Episode Five-The Enemy Within (Group 3-the Nerds)

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1945 Hours
Meropis City
The Labs 

Fee had been in the labs all day; she was still basically shell-shocked from her introductory excurison into the Meropis wilderness, and the blowup at the Ancient lab. She was feeling internal strife, not sure WHO to trust-the catman that she had rescued, and his story, or the people who'd been trained-and sworn-to protect her and the rest of humankind? Especially when the latter had rather large weapons and were hell-bent on USING them. She really had picked badly-signing up for the Stargate program, and leaving behind her safe, comfortable life. Sleep was no longer something that came easily to her, and she had a big case of homesickness. Also, most people ignored her, and while she pretended to not mind TOO much, she did wish that someone besideds Dr. Harrison would ask how she was-and really want to know. 

She was waiting for Aear and Almeda. The former was likely in the labs, doing God knows what with Dr. Ackermann's machines, while she had NO idea where Almeda spent her free time. They weren't employees of the Stargate program, nor of any of the representive countries or militaries, so she really didn't CARE. Fee just minded when they were in her way whilst she was trying to do actual work. 

The three were meant to be doing research on the information that Almeda held within herself, and her codes. The keys to "unlocking" the bases-and Lilth's-secrets. Fee was just a LITTLE put out-she was a highly-intelligent, well trained scientist. Her work had long been past "lab rats". She'd rather be testing new puddle jumpers to make them more aerodynamic or somesuch, but then she tried to remember the Admiral or General or whatever he was words-"there were no little jobs..." 

She looked up as one of them came in. 

Allo... 

Tag:Aear Charter, Almeda

[Aear Charter]

1945 - 1950
The Labs

Aear wandered the halls, he was supposed to be in the labs, he'd been asked to help Fee 'break into Almeda' as it were. Whilst normally he'd jump at the chance to study a machine like Almeda he was finding himself constantly looking over his shoulder. He was feeling just a tiny bit vulnerable, at least that was what he told others,in reality he'd never been more vulnerable. He was unable to use magic without further damaging his body, he was likely to be chased by another bounty hunter in the not too distant future, whether it was another Kitsune assassin or just another scientist with too much of an ego he really didn't care. To make matters worse he was seeing someone that really shouldn't be there. Ever since his appointment with the doc one of the scientists from his birth project was appearing around the base. Thankfully it wasn't anything he'd have to fight so far but it never meant anything good.

Aear took a deep breath before he turned the last corner. He rolled his eyes at the armed guard, we're they really necessary if he couldn't fight? Aear strolled in in as close to his normal self as possible. After his outburst in the General's office he really didn't want Fee to see him any more vulnerable.

Hey Fee, how you doing?

Tag: Fiona Maccafferty, Almeda

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1955
The labs

Fee smiled as Aear came in.

Hey, Fee, how you doing? She nodded.

On the pat and mick, really, but better. How's your form? She spoke odd Irish-isms today; they came out when she was tired, and if you spent enough time with the young woman, you learned that. She looked around the room.

We're meant to be takin' apart Almeda. I wonder if the General realizes that I didn't do laboratory sciences in Uni. I wonder if Doc Harrison shouldn't be here. Me cackles are itchy, hang on. She stood, and scratched her legs beneath the stiff cordouroy of her slacks. She pushed some of her hair behind her shoulder as she sat back down, and started making a paper football. She'd teach Aear to play paper bogball.

Tag:Aear Charter, @almeda.

Note: Fee's wearing this: www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=145649007. That is the fugliest vest I've ever seen.

Translations: "On the pat and mick" is upset stomach, also PMS. Here, it's the former. "How's your form" means how are you? "Me cackles" are pants, the tailored kind.

[Plot Twist]

1955
Science Labs
Meropis

Before the self proclaimed "nerds" could really get stuck in, a proverbial spanner was thrown into the works.
The lights and machinery all around the lab went out, plunging the group into darkness.
With an audible hiss, the doors slid shut... And locked themselves.
The emergency lighting kicked in after a few seconds, casting a dim glow around the room.

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1955
Science Labs
Meropis

Fiona was about to get to work when something interesting happened.

The lights went out, as did the computers, and the doors slid shut and locked them in. Awesome. She sprang into action then, though.

Aear. Amelia still works. Let's see if we can override the system. She started to punch numbers and letters, her fingers flying fast. She couldn't work as fast as she could from her console; the small machine's memory output was simply not what she needed it to be, but it would suffice. For now. She sighed. At least the emergency lighting worked...

I can't get in. Any luck on your end? I don't want to run the battery out, in case of emergency. She hoped that Aear and his core-linke AI thing might have more luck than she. Maybe she should try the doors-maybe she'd luck out and they'd open like they did at the Ancient labs. She stood, and crossed. They unlocked for a moment, but didn't open. She shrugged. She hadn't yet connected that she had the Gene-she assumed it was pure chance.

Mayhaps I can get the doors open; at least that will allow more light. I can rig up a generator...if I can find enough parts. I am going to Dr. Ackermann's lab. She jogged into the next room, and surveyed. A few tools would help, but where was she gonna get an engine? If only there was a lawnmower handy. Or some sort of similar engine.

Tag:Aear Charter.

[Elly Clark]

1956
Science Lab block
Meropis.

Elly had left the science labs after going through yet more ancient writing for a whole bunch of people, As Enjoyable as translation and finding out something knew from a language spoken by perhaps the greatest species of this universe, it can still become a little repetitive, especially when those using ancient research notes, really should be able to do at least some simple translations. Shakking her head she finished off her sandwich and brushed some crumbs off her opened expedition jacket and t-shirt, the feeling of being here was still a little powerful, then again being around some of the greatest people of many disciplines certainly made her feel both a little intimdated a special. Dr Clark often wondered why she had been chosen and others hadn't, she knew she was smart, smarter than most, but she never held it above most people, then again creating naquadah naturally was something that had taken many others a lot longer than she had and without previous similar research notes.

Walking back into the main science area she nodded smile and even said hello to those who were also walking or not to busy, one of the soldiers who was patroling walked by, he looked at her with a cold though not inexpressive glance, he seemed to hide something, then again they were all hiding something, from each other here and most people back on Earth, the true nature of the Milky Way and the universe not to mention the origins of human kind.  But the trade off, was somewhat worth it even though deep down Elly felt everyone deserved to know, she felt enough people wouldn't like it or e unwilling to accept the truth to cause or otherwise instigate the dire conseqences most envisioned which nececitated the secrecy. 

Elly was near back to the Lab where she had said she would meet Fiona Maccafferty just about now. In the small hallway before the lab the lights and seemingly everything else as some people exclaimed a great many things.

Clark just stood there, like a bump on a log near the end of the hall way as the red hue of the emergency lights barely lit the features of the hallway. Though it wasn't an EMP or something similar, her radio still worked and it went a little mad, before it was all setteled by the expedition's commander General Conway and the control room staff.

The city had gone into quarantine... this had happened early on in Atlantis as well, similar damages and those sorts of things except for the cause Flooding in Atlantis and weapons fire here. Her work with high energy physics and power generation before her time here had earn't her a nice little bit of consulting time about power systems, management and distribution... along with continueing work to find a way to replicate ZPMs, which would if production was at least as costly a 304 would solve earths power demand problems realtivly quickly. 

Walking up to the lab door she felt it best to make sure nothing bad had happened to Fiona or Aear or Almeda. Elly banged her fist against the door then spoke, speaking up loudly her normally quiet voice, though strangely more average personality often confused some. "You guys alright in there?" she called out rubbing her hand having hit the door maybe a little too hard.

<TAG: Fiona Maccafferty, Aear Charter, Almeda, plot twist you evil bastard.>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1956
Science Lab block
Meropis.

Fiona sighed. She realized she couldn't get to the other labs; just her's and the ones that the rest of the Comms people used. Where were those bloody useless gits, anyhow?! Of course it'd be the civillians-and one alien-bailing out the military blokes. It happened back at NASA, and then at the Lilith's lab and it was happening again now. She stamped her foot impatiently; why couldn't Aear just use his magic bollocks to make the doors open?! In defeat, she returned to her desk and sighed. She looked at Aear.

Wanna learn how to play a GREAT Earth game? It's called paper football... It would help her relax a bit so her brain could work and figure out how to get them out of here. Amelia, her tablet, was STILL plugging away. She'd need a way to make that run faster-if only she didn't do so much extra work...Fee tended to be a workaholic, but she had nothing much else to DO with her time-she didn't have a mate to worry about, nor children, and her Da was a couple of million light-years away.

She pulled a few sheets of paper in front of her, and then heard a knock at the door. Elly's small, piping voice came through.

You guys alright in there? Fee nodded, and then realized that Elly couldn't see her.

Yes, we're fine...it's just dark. Anyone there with you? I am going to try the doors again... After all, it HAD worked on Lilith's labs. She crossed to the door where Elly stood beyond it, and placed her hands on it. It clicked open, and she smiled.

Hurry up and get in here. I don't know how long it's gonna stay open... Just as she said that, the door slid shut and locked again. She looked from Elly to Aear, and sighed.

Tag:Aear Charter, Elly Clark, Almeda, @plot twist you evil bastard. (Note: I vote we use this tag in every post because it's brill.)

[Aear Charter]

1956
Science Lab Block place thing stop changing the names of places!
Meropis

Aear was about to ask Fee what in the black sea cackles were when the lights went out. Just great as if he didn't have enough problems right now. He's ears flicked around like mad in the dim light as they moved to every little sound of the machines suddenly shutting down, all the odd little whirs and clinks before they all finally settled. But that wasn't what caused Aear's heart to sink, the sound of the vacuum seal from the door behind him sinisterly informing them that they were now locked in.

Through the dimly lit room Aear could hear a whispering, a murmuring that he couldn't place. He screwed his eyes in a quizzical look at Fee, assuming she could see through the dim light. Aear could see she was talking but the words just weren't reaching him. It only made the cold feeling of the darkness around him grow as if he was sinking into it as it spread across him. Yet the murmurs continued. Aear frantically looked around before a knocking on the metal door brought him to his senses.

You guys alright in there?

Aear span to stare at the door. The cold sinking feeling lifted as Fee opened the door and let Elly in. As she entered Aear realised his right arm had been outstretched towards the door as his instincts reacted without him. He pulled his arm back and looked away flushing purple. Not only had he had an anxiety attack for the first time in a while but if he was still able to use magic he might have blasted the door open and Elly with it. Maybe his words to to Doc Harrison were right, maybe he shouldn't be around people at the moment.

Tag: Fiona Maccafferty, Elly Clark, Almeda, @theevilbastardknownasplottwist

[Elly Clark]

1956
Science Labs (sorry it was just more appropriate her not being in the labs themselves sorry Aear)
Meropis.

The darkness was still very unsetteling, though mostly darkness wasn't new to her, this was a place not supposed to be so it felt strange. Elly had always seemed at least by many who haf first heard her only by voice as a small, shy, quiet girl, and well she kind of look like it, but her personality was a lot stronger, not really strong but more so than one might expect by voice alone.

"Yes, we're fine...it's just dark. Anyone there with you? I am going to try the doors again...
" after a slightly longer than necessary pause Fee responded. Elly knew there was unlikely to be anyone else in the hallway.

"I don't think so,  but uhh. were you just listening to the radios? seems something to do with the power." Elly called back.

A little while after that the door clicked then opened, Fiona was standing and telling her to get in quick so Elly quickly jumped accross the threshold. The door closed behind her. Dr Clark then looked to air who had turned away slightly, she still wasn't sure what to make of him, maybe he didn't get their social customs as mcuh as perhaps most of the science team seemed to struggle. 

Elly then looked to Fee. "Thanks for letting me in... how'd you do it?" Elly said looking back over her shoulder the doors controls seemingly untouched and nothing seeming too obvious manipulated. Elly then looked to Aear he seemed anxious. "Something wrong Aear? I mean other than all this?" She asked, waving her hards around omni-directionally, she was hoping hoping not to spook him with the inquiry., not that he in an axious state didn't scare her a little, probably a healthly though not necessarily rational fear.

<TAG: Fiona Maccafferty, Aear Charter, @plot twist you evil bastard.>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1956
Science Labs
Meropis

Amelia was acting oddly. Fee was unsettled; the tablet that was essentially her closest friend was failing her. And her ability to open the doors at will was also unsettling. Fiona worked on logic, and neither of these things made much logical sense. Elly had managed to come through the door before it closed on them once more, and Fee nodded at her.

Allo. Have you brought tools? Don't suppose you've got a lawn-mower just laying about? I want to build a generator, and Aear is being useless as a chocolate teapot. This didn't surprise her; he may be an alien but he WAS male. She looked to Aear, who was kind of hunched over his arm AI, and she just shook her head. Elly asked her a question.

Thanks for letting me in... how'd you do it? Fee shrugged lightly. She couldn't explain it without sounding like a complete Fecky.

Me hands. It happened at the Ancient lab, too. I don't know why. This planet is strange. She hoped that Elly wouldn't push her; Fee disliked not having a word for something, and at this moment, the actions had no words. She waited for Elly to speak to Aear.

After the two others were done, Fee interrupted.

I am waiting for Amelia, Fee indicated her tablet, to finish updating so I can see if we can override the security system. In the meantime, fancy a game of paper football? She pulled a sheet of paper from the file in front of her. The General had sent it as a softcopy over the computer, but Fee had printed a hardcopy so she could refer to it as they worked. However, she hadn't yet READ the file; it was dark and she had been distracted lately. Between maintaining the bases' massive computer networks, as well her own assignments from both the General and Hurley, she was busy. She saw herself as the head of the tech office, having the most experience, at least with computer programming, and so she was constantly working. Plus, she had a small life outside of work, and while she liked the Aliens, she felt a little bit she should have at least ONE human friend. Maybe she and Elly could be friends. Not that Fee KNEW how to be friends with another female; Fee didn't particularly like women, they were catty and ridiculous, usually, but Elly didn't seem like that.

Tag:Aear Charter, Elly Clark, @thebastardformerlyknownasplottwist

[Aear Charter]

1957
Science Labs (it's not just you it happens all the time and confuses me)
Meropis

Aear paced up and down the lab a few times. His ears kept flicking about, he kept hearing it, the murmurs, voice that he was sure he recognised yet couldn't quite place. He had perfect memory he SHOULD just be able to pick out each voice individually then name and shame them, but it just wasn't working. His tail flicked around showing his anxiety and his breathing and heart rate were elevated. Still at least it was still mild and he hadn't started panicking yet.

Allo. Have you brought tools? Don't suppose you've got a lawn-mower just laying about? I want to build a generator, and Aear is being useless as a chocolate teapot.

"Well, I could try interfacing with her and help her process?" It was just a suggestion but he could try using his nanites to help Amelia work faster. Not that he knew what Fee had her tablet doing, he had been kind of distracted with the lights going out and the strange voices. "And what in the black sea is paper football?"

Tag: Elly Clark, Fiona Maccafferty, @thatbastardplottwist

[Elly Clark]

1958
Science Labs
Meropis

Fiona seemed to have a plan but not everything they needed, admittedly, Elly did have a tool or two on her, she had a micro phillips head screw driver, a pen a note pad and that was kind of it apart from a chocolate bar and her radio.

"Allo. Have you brought tools? Don't suppose you've got a lawn-mower just laying about? I want to build a generator, and Aear is being useless as a chocolate teapot." 

She smiled a tiny bit, the words and saying Fiona used amused her a little, they seemed both stupid yet true. "I guess a chocolate teapot melts when you put the tea in it, but as for tools, I got these..." She fumbled in one fo the inside jacket pockets producing the small screw driver, then grabbed the pen and the small notebook. "But Do any of these machine have their own power? UPSs' even?" (UPS = uniteruptable power supply.) 

Fiona's response to asking how she let her in was most puzzeling. "Did you just like... wave your hand over the control panel or something?" Maybe Fiona was one of those with the ATA gene, but usually they would know that, it seemed odd. 

Aear Seemed to just pace up and down ignoring her, nothing more she could do, if he didn't want to talk to her right now, she wasn't going to force him. 

"I am waiting for Amelia," Maccafferty then gestured to her tablet, it seemed she had named it, then again she was the weird one who kept a screw driver in her pocket, she had used to to just gently change something to complete her Naquadria creation thing, she kept it as a reminder of how sometimes a bit of lick and physical finesse can make all the difference. 

"to finish updating so I can see if we can override the security system. In the meantime, fancy a game of paper football?
" Fiona finished off, well that mgiht work since power was still getting here, but most systems where off line and the city was either goingt o be recycling air or only letting it in not out if it was in quarantine...this would give them time, but without sensors and the sun tzu being away they were goal without a goalie.

"If the city is in quaratine, it might only let us  into places and not out... could you try opening the door like you did for me again?" Elly asked.

<TAG: Fiona Maccafferty, Aear Charter>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1958
Science Labs
Meropis

Fiona began reading the file in front of her. She supposed she should probably know what they were looking for before they dismantled the AI. Scienctfic theory and all that. Fee was nothing if not serious about science, so she supposed that a bit of attention to the details should be paid. She was scanning the document when she noticed Aear's tail twitching. She reached out to pet him; instinct, like she'd do to her da's kitty at home. He answered, finally.

Well, I could try interfacing with her and help her process? Fee smiled a little.

She's updating. Bloody thing is slow. Needs a new processor, but I haven't had time. If you're feeling up to it, feel free. But don't tire yourself, we'll need you later. She knew that Aear was still weak and tired from his time in Lilth's lab.

Elly spoke then, as well.

guess a chocolate teapot melts when you put the tea in it, but as for tools, I got these... The woman produced a Swiss Army Knife, which would be handy if they were stranded in Paris and had only wine and cheese to survive on. She nodded, though.

Might do, I've got a few Allen wrenches in me drawer, she said, extracting the S shaped tools from the top drawer of her desk. Well, a mini screwdriver, two Allen wrenches, and a spool of Scotch tape. They were up the proverbial creek, it seemed. She sighed. Elly continued.

But Do any of these machine have their own power? UPSs' even?" Fee shook her head.

'Fraid not. The Stargate Program is a little draconian in their tech. I am updating, along with Blueberry Yagami, but with 200 computers at different locations throughout the base, plus my normal work, and now my alien work from the General, well, it's taking longer than I expected. She didn't tell Elly that there was also the few hours she slept and the one hour twice a week she saw Dr. Harrison. Other than those two things, she had no life besides her jobs.

Did you just like... wave your hand over the control panel or something? She just nodded.

Basically... Fee shrugged, and finished her scan of the paperwork. Something had stood out to her, so she was going to read again.

If the city is in quaratine, it might only let us into places and not out... could you try opening the door like you did for me again? Fee nodded, and stood, pressing her palms against the door panel as she had before. It unlocked and opened for a moment, and then shut again. She shrugged and turned back to Elly.

Lilth's lab did the same thing. Only there I was also able to operate the power. I already tried down here.

And what in the black sea is paper football? Fee shook her head. Late to the game, per usual.

It's a game in which you use your fingers to flick a ball made from paper into a goal. We can use the garbage cans. Actually, they should PROBABLY be working on getting the power back up, but Fee was kind of tired of saving everyone's sixes, and really wanted a few hours to screw around. She should read the file one more time. She took the page, and reread it, glad that she knew how to speed read. She looked to Aear, and then to Elly.

Anyone know what's an ATA gene?

Tag:Elly Clark, Aear Charter, @plottwistyouevilbastard.

So yeah, it just clicked for Fee...

[Plot Twist]

2000
Science Labs
Meropis

The city-wide comms system was down, merely a buzzing multitude of static noises when one tried to receive a signal. The power was also down. The city was in quarantine. It was all going according to plan. The creature followed it's companions down the smooth corridors of the surface building. Sniffing, snarling, pushing the others away when they got too close. The feelers on it's head gently moved this way and that, sensing the shifting power around the city. It had been so many years since they had been able to see the surface again. There were still a few rays of the setting sun outside that were filtering through the various windows around the city, casting long and gloomy shadows about the place and aiding the emergency lighting. The creatures made sure they stuck to the shadows where they could see, the light was too painful still.

The polite hiss of a door closing caught it's attention. The creature stopped in it's tracks and snarled at the direction of the noise. It barked and howled to the others. The blood-curdling noises the pack made grew to a cacophony and echoed down the long corridor. They ran toward the doors. A thud immediately silenced the conversation beyond the door as the first one slammed into it, not knowing how or why they would not open. It scratched and clawed desperately, it must open, it must. It howled and yelped at the others. One got too close. It bit aggressively and pushed it's companion away.

After a few moments, the rest of the pack had begun to drift back out into the corridor, sniffing the air and feeling for the power sources with their antenna. They'd lost interest in the noises. The creature gave the door one final, violent kick, denting the lower panel, before plodding behind the rest of the group. It let out one last un-natural screech, just because it could. The master would be with them soon, he would guide them to freedom.

<Tag Fiona Maccafferty Aear Charter and Elly Clark>

[Aear Charter]

1959
Science Labs

Aear breathed slowly and deliberately to try and calm himself down. He moved closer to Fee, he trusted her more than Elly and right now he needed someone there. He still wasn't entirely sure with Fee, not that he trusted anyone explicitly mind, but she had saved his life. He owed her and he intended to pay back that debt. As Fee and Elly went back and forth he placed his left hand on Amelia and tried interfacing with his nanties. Fee had pretty much told him to be careful, yeah right he was wasn't even going to use magic. Just use his head to help Amelia get on with things. Of course it meant he turned off most of his hearing and closed his eyes.

It was the banging at the door that grabbed his attention. Aear severed his link with Amelia and jumped in front of the door, for a second he thought about firing a beam cannon spell at the creatures the other side of the door, not a lethal shot but enough to scare them off, maybe knock one or two out. Of course he wasn't used to not using magic when the urge hit him and he automatically started pre-casting, just for a split second, just long enough for a targeting ring to flash in the air in front of him and a spark fly from his right arm sending a shooting pain through his body and causing him to wince. He listened with his ears as his tail flicked about as a warning sign. The sounds were giving him a mental image, just a rough idea of what was on the other side. "I thought it was just Earthicans, Jaffa and Paisley living here?

Tag: Fiona Maccafferty, Elly Clark, @plottwiststopscaringaear