SM-1 Episode 5 - "The Enemy Within"

[Plot Twist]

Unknown Time
Unknown Location
Iraq
Earth

Daniel started to wake up and immediately clutched his throbbing head and felt a fresh bandage behind his hair. His mind was swimming with visions of a fireball and a jolt of searing pain before all had turned to black. What had happened? Where was he? What about the tablets? What about the Cult of Lillith? Oh...

He could tell he wasn't too badly injured as he slowly sat up, forcing his eyes open he realized the room itself was dark. So, he was indoors somewhere, possibly underground by the feel of the cool air around him. He listened intently and heard rustling and a murmur of French - the rest of SM-1 were here too. He could hear murmurs above him, Arabic, it reminded him where they were at least. Daniel had to shield his eyes as a figure entered the room and turned on the light, a single bulb hanging above them illuminated the gloomy, empty cellar the team had found themselves in. Four men filtered into the room and stood in front of the them. Daniel noticed they weren't armed, and he wasn't bound or gagged either. Turning to his right he spotted Major Eastlyn, Maggie and Zachary Acker but no sign of Ahrima, Pandora or Dominic. The whole scenario was starting to look a little better by the moment but Daniel didn't dare make any assumptions.

The uneven light made it hard to read the men's facial expressions. Still sat on the floor, Daniel exchanged eye contact with Major Eastlyn before testing his voice,
"Aih elly hassal?"
"Your group was attacked. Insurgents, you would call them. We were nearby and pulled you from your vehicle moments before they could capture you." One of the men replied in English. Daniel had to contain his surprise and distrust,
"Shukran - thank you."
"Mafi mushkillah - no problem." Daniel looked around the room, it was night outside he could tell. A few bullet holes in the upper part of the wall seemed to give a limited of view of the street outside. The room was quite sparse and smelled faintly of goat. There was a fruit bowl and some unlit candles but not much else besides. The four men appeared to be waiting for somebody, Daniel noticed one of them shift a glance up the short flight of stairs to the doorway they had entered from. He decided to probe further,
"Are we still in Baghdad?"
"Not quite." The same man simply replied in thick Arabic overtones. Helpful, thought Daniel. A young maid entered the room carrying a tray of steaming mugs. Daniel graciously accepted a black tea before she moved to offer the drinks to the rest of the team, bowing as she did so. Daniel froze, almost spilling the tea over himself,
"Tariq!" He remembered.
"I regret to say that there was little left of him to be found." Replied the man, his words laden with the burden of loss. Daniel's gaze slowly drifted from his tea to the man stood in front of him. He then turned his gaze back over to the Major. These people recognized Tariq's name...

<Tag Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn and Maggie Lefebvre>

[Dominic Evans]

0630
Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

It had been about fifteen hours since the attack. Under strict orders to protect their cargo, Evans and Ahrima had to evacuate Doctor Banks back to the Joint Air Base in Balad. Evans had gotten very little sleep and had kicked up a fuss with some senior officers to allow him to lead a team back out to the location at first light. The Army had evidently had a rough night, trying to contain four different explosions that had all seemingly happened at the same time. He was silently thankful that Ahrima had been with him every step of the way.

Captain Dominic Evans stepped out of the Humvee just short of the wreckage, some of it still smoking from the previous day, obscuring the first rays of light seeping over the horizon as daybreak approached. During the night, a vanguard of marines had locked down the Museum area, carried out a med-evac of the vanguard troops and secured the scene. Among the wreckage were the bodies of several insurgents, with SM-1 nowhere to be found. Evans and Ahrima started to retrace their steps from yesterday, scouring the ground for any clues or signs that might lead them to their team.

"The early word is that the locals aren't talking." Evans said to Ahrima, "We had one of our translators go door to door. If they do know anything, they're keeping it to themselves." He kicked a scorched car tire out of the way, "I put in a call to Colorado while we were back on base to update them. I figure if they can get the General Hammond or the Odyssey back in orbit, we can try to find their locator beacons." He hoped. Evans rubbed the back of his neck and stared up at the Museum. Speaking aloud he continued,
"If Jackson's really dead this time, I think our chances of figuring out how to stop this cult going global just went up in smoke as well."

<Tag Ahrima>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

Unknown Time
Unknown Location
Somewhere on Earth

Maggie's head HURT. Not like her usual I'm-exhausted-from-pretending-I'm-stupid hurt, but actual, "I've been hit in the head with the butt-end of a gun" hurt. It was like that time that she had hit the phone pole at Quantico that one time. 80 MPH behind her old Karmann Ghia roadster hadn't been one of her better ideas, especially combined with the telephone ringing. She hadn't been SERIOUSLY injured, luckily, but she had had a nifty little goosegg on her head from where she'd made face to wheel contact with the steering console. She had met a really hot MP, though, so that had it made it a little bit worthwhile. She smiled a little. Nate had been SO cute...and a fun little fling during her recovery. Now, though, she didn't feel quite so flirty. Just a bit naseous.

She opened her right eye, and then her left. Where the HELL was she? This looked like a CIA safehouse. She had been in one, in Morocco, with Mike. There was a long table, with a fruit bowl-interesting choice for a bunch of men-and a few unlit candles. It smelled like a barn, and she could FEEL the grease in her hair starting to form. Suddenly, she remembered. The Stargate people. Yeah. This was an even WORSE idea than speeding in a sports car on a Marine Corps base. Here she was, several hours in and already FUBARed. Lovely.

She glanced sideways. Dr. Jackson was there, and that Eastlyn woman. She exchanged glances with both of them. She could totally just flash someone and distract them long enough for Chicago to shoot her way out, but Maggie had a feeling that might not work out that well. She knew that the SG people were a little less tolerant of Maggie's form of flattery than most, even the Americans. She wasn't handcuffed anymore, so she moved her arms a little. She was unscathed, besides her throbbing head. Good.

Dr. Jackson spoke.

Aih elly hassal?...Shukran - thank you Maggie wasn't totally sure it was a great idea to let the American do the talking, but it was probably better than her or Chicago, being that they were both females. Maggie tried to remember her country's relations with Iraq...it WAS decent, right?! Why didn't she pay more attention to the news?! Mostly because it bored her, but it was also SUPER depressing.

One of the kidnappers replied.

Your group was attacked. Insurgents, you would call them. We were nearby and pulled you from your vehicle moments before they could capture you...Mafi mushkillah - no problem...Not quite. Maggie fought the urge to roll her eyes. Sure, they were nearby...she didn't believe it even as far as she could throw the man. A young woman appeared, carrying a tray with steaming mugs of something that smelled oddly. Herbal tea of some sort. Her stomach wretched..she hadn't eaten in about 22 hours, and the last thing she wanted was TEA. But she took some, because she felt the eyes of her new bosslady staring at her. What? Was her blouse unbuttoned or soemthing? If it were, it wasn't on purpose, for once.

She glanced down. Nope. So then, she was meant to behave. Fine. Maggie took a mug, and smiled, thanking the woman in loud French.

Merci. Je suis puis avoir un peu de sucre?.. She blinked, and then tried English. Whoops. I meant...may I please have a cube of sugar? Some cream would be magnifique, as well. She glanced around. Hopefully she hadn't made TOO big of an error. She smiled brilliantly, taking back on the role of pretty little dense French girl. If it's not too big of a problem, that is. She smiled sweetly.

Tag:@danieljackson, Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn

[Ahrima]

0630
Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

Ahrima was hardly surprised by Captain Evans' passion about finding his team. She had learned that many of the Tau'ri held their colleagues in great personal regard. It was easily concerned by the number of times as well as the vigor in Dominic's voice as he spoke to his superiors and attempted to gain access to more men in order to search for their missing comrades. However, the military took their time by Ahrima's estimation. More than fifteen hours had passed before they returned to the scene of the assault. Were this any other planet, their captors likely could have easily fled and been anywhere by now. Though, considering they used only resources from this planet for their assault, it was logical to conclude that the rest of SM-1 and Daniel Jackson were still somewhere on Earth. Now, all that was left was to find them.

Exiting the humvee from the passenger side, Ahrima's hand instinctively rose to the headband she wore to conceal her tattoo, to make certain that it was still in place. It had been pointed out a serious concern by what Captain and the others may have referred to as 'upper brass,' or something of that nature. On some level, Ahrima was considering the notion of having the mark surgically removed, but while she hated what it originally stood for, it was still a part of who she was.

"The early word is that the locals aren't talking. We had one of our translators go door to door. If they do know anything, they're keeping it to themselves. I put in a call to Colorado while we were back on base to update them. I figure if they can get the General Hammond or the Odyssey back in orbit, we can try to find their locator beacons. If Jackson's really dead this time, I think our chances of figuring out how to stop this cult going global just went up in smoke as well."

"If the objective of our assailants was to kill Daniel Jackson," Ahrima began, "it would have been more efficient for him to meet a fate similar to Tariq's." While her statement may have been accurate, it may have come off a bit callous to ears not used to the Jaffa's words. "I believe instead they seek information. Daniel Jackson is believed to be in possession of a very select intelligence. And while soldiers, Major Eastlyn and Lieutenant LeFebrve were likely taken as a means of... persuasion for Doctor Daniel Jackson." Ahrima didn't come out and say it, but it was easily possible that if Daniel wouldn't be forthcoming when asked 'nicely' that the torture of the ladies could be used to loosen his lips as the Tau'ri said.

Ahrima's eyes moved around the area. While most people seemed to escape inside the confines of their homes and places of work, there was at least one gentlemen that seemed keen on observing the soldiers in the area. "Captain Evans?" said Ahrima. She carefully nodded in the direction of the man that was watching the scene. "Perhaps your translator simply hasn't asked the right people." And no sooner had the last word left her lips that the young man's eyes fell upon Dominic and Ahrima. Feeling discovered, he began to retreat deeper in the alley. He was going to run.

<TAG: Dominic Evans>

[Dominic Evans]

0632
Outside Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

Captain Evans stood with arms folded, examining the scene presented before him. Ahrima, ever alert, spoke at a volume designed for only him to hear,
"If the objective of our assailants was to kill Daniel Jackson, it would have been more efficient for him to meet a fate similar to Tariq's. I believe instead they seek information. Daniel Jackson is believed to be in possession of a very select intelligence. And while soldiers, Major Eastlyn and Lieutenant LeFebrve were likely taken as a means of... persuasion for Doctor Daniel Jackson." Well he couldn't argue with that logic. Going on that, it still meant there had to hurry. If the assailants had taken Jackson with the intention of extracting knowledge from him, it was likely they would dispose of Eastlyn and LeFebrve first. He made a noise to himself, a concentrated effort to pick something, just one lead, anything from the carnage in front of them. Ahrima got there first.

"Captain Evans? Perhaps your translator simply hasn't asked the right people." Ahrima nodded to the cloaked figure in the shadows surveying the scene. In a moment that seemed like it lasted an hour, the man's eyes drifted from their vehicle to meet Captain Evans' gaze. He'd been made. The man turned his back on the duo and stepped into the shadows of a narrow alley before breaking into a light jog. Evans gave chase. The light jog turned into a run, Evans signaled for to Ahrima go around the building to the right. He thought he'd lost sight of the individual until he reached the entrance to the alleyway and saw that the man had darted in and out of various obstacles, old market stalls and large trash cans. The man darted into an opening to his right, another alley. Evans turned the corner to see that the mysterious figure had stopped dead in his tracks, a Jaffa was blocking his way. He warily turned back to see Captain Evans slowly walking toward him and conceded defeat to the pair.

The male was wrapped in a dark hooded cloak, he lowered the hood and bowed gently to both of them. Evans' brow furrowed and he exchanged a quick glance with Ahrima. The man spoke with an American accent,
"Sorry for being so secretive. I couldn't risk us meeting in the open."
"Whoah, whoah, let's start off slowly huh chief? We aren't 'friends' yet. What do you know about my people?" Dominic asked the stranger.
"I know that they are safe and well. I know where they are, and I know how to contact them." The male went to reach into his cloak, Evans quickly placed his hand on his own side-arm prompting the man to raise his hands.
"Please, I mean you no harm, allow me to show you..." Keeping his hand over the hostler of his M9, Evans nodded. The stranger slowly reached into his cloak and withdrew a dusty looking handheld radio, it crackled with static. The stranger pushed the talk button much to Evans and Ahrima's distrust.
"This is Hart. I am with the others. Please transmit." Before Evans could snatch the damn radio and punch the stranger in the face, Mr. Hart thrust the radio outward. Much to the duo's surprise, a familiar voice transmitted through.
"This is Doctor Daniel Jackson, calling any coalition forces who can hear me. Particularly Captain Dominic Evans and First Lieutenant Ahrima. Do you receive?"

<Tag Ahrima and Liam Hart>

[Jason Conway]

0623
Unknown Location
Iraq
Earth

"Merci. Je suis puis avoir un peu de sucre?" Ah, Maggie was coming around. "Whoops. I meant...may I please have a cube of sugar? Some cream would be magnifique, as well. If it's not too big of a problem, that is." She had certainly caught the attention of their... Hosts? The man simply smiled and gestured for the maid to fetch some cream, she hurried off.
"The time is just past six twenty in the morning. You took quite the head injury and slept well through the night." He said as warmly as he possibly could to the team.
"What do you plan to do with us?" Daniel Jackson asked the obvious question on behalf of the other three.
"That is your choice." The speaker replied. One of the other men made a comment in Egyptian Arabic, Jackson quickly translated it as something about standing watch. The speaker gestured and the three men left through the splintered door frame and out into the flickering light of the room beyond. The maid returned to the room and presented Maggie with her pot of cream and two cubes of sugar, with a slight bow she quickly scurried off. The man gestured to some chairs across the room, "Please."

Daniel got stiffly to his feet, thankful he was still wearing his boots. He carried his mug of tea over to the table and gingerly took up a chair, the others followed suit. Before Daniel could ask, the man provided his name,
"I am Baqir Abdel Harim."
"Servant of the wise," Daniel translated. Baqir nodded with a smile and took a seat with the team. The chair creaked against the silence of the morning, cool air flickered the candle on the table. Jackson suddenly realized that they were far from the hustle and bustle of one of Iraq's major cities.
"This has always been a dangerous area," Baqir explained, "Militia activity is increasing. We had been keeping watch over Tariq to prevent against incidents occurring under what your people call fog of war. Be assured Doctor Jackson, Tariq dedicated his life guarding a heritage that will one day save us from a far greater evil than that which besets this country." 
The hackles went up on the back of Daniel's neck. He made deliberate eye contact with Major Eastlyn before carefully setting down his tea,
"Would you mind telling me how you know my name?"
"We have been following your work for some years," Baqir said with a smile, "That is, until you vanished some years ago with not even a paper to your name. I wondered if you had perhaps found the proof you once sought, then I discovered that you were leading a rather reclusive life in Colorado Springs, far from your life's work." Nothing that a bit of research on the internet could detail, Daniel chose not to answer directly,
"And what is it you want from us?"
"I believe this is more a matter of us being able to help each other. Four years ago certain artifacts from the Museum were entrusted to me and my companions for protection. Among those artifacts was the original Sumerian King List along with a set of vellum scrolls that have yet to be officially translated." Daniel now realized that this meeting was no co-incidence, those were among the list of items Daniel had passed to Tariq yesterday back at the Museum, "We have been charged to hold the secrets of those scrolls fast, until the Final Days were upon us. Now, the time has come for us to reveal our hand." Daniel met Baqir's gaze over the rims of his teacup. All this tying in with the sudden emergence of the Cult of Lillith? Just who were they dealing with here, and exactly WHAT was written on those scrolls

<Tag Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn and Maggie Lefebvre>

[Liam Hart]

0635
Outside Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

Special Agent Liam Hart has been an OSI operative for quite some time now and experienced a lot in his years of tactical and law enforcement career, yet none of it was ever like this. Liam never even believed aliens to be real or at least unaware of Earth until he found out everything there is to know about Stargate Command and the Stargate. That opened a lot of doors that Liam needed to get used to quick to stay 3 steps ahead of anyone trying to use it for illegal purposes, such the mission of Air Force Office of Special Investigations. However his mission has been different for the last little while and Iraq became his home.

Liam knows of all SGC missions even the ones that are deemed classified even from other members of the SGC. Liam heard of the events that unfolded and gained intelligence, the only intelligence anyone from the US would be able to gather. Liam has personally been tracking down these cases before anyone else knew about it and especially before SM-1. Liam played like a spy and didn't want to be seen hanging around a coalition of US forces. His mission was secret and that was the way it had to be stay.

He ran off and tested the Jaffa and the Captain as he brought them to a secluded area that he deemed safe and sound for the time being anyway. Liam knew what he was doing and knew all about these two as they surrounded him. Liam stopped acting all cloak and dagger. Liam and the Captain spoke before handing him the radio to which Doctor Jackson was on the other side after the Doctor spoke, Liam told them what he knew, well a brief introduction anyway. 

"I am Special Agent Liam Hart, US Air Force Office of Special Investigations. I've been assigned to the SGC and for a while now and I was assigned here. We have a serious problem on our hands that is more imminent and dangerous than any mission before. The Cult of Lillith are like the Goa'uld, they are Wraith hybrids but there is a Tok'ra like version of them called the Ninlil that are mostly hybrids as well but they feed on animals instead of people. I have been working with the Ninlil who are good people and good friends, however the Lillith are going to be activating a global virus, the 'awakening' and that will be the end to humanity as we know it. It seems the Lillith know of the SGC and are trying to take us out before we can take them out, we can't let this happen. Let's go retrieve the rest of your team and Doctor Jackson then we need to get to work.



<Tag: Ahrima Dominic Evans>

[Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn]

0624
Unknown Location
Iraq
Earth

At least it seemed Maggie was willing to behave...for the moment. Thank god for small favours. Roo sipped on her tea, keeping it black (shudder) in the hopes that it might take her attention away from the throbbing in her head. "The time is just past six twenty in the morning. You took quite the head injury and slept well through the night." It was morning already? Daniel's voice interrupted her train of thought. What do you plan to do with us?" Chicago looked across at the man Daniel was speaking with, trying to gauge anything that might show on his face, but it garnered nothing useful when the man simply replied that it was up to them, and then offered them seats.

Oh thank goodness. After the events of earlier toda- ...yesterday..being on the floor so long had taken its toll. When they got back, Roo was going to find the comfiest bed known to human kind and pass out on it for a week. But, there was no time for mattress daydreams now, so Chicago pushed herself up off the floor - trying to smother a wince or two as muscles protested - and sat herself on a chair.

Using her free hand to attempt to push her hair out of her face as Daniel and the man they now knew as Baqir continued to speak, Chicago realised her braid had ceased to be and in its place was her long raven hair a mass of tangles and knots. She huffed quietly and placed her teacup on the table, and started trying to pull her fingers through her hair in an attempt to make herself look a little less like a wild woman and a little more like an Air Force Major while she listened to the conversation.

Her hands halted instantly and her eyes snapped up to meet Jackson's when Baqir addressed him by name. What the hell? Chicago shifted in her chair, partly because it was sort of uncomfortable and partly because she really wanted to get the hell out of here. Wherever here actually was, the major had no idea. Would Evans and Ahrima figure out where they were? Not that Roo didn't think that herself, Maggie and Daniel were incapable of getting themselves out, but it was still comforting to know people were looking for you. At least she knew that much - Evans would never leave them behind.

Roo turned herself to face Baqir a little more as he finished speaking. Final Days? They had known the Cult was getting geared up to get a whole lot worse than the awful crap that was already happening - that's why they were all out here in the first place anyway, right? To find a way to stop it all? She didn't know about anyone else but this all seemed a little too creepily coincidental for her liking. Roo gave Jackson a grim look pretty much summing up her feeling about the entire mission so far, before returning her attention back to Bariq and speaking up for the first time since he and Daniel had started their exchange. "So...what do you need us to do?"

<Tag: Jason Conway and Maggie Lefebvre>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

0624
Unknown Location
Iraq
Earth

Maggie was a TINY bit frustrated. SHE had the PERFECT way of solving this...if Eastlyn and Evans would let her, she'd just flirt with the captors. It's always worked for her before, anyway, especially with the army types. At least, anytime that Mike had invited her along to help HIM fight crime, it had worked. Though usually, in those cases, she had lacy dresses, high heels and the safety of large, imposing American CIA agents to help.

She sipped her tea, a show of cooperation more than anything because it was more disgusting than even British tea, which was usually served with milk and sugar. Why did the Brits really have to complicate things that were really quite simple?! She had NO idea.

Like Chicago, she looked up suddenly when the lead captor, Baqir, addressed Dr. Jackson by name. So they were....best friends with these people now?! This was crazy, even worse than Bertrand and his penchant for danger. Bert was her RIO, and her closest male friend....who was only a friend because she couldn't sleep with him, because he batted for the team, sadly. She tuned her ears to the conversation.

We have been following your work for some years...That is, until you vanished some years ago with not even a paper to your name. I wondered if you had perhaps found the proof you once sought, then I discovered that you were leading a rather reclusive life in Colorado Springs, far from your life's work. I believe this is more a matter of us being able to help each other. Four years ago certain artifacts from the Museum were entrusted to me and my companions for protection. Among those artifacts was the original Sumerian King List along with a set of vellum scrolls that have yet to be officially translated. Maggie gave a pointed look to Daniel and Chicago. What the hell was a vellum scroll and what did it have to do with HER??

e have been charged to hold the secrets of those scrolls fast, until the Final Days were upon us. Now, the time has come for us to reveal our hand Damn Skippy they'd better. Didn't they realize that one Margurite LeFebvre was armed and dangerous? Ok, so she wasn't ARMED, per se, but she was most certainly dangerous, at least to the menfolk. She raised an eyebrow as Chicago spoke, basically voicing her thoughts.

So...what do you need us to do? Maggie made a face. WHY were they negotiating with these...people? Maggie raised an eyebrow.

So you're the servant of the Wise? Well, you'd be wise to let a French person go, because last time I checked, we sort of won the war with Algeria. Once upon a time, Algeria had been a French territory, and they had gone to war with the Iraqis over land, and while Maggie had been a child, she heard the horror stories...they had basically fought terror with terror, laying land mines, car bombs and grenade attacks. The Algerians had smartened up and allied with France, but to this day, Maggie was PRETTY sure that Iraq was still kinda pissed.

Tag:Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Jason Conway.

(SO I think Maggie just made a faux pas...someone save her! Please??)

[Jason Conway]

0628-0632
Bariq's Hideout
Ramadi
Iraq
Earth

"So... What do you need us to do?" Major Eastlyn asked Bariq after his reveal about the 'secret' he and his companion had been guarding. Before he could answer, Maggie found her voice.
"So you're the servant of the Wise? Well, you'd be wise to let a French person go, because last time I checked, we sort of won the war with Algeria." Daniel Jackson raised an eyebrow at her accusingly. Bariq didn't even flinch, without missing a beat he replied,
"Of course, you are free to go at any time mademoiselle. However, you would be wise to listen to what I and the other followers of Ninlil have to say. There is a war coming that you cannot 'sort of' win on your own, no matter how patriotic you may think you are. The end of days will be upon us."
Daniel uneasily leaned back in his chair and met Bariq with a questioning gaze, so they called themselves followers of Ninlil. Jackson hoped the team had been paying attention during his briefing... Ninlil was another name for Lilith.
"Your female friend asked what we need to do next. There are many things we must show you, and your injuries must be attended to. First, we must reunite you with your team."

Bariq reached under the table and produced a small CB radio. He fiddled with the dials until a feint hissing sound emitted from the speaker. Grasping the handset, he slowly raised it to his mouth, wary of alarming his guest, he spoke into the device.
"Hart, do you read me?" He said. Nothing came back. He placed the handset down on the table in between him and Daniel and looked at the others with a smile. Minutes of silence passed. Daniel caught Eastlyn shooting Maggie a look full of daggers, silencing another potentially international incident-creating outburst. Finally, a muffled reply came back.
"This is Hart. I am with the others. Please transmit."
Baqir gestured toward the handset, "Please, go ahead. The channel is secure."
Cautiously, Daniel picked up the device and spoke,
"This is Doctor Daniel Jackson, calling any coalition forces who can hear me. Particularly Captain Dominic Evans and First Lieutenant Ahrima. Do you receive?"
Another minute or so passed until a wave of relief washed over the team, Evans voice came through the handset.
"Jackson? Is that you?"
"Affirmative. I'm okay. We're all okay. We had some, ah, help getting out of the combat zone."
"Don't take this the wrong way, because it's great to hear from you. But where the hell are you guys?"
"Ramadi." whispered Bariq.
"Ramadi, The people who rescued me are worshipers of Lilith, or more accurately, Ninlil."
"What!?" Came Evans' short and sharp reply.
"Look, I'll explain later. Any chance you can come pick us up if we give you some co-ordinates?"
"We'll work something out. Keep monitoring this channel. Evans out."

Jackson placed the handset down with a sigh of relief. Transport out of this hell hole was on it's way. In the meantime, he was aware that Bariq and the team had much to discuss. It was then that Bariq's eyes shifted to a point across the room, behind the team. Daniel turned in his chair to see a woman wearing a dark Chador emerging from the shadows. Had she been there this whole time? He became consciously aware of another male, apparently armed, that had now re-appeared in the doorway, casting a shadow across the room. Daniel got to his feet, feeling uneasy about this turn of events. Searching her face for any sign of expression as she approached him, he failed to notice her exceptionally long, spidery fingers until she swept the garment back off her head. She was directly in front of Chicago Eastlyn before she had fully taken in her long, red hair and pallid features. With a sudden jolt of realization he cried out.
"Whoa, wait!" but it was to no avail. Chicago knocked over his chair before the woman's other hand reached out... and latched onto her chest.

<Tag Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn and Maggie Lefebvre>

[Dominic Evans]

0635
Outside Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

"I am Special Agent Liam Hart, US Air Force Office of Special Investigations. I've been assigned to the SGC and for a while now and I was assigned here. We have a serious problem on our hands that is more imminent and dangerous than any mission before. The Cult of Lilith are like the Goa'uld, they are Wraith hybrids but there is a Tok'ra like version of them called the Ninlil that are mostly hybrids as well but they feed on animals instead of people. I have been working with the Ninlil who are good people and good friends, however the Lilith are going to be activating a global virus, the 'awakening' and that will be the end to humanity as we know it. It seems the Lilith know of the SGC and are trying to take us out before we can take them out, we can't let this happen. Let's go retrieve the rest of your team and Doctor Jackson then we need to get to work."

Dominic listened to the man's introduction and subsequent explanation as to what the hell was going on here. It still confused him, Ninlil versus Lilith followers? What a mess one ancient being had caused. As for this global virus called the awakening, well that didn't sound too good. Their original mission objective was to remove the threat that was the Cult of Lilith, but now they had to stop the black death itself with nothing but a scientist and a few pairs of hands. Great. Eyeing the man with suspicion still, he grabbed the radio and replied to Daniel Jackson,
"Jackson? Is that you?"
"Affirmative. I'm okay. We're all okay. We had some, ah, help getting out of the combat zone."
"Don't take this the wrong way, because it's great to hear from you. But where the hell are you guys?"
"Ramadi, The people who rescued me are worshipers of Lilith, or more accurately, Ninlil."
"What!?" They'd rescued him?
"Look, I'll explain later. Any chance you can come pick us up if we give you some co-ordinates?"
"We'll work something out. Keep monitoring this channel. Evans out." He handed the radio back Agent Hart. With a sideways glance to Ahrima, he cricked his neck and addressed the newcomer,
"Alright, Hart. You'd better come with us. We're gonna need a chopper."


1120
Ramadi, Iraq
Earth

Some hours later, the trio had made their way back to Balad airbase and Captain Evans had managed to commandeer a black hawk for the rescue mission. The pilot, an American called Baker, didn't need to know the details but knew it was a straight forward in and out extraction. Evans glanced out of the window at points of light flickering at them. Muzzle flashes, he knew they couldn't reach the helicopter at this altitude but that didn't stop them trying, and sooner or later they had to land. Evans was up front with Baker while Hart and Ahrima rode in the spacious compartment behind the cockpit. He glanced at the nav-computer and then down at the small courtyard to their ten o'clock that would serve as their landing zone.

"Any chance you can find a decent path that won't take us through the middle of all those fireworks?" He yelled into the headset at Baker. The noise of the chopper blades combined with the engines made for an uncomfortable ride. He wondered what Ahrima made of all this, Evans would take a puddle jumper any day over a Hawk.
"Can do. Turning right to zero-two-zero, hold course for ninety seconds then we'll go back left to two-niner-zero." A few bullets whizzed past the windscreen as Baker brought the bird in to a sharp bank down toward the courtyard. This was a hostile region and they'd had to pull a few maneuvers already on the way down. The helicopter swung down between two buildings which blocked the shooters' aim. They then gently descended through the remaining 70 feet to settle on the dusty ground. As the machine began to power down and Baker went through the post-flight procedure, Dom removed his headset. A quick via of the radar scanner revealed that the cavalry wasn't fire behind them. Dominic had managed or acquire a SEAL team to rappel in and secure the compound's perimeter while they extracted the team. Turning in his seat Dominic spoke to Ahrima,
"Hey, sorry if that freaked you out a little there. Believe me, it could've been much worse." He said, thinking of the famous film about this particular type of helicopter in this part of the world. Ahrima, Hart and Evans unbuckled and cautiously stepped out of the chopper, as they did the sounds of gunfire outside of the compound walls became clear. They didn't have much time here.

<Tag Liam Hart and Ahrima>

[Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn]

0628-0645
Bariq's Hideout
Ramadi
Iraq
Earth

A wave of anger washed over her as Maggie decided to try and throw all their lives in the toilet, and it took all of Chicago's self restraint to not yell at the woman and jump across the table and slap her in the face for being so careless. Bariq seemed to take it all in his stride though, so Roo was content enough for the time being to offer him an apologetic look before spending the rest of his time spent talking pinning Maggie down with a death glare to kill all death glares. It ran in the family.

----

Just like Daniel, Roo had been so relieved to hear Evans over the radio. They were okay. They were okay, and they had been looking for them, and they were coming to help get this thing done. She took a calming breath and winced a little at the twinge in her ribs, but didn't dwell on the pain for long. Mostly because there were suddenly extra people in the room and they were coming right for her. Her right hand instictively shot to her hip to reach for her weapon - but instead of her fingers brushing the familiar metal suface, there was just nothing, and Roo realised that Bariq and his men would have removed them before they all woke up. Smart (and fairly par for the course), but currently inconvenient.

Chancing a quick glance at Daniel out her peripherals assured her that he was out of harms way - the woman was definitely heading to her. She took a step back warily and accidentally knocked Jacksons chair over. The redheaded woman's hand reached out seemingly in slow motion, and Roo was aware of Daniel protesting from somewhere behind her, but it was too late. The womans pale hand had already connected with her chest with a small jolt. She could feel the panic racing in her mind, but it soon gave way to acceptance as a strange kind of warmth made its way through her body. It was....unexplainable. It was impossible for Roo to tell how long they stood there like that for, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes before the woman released her and drew her hand back sluggishly. She looked as she was about to turn to leave, but she swayed on her feet a little and stumbled as she tried to move her feet. The man who had accompanied her into the room must have stepped back during the....experience, but quickly rushed forward to help the redheaded woman leave the room without harming herself. Whatever it was she did, it seemed to have really taken alot out of her.

Roo had the warm fuzzies now, and blinked a few times to try and clear her thoughts. She glanced at Daniel and then turned her attention to Bariq, shooting him a slightly puzzled look. He gave her a small smile. "You were rather seriously injured, Major; fractured rib, head trauma and sprained wrist and fingers, to list the worst of them. You also had numerous cuts and bruises - cosmetic damage as I believe you would call it. She gave you some of her life force to heal you." Bariq paused for a moment to allow her to process all that. "So Major, how do you feel?" he asked with a small knowing smile.
"I feel fine. I feel more than fine. Giddy, even" she answered honestly as she sat back down on her chair, and addressed Daniel in a slightly hushed voice. "She was here in the room with us the entire time, just like that video Coolidge showed us before we left." She was silent a moment to gather her thoughts and let them all click into place. "That woman, she's gotta be some kind of Wraith - hybrid type thing, right?" She just wanted to make sure they were all on the same page. Jackson nodded his agreement, "It makes the most sense, given what we already know." Chicago only nodded, leaving Jackson free to barrage Bariq with all manner of questions while they waited for the rest of their team to show up.
She certainly had some mixed feelings about all this.

------

1122
Just outside Bariq's hideout


Having been allowed their weapons back as they exited Bariq's hideout - and now that she most definitely seemed to be miraculously healed (only a few minutes after her conversation with Bariq, she felt 110%. Even her hair was shinier!) - Chicago was presently feeling alot more "up" about the whole situation. Sunglasses planted firmly over her eyes to shield them from the sun (her hat was gone after the events of the previous day), not even the sound of gunfire from outside the compound could stop the relieved smile that appeared on her face when the other half of her team came into view. She motioned for Daniel to remain with Bariq and Maggie for a moment while she went ahead to meet Ahrima and Evans and someone she didn't recognise. Stopping a short distance from the trio, Roo directed her gaze to Evans first and nodded her head towards the chopper. "Interesting choice bringing one of those here don't you think, Captain? They made a movie and everything." He'd know she didn't mean it to be in as poor taste as it came across. Hopefully. The major turned her gaze to Ahrima next, well aware that they were pressed for time. "It's really good to see you both." she said, hoping she was getting her level of gratitude across. "I'd ask who your new friend is, but it'll have to wait - we need to hustle."

<Tag: Jason Conway, Dominic Evans, Ahrima, Maggie Lefebvre, Liam Hart >

[Maggie Lefebvre]

0628-0645
Bariq's Hideout
Ramadi
Iraq
Earth

This Bariq person just better glad that Maggie couldn't get to her weapon right now, because the REAL major poo would have flown. Maggie didn't take too well to being restrained too long, and she certainly didn't do well with strange men looking at her unless they were planning to sleep with her or let her shoot them. Hence why the Navy kept her far away from combat, and when she did work with the police forces, they kept her as the sharpshooters-she was far less dangerous on a rooftop than she was in your face. She was also fairly confident in her own skills.

Of course, you are free to go at any time mademoiselle. However, you would be wise to listen to what I and the other followers of Ninlil have to say. There is a war coming that you cannot 'sort of' win on your own, no matter how patriotic you may think you are. The end of days will be upon us. She ignored the looks the of the others as she stood up. She started for her gun, but paused, sighed, and started to pace. Shooting this man, no matter how desperately he deserved it, wouldn't solve any problems other than making HER feel better, and her momentary relief wasn't really going to matter when she was in the brig. She smashed one fist into the other flat palm, and sighed again. After a moment, the pacing helped a little, and she calmed down a tiny bit. She would prefer a run...or roll in the hay....but pacing DID help a little. She ignored the rest of the conversation, forcing herself to stay as calm as possible, which wasn't very calm, all things considered. But she was alert to the actions of the people around her; she couldn't afford NOT to be. THe strange pale woman approached Eastlyn, and that's when Maggie discovered her weapon had been lifted. FANTASTIC. She moved forward; hand to hand combat wasn't exactly something you learned in OCS, but it WAS something one learned on the mean streets of South Philly, where Maggie had spent her older teenaged years. She'd dropped enough b*tches in her life to know what to do, and as she lunged forward, she saw the Major pass out. Great. Now what? Maggie's left hook made contact, but didn't really seem to make much difference, as one of Bariq's men manhandled her away. Thier funeral.

Finally, someone spoke.

ou were rather seriously injured, Major; fractured rib, head trauma and sprained wrist and fingers, to list the worst of them. You also had numerous cuts and bruises - cosmetic damage as I believe you would call it. She gave you some of her life force to heal you...So Major, how do you feel? Maggie raised an eyebrow. Magic healing?! Yeah, she'd bought THAT personal ad once, and almost lost her life. Good thing Mike had read her paper, too, and saw her little doodles where she marked things of interest. And it was DOUBLY good for her that Mike spoke enough French to figure it out faster than she.

I feel fine. I feel more than fine. Giddy, even..She was here in the room with us the entire time, just like that video Woolsey showed us before we left....That woman, she's gotta be some kind of Wraith - hybrid type thing, right? Maggie muttered stuff about fire and bombs, but didn't allow either Eastlyn or Dr. Jackson hear all of it. If SHE were in charge, some TNT would "accidentally" appear and blow this cave into last century, and being Iraq, that would be a VAST improvement. She had been let go, and so she moved closer to the door. WHY couldn't they just shoot their way out of here?! It would be SOOOO much faster, and considerably more interesting.
----------------------------------
A little later
Outside Bariq's hideaway

FINALLY, the others showed up. She was never more happy to see a backup unit than that very moment. She eyeballed Ahrima and Evans; they looked better than she, Eastlyn, and Jackson. There was a newcomer, as well, whom she smiled brilliantly at, and sidled up to.

Hi. Lt. Maggie Lefebvre. So aren't we quite the hero?

Tag:Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Liam Hart, Ahrima, Dominic Evans, Jason Conway for plottwistys. Note: Maggie is still kinda po'd, so...

[Ahrima]

0635
Outside Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth


"I am Special Agent Liam Hart, US Air Force Office of Special Investigations."

This was certainly an interesting turn of events. Ahrima glared in the direction of the man that she and Evans had chased around the market. Was he truly who he claimed to be, or was this some convenient cover? At least that was what the Tau'ri would call it. Ahrima considered convenient covers to be exactly what she saw them as: lies. Nevertheless, she followed Evan's lead and listened as the (possibly useful) information poured from his lips.

"I have been working with the Ninlil who are good people and good friends, however the Lilith are going to be activating a global virus, the 'awakening' and that will be the end to humanity as we know it."

Ahrima simply narrowed her eyes. "You have been in possession of this intelligence, and we have been informed only now?" she asked restating the obvious. She shook her head and turned to Evans. The Tau'ri method of collecting intelligence, in her opinion, left a great deal to be desired. Evans went on to speak to the man called Hart, who seemed to know the location where the rest of SM-1 was being held. Once it seemed that their destination had been set, Ahrima proceeded to follow as Evans led the way. She chose to bring up the rear, not wanting this man called Hart out of her sight.


1120
Ramadi, Iraq
Earth


Ahrima's appraisal of the vessel aboard which they traveled, the chopper, Evans had called it was crude and primitive. Again, she was at a loss as to why the Tau'ri downplayed their ability and resources to their public as a whole. It wasn't her place to judge. Besides, she was far too busy watching the man called Hart. She had made no qualms about the fact that she was watching him... staring rather obviously and frequently. Eventually, a bit of excitement seemed to come about as they entered a hotzone and found themselves a ready target. The pilot, however, seemed accomplish as he maneuvered the craft between a row of buildings to gain cover from fire. As they landed, Evans turned to look back at her before they exited.

"Hey, sorry if that freaked you out a little there. Believe me, it could've been much worse."

"Actually, Captain," the Jaffa began, "I found the experience somewhat... nostalgic." Her head had shifted to the side slightly as she sought the proper words. On Evans' order, she exited the craft, careful to secure the area less they find themselves in the sights of more assailants. Her eyes were also on Hart as he left the craft, and with that, she began to follow his lead as he led the way to their friends.

"It's really good to see you both." Eastlyn said, hoping she was getting her level of gratitude across. "I'd ask who your new friend is, but it'll have to wait - we need to hustle."

"Hi. Lt. Maggie Lefebvre. So aren't we quite the hero?"

Ahrima watched Maggie as she positioned herself close to Hart. She sighed to herself, shaking her head slightly. Now was hardly the time to attempt to attract a mate. "That remains to be seen," said Ahrima as she casually walked between the pair of them, despite the fact it would have been much easier to walk around them. She quickly checked her weapon, her eyes appraising Doctor Jackson from where she stood. Satisfied that there was no extensive injury to the man, she turned back to Major Eastlyn. "I do believe the Major expressed a sense of urgency in our departure." Her words had been meant to urge Maggie and Hart along for time was clearly of the essence.

<TAG: Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Dominic Evans, Maggie Lefebvre, Liam Hart, @danieljackson>

[Liam Hart]

0635
Outside Iraq National Museum
Baghdad, Iraq
Earth

They sure were surprised, but acting the way they did could easily get them shot. They're not exactly in Colorado or the states anymore, they're in Iraq, where terrorists and militants run around shooting and killing anyone especially Americans, or at the very least they'll hold them captive and make it known to the world.

"You have been in possession of this intelligence, and we have been informed only now?" Ahrima the Jaffa said. Liam smiled, knowing she is a Jaffa and not in the military, he'll give her leeway, but Liam liked Teal'c better than her... "You had no need to know. No one in the SGC even knows what my assignment was and I don't answer to you or anyone on Meropis. I work for General Landry and the Director of the OSI, that is all. Of course had you not come here acting like John Wayne none of you would be in this mess, but cleaning up is what I do, apparently..." Liam said while shifting his attention between Ahrima and Evans.

Liam went with the unlikely duo of a team who looked like they had strong feelings for one another but would never show it, or reveal it. Liam listened to the radio conversation and then left with the team as they boarded a chopper.


1120
Ramadi, Iraq
Earth

Liam followed the Captains lead who wasn't an American but sure acted like it or at least more than a Brit would. Liam never saw a Brit act the way the Captain did, especially not someone whose MI-6 usually they're the careful type, they're spies after all. Liam did however notice this Ahrima always looking at him, it made him feel uneasy, especially knowing she'd have no problem killing him where he sat...

Liam watched the team reunite as he stood back and let them have their time. Liam was the independent type, thus the reason he agreed to this operation being the only American for miles going undercover with a bunch of hybrids, mostly. Liam noticed one of the team members look at him and approach him, "Hi. Lt. Maggie Lefebvre. So aren't we quite the hero?" Trouble, yep she is trouble...

Liam nodded more so as a greeting than an affirmative... "Special Agent Liam Hart, USAF OSI. You were safe here, I've lived here for a year now. Excuse me." Liam said as he saw his people, he walked off to talk to them, good to see they're still alive.

After a few moments Liam rejoined the group as they were clearly getting ready to go. Liam walked up to Daniel Jackson, a man of whom was quite legendary around the SGC, for obvious reasons. "Daniel did you enjoy your time at the Hilton?" Liam asked Doctor Jackson, they know each other quite well since Liam worked with SG-1 on earth based operations for some time now.

<Tag: Ahrima Dominic Evans Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn Maggie Lefebvre>