to get the heck out of Dodge with his newfound device when the call came over the intercom.

Sun Tzu, its Booth, I need you to beam the Marine that is in the back of the F-302 I just flew in, to the infirmary, if possible. Roger let out a deep breath, and turned two. He headed in the opposite direction, towards the infirmary.

Doc to Bridge. Heading to infirmary, can someone pick up my group and make sure they get back to Bridge? Thank you. He would sacrifice himself for the others. Hawkins needed him, and he would be there. He entered the infirmary, and found his lab coat. In a quick hurry, he cleaned his hands, and went to the man.

Commander Hawkins, it's Doctor Harrison. You're going to be Ok. As he set to work on the man's wounds, he hoped like HELL his words would ring true. How he wished for a nurse to assist him; for now, it was just him, and he was going to do the best he could.

Tag:Sun Tzu!

[Ryan Decker]

1555
Bridge
BC-304 Sun tzu
Star System M1B

As booth landed the flight control officer had seemed more relaxed than before but, there was still a 302 or two left to land and they quickly followed the executive officer in. "All 302s have returned." The Flight control officer announced. 'Now that's better.' Decker thought to himself as yes indeed the ships sensors corroborated the officer story, all that was left was the alternate reality vessel. Though soon after all this booth radioed the bridge again.

"Sun Tzu, its Booth, I need you to beam the Marine that is in the back of the F-302 I just flew in, to the infirmary, if possible."

As fun as the beaming people all around he still had something to say about see the true power of the ships weapons, they were a mix of the most powerful nuclear warheads humans could come up with, rail guns some of the most effective projectile weapons out there and the most advanced weapons build by the Asgard, almost certainly the most or equal most advanced species out there and likely a close competitor with the Ancients.

Colon riley look towards the weapons officer and he'd already begun locking the sensor onto the marine and then a vacant spot in the infirmary. Ryan tapped his ear piece. "Bridge to infirmary, one more in bound via transporter." he terminated the transmission with another press before beaming the marine into the infirmary. "Beaming complete." He murmured not wanting to interrupt anyone's thought trains but to allow the few people immediately around him, the Colonel in particular to know the marine was now in the infirmary.

A few moments of quiet work went on another full sensor sweep and then the colonel's voice came over the intercom, it was weird even if the delay was only a fraction of a second it still messed with his head a little.

"Crew, this is Colonel Riley. Suggesting any members of the away team who want to see this make their way to the bridge... I think we have about... ..Five Minutes before our alien vessel disappears. Riley out."

Now that was an interesting thought, hopefully the ship wouldn't do anything untoward between now and then or as it 'jumped' realities, but to be on the safe side. "Should I re-raise shields?" He asked the colonel slightly turning his head in the mans direction as his hand hovered over the button to toggle shields.

<TAG: Sun Tzu crew, Paul Riley, Dr. Roger Harrison, Shawn Booth.>

[Paul Riley]

1601
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

"Should I re-raise shields?" Asked Decker.
"Good idea" replied Colonel Riley as more of the crew began assembling on the bridge. It was starting to get a little crowded but on this occasion the ship's commander didn't mind. When you had the opportunity such as they did to see the wonders of deep space, well, sometimes protocol had to be breached. He glanced up at the overhead monitors again, and at the screens Decker and the crew were manning. The jump was imminent. He decided a few words were appropriate and rose from his chair, turning to face the assembled crew. More people were squeezing their way in by the moment,
"Ladies and Gentleman..." He paused, tapping the earpiece again to bring up ship-wide intercom, that was better. "Ladies and Gentleman aboard the USS Sun Tzu, this is your commander Colonel Paul Riley speaking. Just under an hour ago we arrived here in star system M1B to investigate an unknown vessel. Our standing orders as you are all well aware remain as follows, Open and maintain diplomatic negotiations with other worlds... Obtain technologies to help defend Earth against the Goa'uld, Ori, Wraith and other aggressors. That includes the Etruscans." Riley paused, allowing his words to sink in, a touch of dramatic effect in play of course.
"We had hoped to obtain this alien vessel to aid our cause. A ship the sheer size of it with all of the technologies on board, god only knows what wonders it holds." He turned to stare at the view screen, the ship still slowly revolving in a match orbit with the Earth ship. "Sadly, our initial scans did not penetrate the ship's hull. It wasn't as uninhabited as we had hoped... The monsters the away team had described seeing aboard the ship. I can't even begin to sympathize with them... We didn't loose any men out there, but we suffered some injuries." He turned back to his crew, time to get to the point,
"In just a few short moments, this vessel will disappear. We've detected some unexpected energy spikes, the radiation levels tie in with those emitted from a reality drive. We don't know how or where these drives come from but the Atlantis expedition encountered them on two separate occasions. Evidently, whatever occurred on this vessel was so dangerous that a race from an alternate reality fitted this drive and set it to overload." He took a deep breath, turning back to the view screen and folding his hands behind his back, "Thank you all for your help. Don't let this knock you back. Our time will come again, we will find something out there and we will give the Etruscans the ass kicking they deserve! So, take a good look, it's not every day you see something like this. Regards, Riley." He tapped his earpiece, ending the transmission and awaited the ship's disappearing act.

<Tag all the Sun Tzu peoples!>

[Shawn Booth]

1600
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

Shawn leaves the F-302 bay and heads for the bridge to check in. Shawn knows the Marine and Lieutenant Commander will be fine in the Doctors hands, however that is the least of his worries. Shawn never encountered an alien spaceship and definitely not one from another reality. Shawn reaches the bridge and sees the bridge crew and the Colonel. "Never flew in a F-302 but Colonel that was fun. It's been awhile since I flew anything really..." Shawn says to the Colonel while looking out the front window.

Shawn listens to the Colonel as he speaks on the intercom all the while keeping his attention on the alien ship from another reality. This stargate program is pretty crazy, if you speak to any one about this outside the program they would think you're crazy, Shawn thinks to himself making sure he isn't going insane.

<Tag Paul Riley Ryan Decker Dylan Hawkins>

[Ryan Decker]

1602
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

As Colonel Riley agreed to Raising shields Decker quickly bressed the correct button which was it's own seperate one, always good to make sheilds a priority. The shield around the vessel was engaged, though Decker was hopeful the reasearch being put into the shilding they had been providided and those contained on the ancient city ships and vessels would allow them to be able to avoid that little problem of shields down just before and just after entering and exiting hyper space it left them rather vulnerable to anyone who was smart enough or advanced enough to notice. 

People were funneling into the brisge as per Riley's suggestion it was more than little cramped but atleast they weren't tryng to squeeze into the cock pit of a Hornet or 302, that would be quite problematic. The Colonel's speach was something to behold it recapped their last hour or so and then reminded them of the purpose they were out here in that particular Naquadah/Trinium alloy can and in that place, the end was probably the more relevent part, it seemed everywhere they went they found enemies, first the Goa'uld, then the Wraith, Ori and now the Etruscans. The Tau'ri run of bad luck and always finding these hostile groups had kept on.

The speach ended with a tap of Riley on the mans own earpiece. the power levels were rising perhaps a little quicker now. "60 Seconds until reality jump." Ryan spoke to everyone. He had checked the other unknown vessel it still hadn't moved but it was likely once it saw the other ship disapear and possibly the radiation. He also tentativly locked beam weapons onto the reality drive eqipped ship, just incase it fails to jump.

<TAG: Sun Tzu peoples.>

[Paul Riley]

1604
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

"60 Seconds until reality jump." Decker declared to the bridge. 60 seconds of near silence followed, the only sound was the subdued beeping of various pieces equipment on the bridge. Colonel Paul Riley took a deep sigh and reflected on his overall mission so far. They'd found the city, that was a huge success but almost nullified by the vicious new enemy, these "Gods" they had found shortly after finding the planet. They'd then found some new technology in the form of an Etruscan spy satellite but had been forced to destroy it. And now here they were, in front of the biggest ship Riley was sure that Earth had ever seen and it was full of horrors and about to slip away, not a damn thing they could do about it.

There was a general intake of breath and a few muffled gasps as the ship jumped realities. The mysterious vessel seemed to turn into a brilliant bright white light and then in a second it was gone. There was nothing. Empty space now occupied where the vessel was. Riley turned back to his crew with a smile, about to wish them all well on the short voyage back to Meropis orbit when he was interrupted by Major John Hunter sat at the console to the command chair's right.
"Sir, I'm detecting another vessel." Riley stopped in his tracks, what!? He turned back to the view screen,
"I can't see anything from this distance, what is it?"
"It's some sort of smaller vessel, potentially we didn't detect it as it was hidden from our sensors by the sheer size of the other ship..." Major Hunter said, not taking his attention off the monitors in front of him. He rapidly typed in a few more commands to try and narrow down the scanners,
"Sir! Incoming communication!"
Well, it never rained but it poured didn't it...
"On screen." Riley ordered and resumed his place in the command chair. First contact... Again.

<Tag Njord>

[Njord]

1604
Bridge
Starship Vanir
System M1B

Detecting 2 vessels close by, Njord wanted to check things out and find out if the vessels belonged to the Etruscans or another hostile alien race. Njord stands at his control console and powers up his shields as he notices one of the ships just disappear, after a bright white flash. The sensors sense the other ship slightly bigger than his own and also detects Asgard shields and weaponry on board but no Asgard life signs in the ship.

Njord powers up his weapons just in case they try to shoot at him although Njord knows he could destroy them, he also knows he may need their help. Njord opens up a channel to contact the ship, "This is Njord of the Vanir, identify yourself and intentions. Be advised I have my weapons powered up and will fire if you power your weapons." Njord says as he looks at the screen waiting to see what the other ship decides to do.

<Tag Paul Riley>

[Paul Riley]

1605
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

Colonel Riley studied the image on screen, he had to catch his breath and grip onto the seat tightly just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. That, was an Asgard. He noted the devices implanted on the Asgard's head and immediately realized that this wasn't one of the Milky Way Asgard that were now no more. The alien spoke,
"This is Njord of the Vanir, identify yourself and intentions. Be advised I have my weapons powered up and will fire if you power your weapons."
Riley froze and glanced sideways at Decker whose hands were hovering over the appropriate buttons. He raised his left hand to gesture a 'wait' signal. Riley gulped, this would have to be handled carefully. Who was this Njord in relation to the rest of the Asgard? He clicked the communicate button on the arm of his control chair,
"Njord of the Vanir. This Colonel Paul Riley of the Earth Ship Sun Tzu." He paused to gather his thoughts, the wrong sequence of words could ruin the opportunity presented here, "Our intentions were to investigate the vessel that has just jumped realities. Njord, please state your own intentions." He de-clicked the comms channel and turned to Decker, "How quickly can you power up our forward rail guns if needed? I doubt somehow that our Asgard beam weapons will be effective here." Of course! That was it Riley clicked the comms channel open once more,
"Njord from the Sun Tzu. You have permission to scan our ship. You may detect something that interests you."

<Tag Njord and the Sun Tzu crew!>

[Njord]

1605
Bridge
Starship Vanir
Star System M1B

Njord stood still looking at the screen and again noticing the Asgard weaponry and shields along with the hyperdrive engine and the Asgard computer core. Njord was up to date with everything happening within the Asgard race and within the High Council. Freyr was Njord's son and died with the Asgard with the mass suicide. Njord may have worked outside the Asgard society but he was one of the best Asgard scientists and an expert on the Asgard weapons and shielding systems. Njord also built himself an intergalactic hyperdrive engine. Njord believed and believes in the Asgard race and that he has to prolong the Asgard history and the race as a whole.

"I already scanned your vessel and detected many Asgard components on board. You have the ability and knowledge and vessel capable of assisting us. I know of the work you have accomplished with my brothers in the Milky Way Galaxy. Would you be willing to render assistance?" Njord asked while powering down weapons.

<Tag Paul Riley>

[Ryan Decker]

1606
Bridge
BC-304 Sun Tzu
Star System M1B

The ship jumped realities and soon a couple of warnings came up all over the weapons officers screen. He hesitated on powered the beam weapons, luckily the railguns against particular small and weakly and unsheilded ships the railguns were far more than effective, but there was something familar about the signatures from this vessel, very very similar.

Hunter had notified everyone before Decker got a word out, there was a quick discusion between the Major and Colonel Riley. Then a communication came in. "Sir his weapons... they're powered!" Decker called out as the communication just came in. Everyone was quite stunned when an Asgard came onto the screen, and quickly confimred the Flight Lieutenants readings. 

"This is Njord of the Vanir, identify yourself and intentions. Be advised I have my weapons powered up and will fire if you power your weapons." He wasn't sure what he ment by 'of the Vanir' however, the Atlantis expeditions encounter with some rogue Asgard came to his mind. 

Deckers hands were still over weapons keys, focusing in particular on the rail guns. Then the Colonel resonpded to the alien.

"Njord of the Vanir. This Colonel Paul Riley of the Earth Ship Sun Tzu." Riley Paused. "Our intentions were to investigate the vessel that has just jumped realities. Njord, please state your own intentions." The ships Commanding officer finished off.

"How quickly can you power up our forward rail guns if needed? I doubt somehow that our Asgard beam weapons will be effective here." The Colonel asked. Decker looked to him. "All I'd need is a few seconds to target them properly and they would be ready, however... sir could the Vanir be that other group of Asgard the Atlantis expedition met a couple years back... if so, the beams may yet be effective." Decker reaplied still holding his hands over the weapons console. 

Then an idea seem to voertake the Colonel. "Njord from the Sun Tzu. You have permission to scan our ship. You may detect something that interests you." Riley spoke after reopening communications. 

The asgard quickly replied. "I already scanned your vessel and detected many Asgard components on board. You have the ability and knowledge and vessel capable of assisting us. I know of the work you have accomplished with my brothers in the Milky Way Galaxy. Would you be willing to render assistance?" 

Decker studied his senors carefully. "Sir, his weapons appear to be powering down, his shields are still up as are ours.  however... sir... ask him about that Atlantis incident... if he is one of them or otherwise with them... we should be extra careful... it will also be safe to assume beaming nukes into his ship wont be possible... he might understand the beaming technology, and our shields better than we do. I believe he has us at a disadvantage." The weapons officer said adding his opinion.

<TAG: Sun Tzu bridge crew, Paul Riley, Shawn Booth, And Njord>