Episode Four - The Cult of Lillith

[Andrew McManus]

1205
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

Andrew McManus was second through the gate, just after Captain Oliver. The commanding officer of the newly commissioned off-world team, SM-2 stepped through next to him and matched his pace as they strode toward the DHD and away from the Stargate which closed behind them. He was thankful that the re-materializing process the wormhole had put him through seemed to have jarred his thoughts enough that he could focus on the mission at hand. Just before he left the Meropis gate room, Andy was all but ready to grab General Conway by the lapels, thrust him against the nearest wall and demand an answer. Why. Why had he been left. Why was there no rescue mission. Why did he have to manufacture an opportunity himself and why did he allow himself to break...

As he understood it, Oberon Dassos was their informant and guide on this one and this was officially the first off-world mission that Meropis had given the green light to. The need for it driven by the fact that Earth's fleet was desperately short of zero point modules. It seemed to Andy that since their joint escape from the Etruscan vessel, Oberon had been keeping a low profile in his guest quarters, happy to divulge only enough information to prepare this covert operation. He admired the man's style, hold some cards close to your chest for later on, good damn idea. Andrew had checked and re-checked his gear ahead while the team assembled back on Meropis and felt ready to go. The team were wearing the all black covert uniform and had equipped silencers to their weapons. As far as he could tell, SM-2 were there to assist Oberon in freeing his family from slave captivity and in return, would receive from him the location of a ZPM used in shrine which they would steal under cover of darkness.

Andrew and Oliver stopped at the DHD as Oberon and the rest of SM-2 fell in behind. The gate was within walking distance of some sort of city type settlement, and was wisely not left unguarded. A small contingent of warriors approached the group, armed with spears and complete with a banner-man. Andy was almost impressed by the welcoming party, he stepped aside to allow Oberon do the talking but kept a finger near the trigger of his silenced SA-80 rifle just in case it went pear shaped early. Once they got past the guards he could then do what he does best, disappear, while the commanding officer and Oberon did the talking... and the distracting. The soldiers drew near and came to an abrupt holt, Andy took a deep breath. Okay... Here we go...

<Tag Oberon and SM-2>

[John Callaghan]

1205
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

John had been in sickbay for a few weeks, recovering from the injury he sustained. While he was there, he was awarded the Bronze Star, and received his Purple Heart. The General also gave him an unofficial reprimand for disobeying the order to evacuate. Nonetheless, he was made CO of the Meropis Exploration Team Two, and was breveted to Major. While in Sickbay, he also received a gene therapy treatment._[1] The treatment was succesful, which meant that he could now operate Ancient devices such as the puddle jumper. He would have to ask his Number One to teach him to fly, though.

John and his Right hand man were briefed on the mission. Earth was short two Zero Point Modules, and it was their job to get one of them. A man named Oberon was supposed to know the location of their objective, and would trade this information only if SM-2 could free the man's family. It was a night-time operation, though. A stealth mission. Because of this, the team had donned their black uniforms, and attached silencers to their rifles.

After they got through the gate, John could see people with weapons approach them. The Major raised his HK-416 equipped with a holo sight and an M240 underslung grenade launcher, and of course the silencer. He whispered to his team,  "Okay people, weapons ready. Let's see if they're friendly. If not.... You know what to do".

Then he Set a few steps ahead of everyone, and faced the people, hoping they could understand him. "I am Major Callaghan, the Commanding Officer of Meropis Exploration Team Two. We come in peace. Lower your weapons, or we WILL fire upon you," the man said.

---

[1]: Steve and I discussed this on Skype, and agreed to have John have gene therapy in the time between the missions

[Ethan Francis Owens]

1205
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

Ethan had been taking some down time before the mission had started, He had been made apart of SM-2 during this time so had to come back from leave to take the assignment.Ethan like the rest of the team had been briefed on the mission at hand, this was a stealth mission to acquire a zero point module, a man named Oberon was accompanying them, on this mission offering the team information in return he wanted his family safe and sound.During his time off Ethan read books to just prepare him self for an assignment of this magnitude, the books he was reading were the books he read during his time with the British army's intelligence corps, he needed a bit of a refresher coarse before jumping back into active service again.

As he stepped through the gate his silenced SA-80, was held up in a response pose ready for anything.The rest of the team were next to him. When Ethan saw the people brandishing weapons and walking over to them he almost shot right there and then, "Understood Major" he said as he waited patiently for orders.This wasent his first off world mission but it was the first for the meropis expedition so ethan was exited.But the problem at hand right now was that the team had to judge weather or not these people were a threat or not.He looked at the major and the rest of the team ethan dident want this expedition to end in bloodshed but he knew it might have to if these people weren't friendlies.  

[Andrew McManus]

1207
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

Andrew followed his commanding officer's lead and kept his weapon at the ready. He really didn't want to gun down a host of lesser equipped soldiers carrying nothing but spears and shields, it was hardly a fair fight, but he would if it meant he didn't feel the cold steel tip of said spear piercing his hide. The Sergeant watched as Major Callaghan yelled out the commands. It was a fair shout, he thought, you lower yours we lower ours. Andrew watched as the archers in the group lowered their bows and the spear men adopted a less hostile position. Something about this welcoming party seemed very Roman Empire to him, long flowing cloaks, plated armor, it was like something out of a history book. Evidently, the ancients had seeded the foundations of common language and understanding here as well, as with almost every country back on Earth, these aliens seemed to understand most of what the Major was saying and heeded his warning.

He scanned the surroundings, the Stargate was in a clearing, the mid-day sun reflecting off the bright burnished gold of the Triangulum version of the device. McManus wondered if it was mid-day, Meropis time said it was around noon but the sun looked a little on the lower side here, either just approaching noon or the beginning of the afternoon. Ahead was the first signs of a settlement, large stone buildings set among the trees either side. Behind the Stargate the trees led up to a cliff edge, a large rocky outcrop, he noted the vantage point. One of the alien's bows wouldn't quite cut it but an SA-80 equipped with a scope, just like McManus carried, would give a good shot on anybody attempting to dial the gate. The welcome party came to a halt just short of the SM team and one of their representatives stepped forward. McManus hung back and watched Oberon step forward and speak something in a very fast paced alien language. The conversation was short lived and resulted in Oberon turning to the team with a smile on his face, "Come my friends! This way, I will show you to our accommodation. These soldiers represent the rightful rulers of Eros." The rightful rulers? Thought McManus. Those were meant to be the people who had enslaved Oberon's family and kept the ZPM as a shrine. He wasn't one for the diplomatic but understood that they needed to play the long game and gather intelligence before they could strike. Hanging back as the group moved forward, McManus whispered to Corporal Owens, a fellow Brit,
"If he tries to cross us... Shoot him." He knew he didn't have the rank to go calling shots like that but if Owens didn't do it McManus would. And he would aim for the knee caps first. He hate people who didn't keep to their word.

<Tag SM-2>

[John Callaghan]

1210
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

The Major watched as a man called Oberon stepped towards the welcoming committee, and had a conversation with them. The man returned after a few moments, and told the squad to follow him. John didn't trust the man, or those friends of his. Now was not the time to voice his concerns, though. They had a ZPM to find.

"Captain Oliver, I want you to stay behind to guard our exit. If anyone has seen a good vantage point, point them out now. The rest of us will follow these nice gentlemen here. Stay frosty. We may be walking into an ambush," the Major said. He XO complied, and was waiting for the group to leave.

Then, as he began following the strangers, the Major said "Koizumi, take point. McManus, you're Two-I-C for this mission. Now let's haul ass."

[Andrew McManus]

1219
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

Second in command for this mission? McManus was moving up in the world. He smirked, unseen by Captain Oliver who remained on guard duty at the gate with some of the spear-men who had also remained near the DHD. The scotsman fell in step behind Oberon and his welcoming party as they neared the settlement, less than half a mile from the Stargate. Ahead the road began to fill up with carts and wagons as various traders and merchants continued about their daily business. Above the trees that they began to pass, a palace loomed. Impressive looking for what appeared to be a roman-era civilization thought McManus. And that was the thing, appearance... The long brown cloaks of the soldiers they followed swayed in the wind with each step they took. Andrew caught a glimpse of something beneath the cloak, attached to one of the soldier's belts. It reflected a glint of sunlight, the cloak swished again, no doubt about it this time, something was there. He spotted some sort of handgun shaped advanced weapon. Okay... That really didn't tie in with the spears and bows outwardly displayed, something wasn't quite right here. Andrew shared a glance with Callaghan and Owens. They'd both clocked the hidden weaponry as well. He adjusted the grip on his rifle as they were led up toward the palace.


1231
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

They were led up the grand steps leading into the palace, the whole scene reminded McManus of the Chichen Itza back on Earth, he'd visited it on holiday once. Oberon was still a few paces ahead, and had been chatting in his native tongue to the welcome party, McManus was worried that they were being led into a trap when suddenly, his fears were nullified. The spear men who were stood at the doors to the building took a sharp step forward and pointed their weapons right at Oberon's throat. He seemed to be surprised by this and slowly rose his hands in the air, muttering another few harsh words in the native tongue. Unable to contain himself, McManus stepped forward,
"What's going on here fella's? We've business to attend to." he said through gritted teeth. One of the cloaked soldiers, he seemed to be their leader, addressed the team in a Spanish-esque accent, "Oberon has some unfinished business to attend to with us. You will be welcome inside to meet our holy leader, but you must first relinquish your weapons. We cannot allow you before our lords so armed." McManus slowly tilted his head back at the warrior, "One second..." he took a step back to confer with SM-2. Making sure they were out of earshot of the door guards, McManus looked toward the C.O for the next move. It appeared that Oberon had been taken prisoner and escorted inside, and what about the hidden weapons? He felt that these natives couldn't be trusted.

<Tag Callaghan, Owens and Koizumi>

[John Callaghan]

1219
Stargate
K3X-779, Eros
Triangulum Galaxy

The team left Captain Oliver, who proceeded to vantage point Sergeant Koizumi had pointed out. The two traded weapons. She was, after all, the designated marksman and thus carried a sniper rifle. The group then proceeded on, and Callaghan followed the group of natives to the village. He didn't trust the whole thing, and the situation was oddly similar to one he had been in when he was still with SG-21. The mission that would shock the entire team. He noticed the hidden weapons and looked Sergeant McManus in the eyes. He could see that he wasn't comfortable either. There was something about it. Not only the hidden weapons, but also the atmosphere. Like the population knew something that the team did not. The Major signalled for the team to keep an eye out. John lowered his hand to open his sidearm's holster, and to make sure it was loaded. The only other thing he could do was keep his rifle ready.

1231
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

The team got to the palace. It was a fairly nice thing. It actually reminded him a little of his parents' mansion. Callaghan climbed the stairs, and immediately raised his rifle when they got to the top, and the spears were pointed at them. He let the Sergeant take the lead on this one. The guards told them to relinquish their weapons while their contact was taken into custody. John got a bad vibe. This was just about the same thing that had happened during his worst mission.

A few years ago, SG-21 went on a mission to retrieve a rumoured weapon. The team made it to the rendez-vous with their native contact who led them to the place that held said weapon. The team had to relinquish their weapons, and after some deliberation the Major had decided to comply. This had turned out to be a grave mistake. They were crossed, and the Major had been shot. The team was captured. They managed to break out, though, and John had carried the boss three miles back to the gate. He had died holding off the natives that were swarming them from all sides. It wasn't until a few weeks later that they could retrieve his body.

gathered the team a fw steps back, and said to his team: "I don't like this. Those that have access to SG-21's mission reports will see the similarity with a mission last year. Let me recap it for those that don't have access. We went in to retrieve a weapon. Same thing happened, we were captured and the Major was killed covering our escape. I am not inclined to give them our weapons, but how about only two of us go in? Owens and Koizumi, you will stay here, and you better be ready for a quick exit. Stay in contact with McManus and me, and also with Captain Oliver. Okay, let's do this."

Then he turned to the native warriors, his weapons raised. "We will not relinquish our weapons, but we can agree to only Sergeant McManus and I getting in," the Major said with a stern look on his face. The natives could wreak havoc with their weapons, and he was not going to let them. They'd get his weapons over his dead body.

[Andrew McManus]

1234
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Tensions were high, the handing over of weapons and placing oneself at the mercy of an enemy was a sore subject on any planet. Andy listened to the plan pitched by John, it sounded good enough to him. Owens and Koizumi would stay at the top of the steps, mere feet away from the guards and secure them a safe escape route if needed. Andy and his commander would enter the palace. "We will not relinquish our weapons, but we can agree to only Sergeant McManus and I getting in,"
it seemed Callaghan had meant that first part as well. So far, things had not gone as planned, Oberon who was supposed to be their guide and had been captured by the natives, who had then demanded the team hand over their weapons before approaching their Lord. That was the story so far, but the objective remained the same, locate and extract the zero point module rumored to be on this planet. McManus wondered if helping Oberon was still on the table, he had expected to be greeted by a party treating him as their Prince after all.

The guards seemed to whisper to each other at Callaghan's... Offer. One of the guards then stormed inside, obviously not pleased. An awkward pause followed, two to three minutes of silence... McManus decided to break the tension with a tune, whistling 'auld lang syne' to himself, he abruptly stopped when Callaghan shot him a "not now" glance. The guard reappeared and approached SM-2 at speed, stopping short and standing to attention,
"The two of you may enter." Andy titled his head, waiting for the rest of the sentence... He looked to Callaghan again, is that it? With a shrug from the Scotsman, the two of them started toward the doors.

The great oak-like doors slammed shut behind them. Only the flame torches on the walls and pillars illuminating the way. The end of the hall could not be seen through the gloom, it was a long and narrow affair. One of the guards nudged McManus' lower back with the wooden bottom of his spear, McManus shot him a look and snarled,
"Do that again and I will show you what this thing I'm carrying does." Again, Callaghan shot him a warning look, with a few words of wisdom this time too, now was the time to tread carefully and play the game not to issue idle threats. It seemed as though they were about to meet the glorious leader of Eros and bargain with him. Did the freedom of Oberon await them, could they find out the location of the ZPM? Thoughts ran through Andy's head as they began the long march to the throne together, clutching at their weapons like a safety blanket.

<Tag Callaghan and our mystery guest!>

[Hinthial]

1235
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

The guards fell in either side of McManus and Callaghan, escorting them up the long hall. It didn't take long for them to approach the throne situated at the far end of the hall, it slowly appearing in the gloom of the fire lights. It all seemed to pan out in slow motion for the men, who had got this far with their weapons. Oberon was stood to the right of the throne, with two spears pushing into his neck, a look on his face that could only say 'I'm Sorry'. Either side of the throne stood two Etruscans warriors, to the horror of Callaghan and the anger of McManus. The great grey hulking beasts, with red sensors flashing on their skulls brought their energy weapons to bear on the two humans. John and Andrew's gaze then fell upon the throne chair, or more importantly, who was lounging on it.



A beautiful woman, long red hair, a bewitching gaze and magnificent dark robes sat clutching a glass of wine. A black bandanna adorned her head and a strange necklace reflected the torchlight from the fires. She sipped from the glass and gently placed it on the arm of the throne before leaning forward. She then became aware of a small dribble of wine from the corner of her mouth, smiling she slowly wiped it off, "Oops, silly me." The whole effect of which giving her a creepy, vampire-esque feel and making the hairs stand up on the back of the neck of the two men before her. She pushed her flowing her to one side then allowed her gaze to drift from one man to the other,
"Hello John... Hello Andrew... You wouldn't mind handing over those weapons now would you? There really is no need for us to be so hostile toward each other." She flashed a smile at them, enchanting them with her beauty. If it wasn't for the hulking Etruscan monsters stood either side of her, she might even be described as 'approachable'. "Oh, how rude of me, my name is Hinthial," she gestured to Oberon who was stood still as a statue, he had no choice after all, "Oberon here has unfortunately committed crimes against his own people, you'll have to allow us to take him to trial." Again there was that enchanting smile, innocent and sweet. She meant them no harm...

<Tag SM-2>

[John Callaghan]

1235
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Callaghan looked around the large room. When he saw Oberon with the spears in his neck, he immediately raised his rifle at them. The man had led them into a trap, but he was still the only person that could get the ZPM they needed.

Then they approached, and he saw a woman sitting in a high chair. She looked to be the one that was in charge, and for some reason she knew the Major and Sergeant's names. Then she asked them to hand over their weapons. It was difficult, but the Major resisted.

"Yeaah, no... You'll get my rifle from my dead body, and even then I'll put up a fight," the Major said as he bared his teeth.

The woman introduced herself, and told the pair that the Prince was to be tried for some crime he had committed. He could accept that the locals had their customs and whatnot, but he would not accept that they kill the man. The brass had made a promise, and the team had to fulfill this promise so that he would lead them to their objective.

[Andrew McManus]

1236
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Andy's breath became shallow, his pulse quickened, this was all too familiar, this was a trap. He glanced at the helpless Oberon, who was glancing back. That would be how she, this so called God, knew their names. From that small piece of information Andrew McManus could deduct two possible scenarios. Oberon knew this place was ruled by the Etruscans and had immediately bowed to his God, informed her of SM-2 and was then betrayed... Or, he had no idea and gave over their names in a desperate plea to prove his worth and save his own life. Either way, they were outgunned and about to be taken captive. Whatever movement he made next he had to make it count. His C.O laid down the law,
"Yeah, no... You'll get my rifle from my dead body, and even then I'll put up a fight."
"Damn it John." Andrew spoke out of turn. Next, three things happened before they were both shot.

Step one, a smile crept across the face of Hinthial, the words "so be it" escaped her poison ivy lips and she leaned back in the throne chair. Step two, Andrew desperately grasped at his radio and hit the button to open the channel with SM-2. No words escaped his mouth. Step three, Andy felt a paralyzing pain shooting through his entire body, emanating from his midsection and coursing up his spine and down to his finger tips. All he could manage to do was turn his body slightly toward the source of the pain, to see two of the grey great hulking beasts he recognized as his torturers from the Etruscan vessel, both of them were pointing some sort of alien side-arm at him. He had been stunned.


1324
Unknown Location
Presumably K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

He slowly opened his eyes, the dim light filtering in through the barred grating in the roof of the cell, were they underground? Then panic struck, Andrew jolted to and patted himself down. Weapons? Gone. Radio? Gone. Flack Jacket? Gone. At least they'd left his watch on, and it was now 1324, he'd been out cold for nearly an hour. He looked around the cell and then flopped down to a seated position. It was a small cell, walls on three sides and a huge barred metal grid on the other. At the back of the cell was Oberon, in shackles that held his arms and legs against the cell wall. Opposite where Andrew was slumped was John Callaghan, he was just coming to and by the look of it, equally unarmed. Finally, Andrew took a look outside the cell. No guards, and just a brick wall opposite them, presumably this was one of many cells along a corridor of sorts. He couldn't feel movement in the floor, that was good, they weren't back on an Etruscan Cruiser perhaps they were lucky and were still planet side. He turned back to his now-waking boss.
"Morning sunshine." He smiled, his Scottish accent putting a slightly cheery tone to his voice. Damn did his head ever hurt though.

<Tag John>

[John Callaghan]

1236
Erosian Palace
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy


The Major could see someone raising a weapon, and he quickly got two or three shots off before he was suddenly paralized, and he went unconscious.


1324
Unknown Location
Presumably K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Some time later, the Major slowly began to wake up. He had had such a weird dream. It was the year 2020, and he had a family with someone. On its own it wasn't that weird. The weird part was that said family was with one of his old teammates, a woman he liked. He never had the chance to tell her, though.

He slowly opened his eyes, only to see the Sergeant hulking over him. He looked at his watch, and saw that it was in the afternoon already. "Afternoon yourself, Sergeant," he said. He slowly stood up, and saw that he had been stripped of all equipment, armour and weapons. All weapons but one, the Major thought. He sat down on one knee, and moved his hand into his left boot. Moments later he produced a small knife.

He stood up again, and extended his arm to the Sergeant. "See if you can't break us out. We gotta pull a 'Prison Break' so we can get to our equipment and can contact the rest of the team. They have no idea they're walking into a trap if they try to get us," the Major said with a grim look on his face. This situation was too similar to his last mission as XO of SG-21. He'd be damned if he'd let it repeat itself, though.

[Andrew McManus]

1325
Unknown Location
Presumably K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Sergeant McManus hated the Etruscans, this was almost a living hell. He was leaning on the iron grating that held them within the confines of the small room and was contemplating his options. A quick glance to the back of the room confirmed Oberon was still there, giving both men an unreadable expression. He looked away with a sigh. McManus wasn't sure, was this the thanks he got for rescuing somebody or had Oberon really been double crossed? How could he not know that a so called 'God' had taken up residence back on his home world? The Sergeant's commanding officer came out with a surprise, producing a small knife from his boot and offering it to his soldier,
"See if you can't break us out. We gotta pull a 'Prison Break' so we can get to our equipment and can contact the rest of the team. They have no idea they're walking into a trap if they try to get us." A smile slowly spread across the Sergeant's face as he took the knife,
"God bless you, Sir." He quipped.



1331
Prison Cell
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

It wasn't long until their captors had decided to return to the cell to check on the three prisoners. Two of the great, grey hulking humanoid warriors came marching down the hall. Their heavy boot-steps echoing and heralding their approach. One of the pairs of foot steps stopped and was followed by a screeching of iron on concrete, the sound of one of the other cells opening. The other pair of boot steps continued, and grew louder. Down the hall there was a pleading following by a very loud, very pained scream. The boot steps stopped. McManus slowly glanced up, the knife in the palm of his right hand held deftly behind his back. The creature towered over them, small red lights flashing on his head piece, armor that looked seemingly impenetrable. The menacing looking laser weapon was held in both of it's large grey hands, it slung the weapon over one shoulder and retrieved a key from it's armor to unlock the cell. McManus looked down again.

The warrior stepped into the cell in between McManus and Callaghan who made eye contact with each other and exchanged a slight nod. The warrior took hold of it's weapon again and brought it up to aim at Oberon chained to the back wall. Oberon's eyes widened but he did not make a sound. Instead, his eyes flicked over to McManus, just for a split second. The beast had it's finger on the trigger but paused, it started to turn it's head.

"YOU SON OF A BI-" McManus screamed, the beast screamed and drowned out his war cry. He plunged the knife into it's neck, jiggling it around among the tight, leathery flesh, trying to find the alien's equivalent of the jugular. He had leaped up onto the warrior's back, one hand driving the blade home, the other arm around the warrior's chest. He wrapped his legs around the alien, trying to bring it down with his own body weight, the warrior merely staggered slightly as the struggle continued. The boot steps from down hall resumed, at a run this time, and accompanied by a blood lust scream.

<Tag Callaghan>

[John Callaghan]

1331
Prison Cell
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Callaghan looked at Oberon, the treacherous bastard, and then at the Sergeant. He nodded, and not long after, McManus jumped the alien that had entered their cell. The Major immediately grabbed the thing's rifle, and let the two of them continue their struggle while he raised the heavy weapon at the back wall. Oberon screamed in fear of being executed. Callaghan shot, and cut through the chains holding the prince captive. Then he turned around and fired at the aliens quickly rushing towards the quartet in the cell.

The rifle had quite a kickback, but it was nothing the Major couldn't handle. He would probably have a sore shoulder tomorrow, though. Callaghan quickly took the keys off the guard, and unlocked the celldoor while there was a lull in the shooting. "McManus. Kill that SOB and let's get outta here. We gotta find our gear, grab the ZPM and get the hell outta here. You with me!?" he asked the Sergeant.

[Andrew McManus]

1334
Prison Cell
K3X-779
Triangulum Galaxy

Blood pumping, adrenaline rushing, breath quickening,
"McManus. Kill that S.O.B and let's get outta here. We gotta find our gear, grab the ZPM and get the hell outta here. You with me!?"
Callaghan shouted as he fired the alien pulse rifle, the kick back making him flinch. The alien's body dropped to the floor in front of him, knife still stuck in it's throat. Andrew McManus had blood lust in his eyes. He looked to his right, Oberon had been shot free during the commotion. He looked to his left, the cell door was open. Suddenly, there was silence.

Andrew nodded to his C.O and carefully stepped over the two alien corpses. He picked up the pulse rifle the second alien had dropped, and glanced at the gaping, smoldering hole in the being's chest caused by Callaghan's shot. What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion, McManus placed one foot outside the cell, his boot slamming against the floor in the hallway, the impact seeming to echo down to the ascending stairs at the far end. At that precise moment, the alarm began to sound. A piercing klaxon that wailed over and over again every few seconds. More warriors would be on their way down to the cells now for sure, they must have rigged a sensor placed in the corridor to alert them if the prisoners escaped, a fail safe of sorts.

McManus turned and immediately brought the rifle to bear on Oberon's forehead. He pushed the muzzle of the alien gun up against the man's skin, point blank range. The action had caused Callaghan and Oberon to stop in their tracks, caught in the cell doorway as McManus stood exposed in the corridor. Callaghan shouted something at him, he didn't hear it. All he could hear was his heart beat, his blood pumping louder and louder. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek. Footsteps could be heard now above them, the sound of heavy boots pounding the surface. He'd squeezed the trigger slightly, not enough pressure to fire just yet... McManus' mind flashed back to the alien ship... He remembered the devices they used, how they got into his mind. He remembered the attempts to pair him with an Etruscan symbiote, he remembered fighting... He remembered there being no rescue... McManus lowered the gun and looked Oberon dead in the eyes,
"If you make one wrong move, I won't do you the honor of making your death quick." He said through gritted teeth, "Now show us where the damn energy source is!" The three men set off at a run toward the ascending staircase, the alarm deafening them as they moved, drowning out the screams of help from the other prisoners they passed.

<Tag John Callaghan>