Episode Four - The Cult of Lillith

[Ahrima]

1510 Zulu
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

As Ahrima sat back in the chair, she found herself most... uncomfortable. How had the Tau'ri managed to best the Goa'uld when they had such a desire for everything to be so soft. Beds were made for comfort as where their chairs, which was the case with the one that she sat in now. They even had what they called comfort foods. Her eyes shifted into Captain Evans' direction. She watched as the man reclined in the chair and placed his feet on the table in front of him. It perplexed her how such a formidable warrior could find himself at ease in such a state. She slowly leaned back, as she sat on the opposite side of the aisle and proceeded to mimic the man's actions, placing her own boots on a small table in front of her. The first thought that came to mind was how vulnerable such a state left her to attack.

She listened as Doctor Jackson and Captain Evans spoke, mentioning the names of a few of the ancients, as well as pointing out that there seemed to be mention of some attacks in this Iraq as well. Ahrima understood that this was means of subterfuge, as the Tau'ri chose to keep much of the existence of matters beyond their planet a secret from the masses. She wasn't sure if that was a wise choice or not. Nonetheless, it wasn't her place to critique how the rulers of this planet chose to rule.

What's it like, crossing through this....Gate?

Ahrima looked towards Maggie as she spoke. The woman's question seemed... an odd one. "It is the same as crossing any other gate or doorway," Ahrima answered. "One moment you stand on one side, and in the next, you find yourself on the other. There is no great mystery with this."

<TAG: SM-1>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

1510 Zulu
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Maggie settled back, letting out a breath or two. She was a pilot, sure, but there was a reason she preferred to ride shot-gun...she got a little airsick sometimes. She sat primly, smoothing her uniform pants as she did, and then subconciously ran her hand over her hair as heard a voice.

t is the same as crossing any other gate or doorway...One moment you stand on one side, and in the next, you find yourself on the other. There is no great mystery with this." Maggie looked sideways at Ahrima. She fought the urge to call her "Mork" again, and then nodded as she replied.

I meant, does it hurt at all? Do you feel pain like we do? I apologize for earlier, calling you Mork. I am sure you're far more advanced than television aliens. Maggie blinked once. That didn't come out like she hoped, but she sometimes struggled to relate to females.

Tag: SM-1

[Ahrima]

1514 Zulu
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

"I meant, does it hurt at all? Do you feel pain like we do?"

Ahrima seemed confused by the comment. At first it seemed as if Maggie were asking only about the doorway alone. Though, upon pondering over her latter comment, it seemed that she was also inquiring about Ahrima as a Jaffa. She continued to recline in the chair with her feet up as she turned to look over at Maggie. "The experience of walking through the Chappa'ai is painless," Ahrima answered. "Initially, your people encountered a brief drop in temperature when moving through, but sense that time have amended that error."

Ahrima looked away, turning her gaze out the window for a moment. Though, after a few seconds, she spoke once more. "The anatomies of our bodies are very similar," Ahrima said without looking at Maggie. "The Jaffa are said to have descended from the Tau'ri. We were taken from your world and genetically modified by the Goa'uld to better serve them. We are in many ways superior to you: stronger, faster... healthier... save for our dependence upon the Goa'uld. In some ways, we have exchanged one master for another. A chemical derived from the Tok'ra tretonin sustains us, but it is in many ways... less effective. Still, as a whole, we are better off."

"I apologize for earlier, calling you Mork. I am sure you're far more advanced than television aliens."

Ahrima turned to look at Maggie and nodded. "I am familiar with your television aliens. I have seen the show Wormhole X-Treme. It's satirical portrayal of my people is inaccurate," she stated dryly. "We are more passionate than the program suggests."

<TAG: SM-1, Maggie Lefebvre>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

1514 Zulu
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Maggie sighed deeply, and pulled her blonde bob into a mini-ponytail, and then decided that since she wasn't *technically* on duty, she could relax a little. Ahrima seemed content with thier small-talk, and continued.

The experience of walking through the Chappa'ai is painless...Initially, your people encountered a brief drop in temperature when moving through, but sense that time have amended that error. Maggie nodded. Ahrima spoke a bit...what Maggie might call "le matron", but she did understand. Most people underestimated Maggie-not that Mags minded; it was how she had made it this far without dying or seriously hurting herself, or ending up in a drug rehab.

She nodded to Ahrima.

Ah, thank you. That's...how do you say? Excellent. I dislike pain.

Ahrima continued, answering her question about her people being of higher intellegence.

The anatomies of our bodies are very similar. The Jaffa are said to have descended from the Tau'ri. We were taken from your world and genetically modified by the Goa'uld to better serve them. We are in many ways superior to you: stronger, faster... healthier... save for our dependence upon the Goa'uld. In some ways, we have exchanged one master for another. A chemical derived from the Tok'ra tretonin sustains us, but it is in many ways... less effective. Still, as a whole, we are better off." Maggie was quiet for a bit; not only did she have no bleeping clue what a Jaffa, Goa'uld, or Tok'ra was, she kind of understood Ahrima's point-that they were indeed "higher" beings, but at a price.

I understand. I imagine that's sort of what I experience everytime I go up for an Admiral's Mast. That's where I get into trouble... She made a face. Just so long as Ahrima didn't ask how often that happened...

I am familiar with your television aliens. I have seen the show Wormhole X-Treme. It's satirical portrayal of my people is inaccurate...We are more passionate than the program suggests." Maggie snorted a little.

We don't have that program in France, but yes. I understand that, as well. Most French people are protrayed in the media as hypersexed, Galoise-smoking artists, but we're so much more than that. She smiled a little.

How much longer, do you think?

Tag: @all

[Dominic Evans]

1519 Zulu
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Dominic Evans had been idly listening to the conversation at hand, the only other noise punctuating the silence was the subtle whir of the jet engine and the occasional sound of Jackson turning over a page in his large book. The Captain suppressed a smile beneath his cap as Maggie and Ahrima seemed to be bonding a little better than back in the briefing room, that made his job as executive officer a little easier at least.
“How much longer, do you think?”
“A couple hours probably, it’ll be dark when we get there so don’t be surprised if we have to do a lights out approach.” He spoke up and noticed the two girls look his way. Zach and Chicago had been keeping fairly quiet, probably getting their rest in before they arrived, but Dom had a little trouble with sleeping on planes. Turning to face Jackson, he asked,
“You know all this talk of experiments and fantastical beasts. You ever wonder if Ra based his ‘designs’ on Lillith? I mean, he was in Egypt which is near enough next to Iraq right?”
“Ah, a very good theory” Daniel Jackson replied, “some texts do indicate Lillith fled to Egypt for a period.”
There was a burning question Dominic wanted to raise that he'd been building up to,
“Hey, I get that the recent deaths in Iraq give us an opening to poke around out there but...” He sighed and shook his head slightly, “Can’t you get everything you need out this book about the Gilgamesh without wandering into a war zone?”
Jackson lowered his book and adjusted his glasses, which gave him a unintentional knowing air,
“Not everything. Translations often lack nuances of context. The modern version of the book is an English interpretation of a set of broken tablets, inscribed in one of the world’s oldest written languages. These tablets are currently stored-“ Evans knew the answer,
“In the Iraqi National Museum.” He looked from Jackson to Maggie and back again, getting hold of them was probably easier said than done.

Not that he minded the trip but, something else occurred to Evans,
“Did somebody not... Think to err, take photographs of these tablets and ya’know... Email them over?” He asked carefully.
“Of course, but the tablets are only a secondary part of the story. When I was undertaking research at the museum a few years ago, I came across several unusual scrolls in the archives that’d never been translated. It’s only now that I realize the lettering was in fact, ancient script.” Jackson leaned on the arm rest looking at the rest of the team, Evans got the impression he felt proud of himself. So, that was the objective then, a set of ancient scrolls deep within the vaults of the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad. Again, it sounded easy on paper...

He checked his watch, a few more hours to go still, and checking one’s watch repeatedly did not actually advance the course of time any quicker, surprisingly. There was something else on his mind, probably the real reason he couldn't get to sleep. Something he’d read in the briefing as the plane took off, he made a habit of reading those things cover to cover. Addressing the cabin in general, he spoke up,
“You know, I’m not really comfortable with the idea that I might have Wraith DNA within me... The sooner they get those test results on our blood confirmed, the better.”

<Tag Zachary Acker Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn Maggie Lefebvre and Ahrima>

[Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn]

1520
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Roo had managed to tamp down the urge to strong arm her way into the cockpit just for her peace of mind. She hadn't flown in a man-made plane in a while, and the last time she had, naturally she had been the pilot - the one in control. It wasn't a feeling Chicago responded well to - not being in control. That's dangerous territory there, Eastlyn. Backtrack. Pushing the memories away, she forced herself to leave the pilots alone, join the others and focus on what needed to be done next.

Chicago took a glance around the inhabitants of the cabin and nearly sank down next to Evans, but redirected herself to sit in the row behind him instead and pulled her cap down over her eyes, with the intent of catching some semblance of downtime. She needed to make sure she had a clear head the second her feet hit dirt. Slouched down in her seat, with her arms crossed her over her chest, legs stretched out in front of her, ankles crossed, it was as comfortable as she could get...as comfortable as she could afford to get - never let your guard down. never get complacent. You get complacent, you get dead. Fun times.

The voices of the others talking amongst themselves were a low, steady drone in the back of her mind, and she smirked from underneath her cap at Maggie and Ahrima trying to get along - and as much as she tried to block it all out, of course bits of pieces of Evans' conversation with Dr. Jackson filtered past her. Repressing a sigh, Chicago adjusted slightly in her seat and clung to the illusion of sleep hanging tauntingly just out of reach.

---------

She wasn't sure how long it had been, but Dominic (damn him) was leaking restlessness out of every pore, and she could practically feel it radiating off him from his seat in front of her. "For the love of God, Evans, quit looking at your watch," she mumbled, but she couldn't be sure how much of her comment he had heard. “You know, I’m not really comfortable with the idea that I might have Wraith DNA within me... The sooner they get those test results on our blood confirmed, the better.” Ahhh, there it was. Not bothering to sit herself upright in her chair just yet, she lifted her cap so her voice wouldn't be as muffled. "Can't say that I'm overjoyed at the thought either, but the good doctors back at the Mountain will let us know either way as soon as possible, you know that." Her voice was as kind and reassuring she could make it without it coming across to the others on board as coddling and comforting, and an authoritative note slipped into her tone as she spoke again, "But 'til then, there's nothing we can do so there's no point dwelling on it, yeah? We've got a job to do."

Leaning forwards, she poked her head between the gap of Evans' seat and the one next to it, and spoke in a low tone. "It'll be fine, yeah? You'll be fine." She flashed him a smile then, "Don't worry, Dom. If you worry, I'll worry and that'll just be a mess." It was a poor attempt at a joke, but humour on demand never sat well with her - she was always better at being spontaneously hilarious - but she just wanted him to know that she was there if he should happen to need her.

<Tags: Dominic Evans, Maggie Lefebvre, Ahrima, Zachary Acker>

[Dominic Evans]

1525
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Evans was sat with two seats to himself, although that wasn't enough space as he shifted uncomfortably again. He was fretting about the Wraith DNA problem. Major Eastlyn spoke behind him, trying to put the team at ease,
"Can't say that I'm overjoyed at the thought either, but the good doctors back at the Mountain will let us know either way as soon as possible, you know that. But 'til then, there's nothing we can do so there's no point dwelling on it, yeah? We've got a job to do." Well that kind of helped. He had been slouching but had now sat up straight, too many thoughts flowed through his mind. Carson Beckett's experiments on gene therapy, the Pegasus files and the god awful failure that was 'Michael'. He felt a soft, reassuring voice in his left ear through the gap in the seats. He turned to see a smiling commanding officer,
"It'll be fine, yeah? You'll be fine. Don't worry, Dom. If you worry, I'll worry and that'll just be a mess." He leaned his head back against the seat. It was only words at the end of the day but Dom felt a wave of calm flow over him. He cast a glance down to the other end of the cabin, almost forgetting that Doctor Pandora Banks had joined them on this mission. She was fast asleep slouched over in an arm chair, Evans almost felt jealous. Even with everything they'd learned so far thanks to Doctor Jackson's efforts, he still felt like he had more questions than answers. He decided it was time to at least try and see the inside of his eyelids.
"Goodnight" he said to the rest of the team, "... Mork." He smirked. Chicago's reassurance might just have worked, sleep soon consumed Captain Evans.

_______________


1445
Joint Balad Air Base
Balad, Iraq
Earth

They would be very grateful for whatever shut-eye they had, the flight from the United States to Iraq lasted just over 14 hours, even in a private jet. The time zone difference was enough to mess with the team as it meant that it was just gone 1300 when they'd landed. Dominic tried not look embarrassed regarding his earlier comments about a lights out approach. As if the Air Force would willingly put one of their flagship off-world teams in that situation. From the air, Baghdad hadn't looked remarkably different to Doctor Jackson compared to his prior research visit many years ago. It was only when he noticed what he'd witnessed out of the window that he elicited a quiet 'oh' prompting the rest of the team to take a look for themselves. Many of the landmarks and monuments now lay in piles of rubble. When they landed, they soon realized it was much different to the country currently portrayed on the international news networks. Much worse.

Balad Air Base was one of the nerve centers of the coalition forces in Iraq, and Dominic Evans had done the talking for all seven of them. A flash of his identity and some credentials courtesy on her majesty the Queen was all that was needed to get them an access-all-areas pass, the IOA's influence stretched far and wide. Daniel Jackson could speak in 32 different languages, but he'd never quite gotten the hang of military speak, so he let Evans do the leg work for him and arrange a convoy for immediate departure. The SGC was quite well populated with higher ranking officers, but out here the presence of a Captain and a Major in close proximity turned a few heads. In any case, Evans had the ride arranged in record time, and the team were among the few not visibly surprised to see an archaeologist ace the compulsory qualification to carry a nine millimeter sidearm.

Now, as the armored vehicles passed through the battle scarred streets, where passerbys quickly ducked their heads away from the military presence, there could be no doubt that this was a war zone. Previously the people had been led by fear, now, the fear has been replaced by chaos. Evans was more than aware that all seven of them squeezed in to one Humvee would have been one hell of a tight fit, so he had arranged for two armored transports plus a vanguard vehicle with a full crew on board, just in case. Jackson rode in the first vehicle with Maggie and Major Eastlyn. While Captain Evans rode with Ahrima, Pandora Banks and Zachery in the second. They'd agreed that splitting the CO and the XO across two different vehicles was a good idea, just in case they lost comms during the journey. In order to keep suspicion to a minimum, Pandora had already briefed the commanders at Balad on their cover story. The team were there to investigate the murders, and were part of a joint Mi5 and CIA task force looking into the possibility of bio-weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Naturally, a hot topic like that went down a treat. Pandora had done well playing the part of a CIA big-wig as well. The commanders had asked that the soldiers slightly modify a routine patrol in order to drop the team off safely at the museum without arousing suspicion. Dom couldn't help but stare out of the window at the war torn streets as the convoy rolled on, it was a different world out here.

<Tag Ahrima and Zachary Acker in my vehicle (NPC Pandora if you wish)>
<Tag Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn and Maggie Lefebvre in the other vehicle (NPC Jackson if you wish)>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

1525
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

Maggie wiggled in her chair. Sitting still for a twelve-odd hour plane ride wasn't exactly something she did well. Unless she was PILOTING the thing, of course.

Someone answered her.

A couple hours probably, it’ll be dark when we get there so don’t be surprised if we have to do a lights out approach. Maggie fixed Dominic with a stare. Was he serious?? Night ops were not good...dangerous, and she couldn't flirt, becuase they usually meant all hands needed.

Fantastic.... She muttered to herself, settling in to nap.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1445
Joint Balad Air Base
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Maggie had followed the others off the plane and into a vehicle, with Chicago, and Dr. Jackson. Before they got in, she spoke to the two.

I've had defensive driver's training. I can do it, if you like. They WERE in a war zone, after all. Of course, a pretty blonde might draw the WRONG kind of attention, but then again, it usually did.

Tag: ALL

(Will update when we are ready to move out...does Chicago wanna drive, since she's the boss?)

[Ahrima]

1525
Aircraft: C-20 Jet
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Earth

"I understand. I imagine that's sort of what I experience everytime I go up for an Admiral's Mast. That's where I get into trouble..."

Ahrima's brow furrowed slightly. She didn't understand the ceremony of which Maggie was speaking. She was tempted to appease her curiosity and ask, but thought better of it. Besides, the woman's curiosity about moving through the Chappa 'ai had been appeased. There was little need to continue to belabor the point, especially if they were now talking about references that Ahrima did not understand.

"We don't have that program in France, but yes. I understand that, as well. Most French people are protrayed in the media as hypersexed, Galoise-smoking artists, but we're so much more than that."

Ahrima slowly nodded. "Very well," she said. "I shall refrain from making judgement on all Tau'ri based on your television programming." It was the least she could do, but she still didn't understand why the Tau'ri made such ridiculous programming if it was in no way representative of the truth. The Tau'ri were truly strange people.

"Goodnight," Evans said to the rest of the team, "... Mork."

Ahrima looked over in the Captain's direction, her brow furrowing slightly. "When you awake, we will have to discuss the appropriateness of alternative designations," she said.

---

1448
50 miles from Baghad
Balad, Iraq
Earth

As they arrived in Iraq, Ahrima rose from her seat. As Daniel Jackson moved past her, his eyes glanced at the emblem on Ahrima's forehead. It was a nonverbal cue that signaled to Ahrima the precautions she needed to take to conceal the mark of Artemis. She had been given headband that matched the dark fatigues that she had been offered as well. Sliding it into place beneath her hair, she turned in his direction for a momentary inspection. With a slight nod, Ahrima proceeded to follow the rest of the team off of the plane.

As they moved along the base, Ahrima admittedly felt rather comfortable there. She had spent a great deal of her life among warriors, and to be here with a slight air of danger in the air seemed more familiar to her than many places of the Tau'ri. She listened as Major Eastlyn and Captain Evans gave out the vehicle assignments. Having yet to be trained in the operation of Tau'ri vehicles, especially a vehicle as primitive as this, she followed Acker's example and entered the rear of the vehicle while Doctor Banks took a seat in the from of the vehicle near Captain Evans.

TAG: Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Dominic Evans, Zachary Acker, Maggie Lefebvre, Pandora Banks

[Jason Conway]

1448
50 miles from Baghad
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Jackson had taken up a seat in the passenger side of the middle vehicle with Maggie and Chicago. The commanding officer had slid into the backseat while the French woman had volunteered to drive, not wishing to curb her excitement, he gestured that she go ahead. The vehicles were theirs to do as they pleased with for the time being after all. The convoy trundled at a steady pace through the war torn streets. The vanguard of soldiers manning the 50 cal in the first vehicle were visually sweeping and clearing the route of minor roadblocks. The vehicle behind Jackson's car was driven by Captain Evans and carried the rest of the team plus Doctor Banks. They'd agreed for the sake of their mission to dub their targets, the ones possibly using the 'bio-chemical weapons', as "The Cult of Lillith". Quite accurate if you believed the reports they'd had to date. The thought of an organized group of succubi or incubi, Wraith-like creatures, finding their way to Iraq concerned Daniel somewhat. He'd wondered if the hybrid creatures possessed more than the feeding-like ability, if they possessed the ability to gain information through the process as well - just like the Wraith. The consequences could be disastrous, how deep within the web of modern day humanity did this all go? Were they already too late? Ten millennium too late maybe...

The only noise was the crunching of the Humvee's tyres over the rocky road surface, Jackson spoke to break the silence,
"You know, It's okay to be concerned, Captain Evans has a valid point." He sensed quizzical eyes on him, "Part of the reason I wanted to travel to the museum is to confirm something I'd feared. They call it 'The Awakening'. An extract of the Lillith doctrine that appeared to be a direct reference to activating the genes responsible for the retrovirus in the general population." Aware that these words would worry the team he continued, "Of course that can't have happened just yet or we'd be seeing victims without any ritualized behavior or cover-ups. They already know where the 'gate is... It's more likely that the Cult are looking for something in addition to the Stargate. I have a sneaking suspicion we may already know what that is." Finding the Stargate was only half the battle, finding the right address was a very different proposition. It went some way to explaining the deaths elsewhere in the world, not just Colorado but Germany, Australia and New Zealand.
And Baghdad.

<Tag SM-1>

[Maggie Lefebvre]

1448
50 miles from Baghad
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Maggie's gaze shifted to Ahrima.

Very well...I shall refrain from making judgement on all Tau'ri based on your television programming Maggie nodded.

And I will refrain from calling you Mork. Or ALF. Or ET, for that matter. Maggie then busied herself with her compact; just because she was going to the desert, it was no excuse not to look her best. After all, she could meet a hot alien, right? She fixed her lipstick, and then replaced the compact in her day pack. Maggie always kept a makeup kit in her day pack-against every single regulation of every single Navy on Earth that she knew of-but she didn't care.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maggie put on some sunnies as she took the drivers' seat. She turned to her companions, and with a big smile, she admonished them.

Get in, sit down, and hang on. Maggie drove like she flew-the faster, the better and always up for a dogfight.

She pushed the pedal as they sped towards thier destination. In her head, Mags assumed the role of a '50's movie star-patterend scarf blowing in the wind, and a cigarette in a long, enamled cigarette holder, with Billie Holliday blaring on the radio. Her blonde hair would be cut into a fashionable bob, and at her side would be a hot GI, fresh home from Korea, and in need of a getaway with a playful, sexy bombshell.

Her reverie was broken by Dr. Jackson, as he spoke aloud.

You know, It's okay to be concerned, Captain Evans has a valid point...Part of the reason I wanted to travel to the museum is to confirm something I'd feared. They call it 'The Awakening'. An extract of the Lillith doctrine that appeared to be a direct reference to activating the genes responsible for the retrovirus in the general population. Maggie rose an eyebrow, as china-blue eyes were set on the man. Of course that can't have happened just yet or we'd be seeing victims without any ritualized behavior or cover-ups. They already know where the 'gate is... It's more likely that the Cult are looking for something in addition to the Stargate. I have a sneaking suspicion we may already know what that is. Maggie looked at him fully.

Enlighten me, please, Doctor. She sighed. She had a feeling she didn't WANT to know.

Tag:Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, @danieljackson

[Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn]

1448 approx
50 miles from Baghdad
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Chicago lifted up the brim of her cap a little so it didn't obstruct her view as much. It was tempting to turn it backwards or remove it altogether, but it was keeping that gosh darn sun of her face and out of her eyes (mostly), so needs must. "Alright, let's roll out. The sooner we get there, the better." It wasn't hard to tell that this mission was getting to everybody in some degree.

Aviators shielded her bright blue eyes from the sun while she turned her head to the window, taking note of their surroundings as Maggie directed their vehicle - quite fearlessly - towards their destination. The Major had happily taken a seat in the back of the car - it kept her hands free to hold her weapon. Just in case, right?

Words spoken in the front section of the car washed over her, but Chicago couldn't say she was actively listening - more like filtering it all through and then filing it away subconciously. She'd always been good at that. Their drive continued this way until something Dr. Jackson said caught her attention, "....'The Awakening'. An extract of the Lillith doctrine that appeared to be a direct reference to activating the genes responsible for the retrovirus in the general population." Fantastic. Just fantastic. A frown was about to permanently settle itself on Roo's face, but Jackson continued on. She had to concede that, yes, it was something that people weren't just turning up all over the place, obvious victims of attacks - but the potential was still there for the general populace to be mass murdered, or become Wraith hybrids or whatever, or somesuch other nightmare.

"Enlighten me, please, Doctor." Dr Jackson turned to look at Maggie, though she was driving and couldn't hold eye contact for long. "Well..what's the point of finding the pay phone if you don't already have the correct number to dial? It would be a waste of money, energy, resources and time."[/b] Roo turned away from the passing scenery of Baghdad to face Jackson for a moment as things shifted around in her brain while she tried to get it all straight. "They're looking for a 'Gate address." Daniel shifted in his seat. "Yes. Yes they are."

------

1535
Outside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

The remainder of their ride passed silently for Roo - after their conversation with Dr Jackson, she didn't have much at all to say so she had opted to stay silent until Maggie slowed to a stop behind the first car of their convoy.

The immediate surrounds of the Museum were quiet as the convoy pulled up and people spilled out of their vehicles. They had the place all to themselves, so it should (in theory) make it fairly easy to get in, let Jackson and Banks do their thing and then get out again.

Roo allowed herself a moment, spinning slowly on the heel of her boot, casing the surroundings. Giving a nod to herself, she turned to face the Marines that had emptied themselves out of the first car. "You guys set up a perimeter around the Museum, no one in or out that's not one of us that's heading inside the building in a minute, am I clear? No one."

Walking back to her people, Chicago spoke in an effort to get them moving quickly, "Alrighty then, I want everyone to hustle around Jackson and Banks and lets get them into the building ASAP...as in right now. Let's go."

------

1537
Inside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Now they were at least inside the building, Chicago found it abit easier to remember to breathe. Facing her team and the two civilians (yes Zach was a civilian, but he was a still a member of her team), she took a breath and then began. "I don't think I need to tell you that Jackson and Banks are our priority - anythin' goes south, getting them out safely is top priority." She paused a second to let that sink in. "So here's how it's gonna go. Just like when we were entering - exiting and movin' through the Museum - Daniel, Pandora and Zach will be in the middle. Myself and Lefebvre will stay in front while Evans and Ahrima will take up the rear and watch our sixes. Now we're in here and movin' about, I want every exit to any room we're in covered. I'll be on doctor duty, they can get what they need and we'll leave again. Any questions?"

<Tags: Dominic Evans, Maggie Lefebvre, Ahrima, Zachary Acker, Pandora Banks and Daniel Jackson>

[Dominic Evans]

1539
Inside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

The teams formed up as Chicago had ordered, and you had to admire her leadership. Evans had his initial doubts that the jar-heads in the vanguard vehicle wouldn't listen to her and this would be a long drawn-out process where SM-1 would have to establish authority with the local units, but that was not the case. It all worked like a well oiled machine, just the way the military was supposed to. Now that they had successfully hustled Banks and Jackson inside, their work could begin.
"So here's how it's gonna go. Just like when we were entering - exiting and movin' through the Museum - Daniel, Pandora and Zach will be in the middle. Myself and Lefebvre will stay in front while Evans and Ahrima will take up the rear and watch our sixes. Now we're in here and movin' about, I want every exit to any room we're in covered. I'll be on doctor duty, they can get what they need and we'll leave again. Any questions?"
Major Eastlyn declared. Being team Executive Officer, Dom didn't wait around to ask questions, he quickly assumed his position with Ahrima, dropping back to cover the rear flank. He made sure that the enormous oak door was firmly shut behind them and pulled the safety bar back down to lock in place.

The main hall was empty and their boots echoed as they made their way across the tiled floors. Evans could see Jackson looking around in all directions, this was probably a nice little trip down memory lane for the SG-1 legend. The illusions of grandeur vanished as the team turned a corner and found most of the adjoining hallways sealed shut with concrete, no doubt an attempt to protect the priceless treasures within from looting. Evans couldn't help but a feel a pang of sympathy for the Iraqi people, now completely separated from their cultural heritage. A further turned corner revealed a small office set off to one side of the main corridor. The label on the door read, 'Tariq Zahwas, Museum Director'. Inside the cramped space, a small gray-haired man with a thick mustache flitted back and forth among stacks of books and artifacts, he appeared to be in a hurry and dropped some documents into a cardboard box on his desk.

Evans observed Daniel Jackson politely knock at the partially open door. The delight in Tariq's voice could not be concealed,
"Doctor Jackson? Is that you!? You look so very different! The hair..." He rolled his eyes as the customary greetings continued, glancing at Ahrima who stood a little further down the corridor with him, he wondered what she thought of this. Did her people ever have museums? What would they make of it if they were sealed off with concrete like this? Dominic was brought back to attention as Tariq spoke to Daniel,
"Come. We have time for a coffee. You can tell me all about what has happened over these many years. As for me..." He gestured to the books surrounding him, "You know what there is to know."
"Apparently not all of it." Daniel answered quietly. Evans butted in,
"Sir, our orders are to bring you here and then straight back to base. We can't allow you to go out onto the streets, it's too risky."
"That was not my intention!" Replied the Museum Director, "I know that the streets these days are unsafe for anyone, let alone an American!" He smiled. Tariq reached down between two stacks of paperwork and produced two mugs. Evans sighed and resumed his post with Ahrima. They would be here for some time.


1554
Inside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Enough time passed for coffee. Doctor Banks had found a very old looking book that had clearly captured her interest, while Zach was busying himself with an ancient Persian suit or armor. Maggie Lefebvre was... Well, Maggie was being Maggie. Evans stood, centurion like, outside the office next to Ahrima and Eastlyn, making sure he kept a watchful eye over all of them while the two historians talked. He overhead a few things during the conversation. They'd discussed the war and how it had affected the museum archives, something about moving a great deal of artifacts to a secure bunker. The talk drifted to looted museums, missing scrolls and the new regime. Evans also heard Tariq mention that some of his staff had recently been killed with chemical weapons, apparently blamed on the Americans. He suppressed his concern as Daniel skillfully battered the subject away. He looked to Chicago to make sure she had been listening... The cult were here too.

"Of course, I will do my best to assist." Tariq then said as the door re-opened enough for the team to hear clearly, "What is it you seek?"
"The original Sumerian King List and the Gilgamesh." Daniel said, getting to the point, "They were initially found with manuscripts whose dates never made sense."
"I recall cataloging those items for storage. The fact that no one has ever been able to translate the unique writing seemed significant." Oh yes, those were the tablets they were after. "A facility in Ramadi holds these pieces. I can show you how to find them. How you reach Ramadi... In that, I cannot help you." Evans felt the entire team's morale drop a little more. This mission was getting to them. He saw Banks look up from her book, Maggie's smile faded and Zach had even stopped examining the armor. Ahrima, of course, seemed un-phased by this news. Evans explained,
"Ramadi is about ninety miles from Baghdad. To get there, we'd have to go through Fallujah. Currently, one of the most hostile environments on Earth." He was starting to really resent the General's reluctance to allow them to take a jumper. 
"There are over two hundred containers in that location. Here, let me find the catalog number of the one you need..." Tariq and Jackson disappeared back into the tiny office again. Evans slowly released a sigh and leaned back against the wall.

<Tag Ahrima Zachary Acker Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn and Maggie Lefebvre>

OOC: Sorry, I got carried away with the length and enjoyed myself a little...

[Maggie Lefebvre]

1449-ish
Near Baghdad, Iraq
Earth, yo

As Maggie sped along, probably drawing more attention than was either good or necessary, given the circumstances that found them in Baghdad to begin with, Dr. Jackson filled her in. She listened as best she could, forcing herself to focus on the man's words instead of thinking about shopping in Baghdad's upscale Bagdat Ave., a gem of a place she'd discovered doing an op once. Instead, this Dr. Jackson was speaking, and so she listened over the satisifying roar of the engine.

Well..what's the point of finding the pay phone if you don't already have the correct number to dial? It would be a waste of money, energy, resources and time. She considered. Not much was a waste of time, money or energy for Maggie...most things wound up being awesome if you were spontaneous enough to go with it. On the other hand, she supposed that most people didn't live flying on the seat of their pants.

Right... She nodded a bit. From the backseat, Chicago spoke up.

hey're looking for a 'Gate address. Suddenly, Maggie understood. Well, that went downhill fast. She pulled up to the location they were to meet at as Dr. Jackson confirmed.

Yes. Yes they are. Well. Crap. What now? She killed the engine, and looked up. A museum? What genius thought it was a good idea for HER to be at a museum?? She sighed, and climbed out of the Jeep, tucking her sunglasses into her collar as though it was a necklace, the shades dangling like a pendant.

--------------------------------------------------
1554
Inside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Alrighty then, I want everyone to hustle around Jackson and Banks and lets get them into the building ASAP...as in right now. Let's go. Huddling up with Dr. Jackson?! Sure thing! She liked this job already! She moved close to the man, hopefully not creepy-close, though, and waited for further orders. Once inside, Chicago issued them.

I don't think I need to tell you that Jackson and Banks are our priority - anythin' goes south, getting them out safely is top priority...So here's how it's gonna go. Just like when we were entering - exiting and movin' through the Museum - Daniel, Pandora and Zach will be in the middle. Myself and Lefebvre will stay in front while Evans and Ahrima will take up the rear and watch our sixes. Now we're in here and movin' about, I want every exit to any room we're in covered. I'll be on doctor duty, they can get what they need and we'll leave again. Any questions? Uh, yeah..why was Maggie always the bait? She looked down. Oh, yeah, her boobs. Right. She nodded, and then got into position. Like it wasn't going to be obvious; a lot of Westerners moving around an Iraqi compound in military precision. Riiiiggght.

Eventually, they stopped outside of a small office, where Maggie assumed Operation Nerd Rescue would take place. She fell back a bit, against a wall, and prepared to be very bored. Maybe she could convince the Major to let her get the team some Turkish coffee. There had to be some around here somewhere.

Tag: Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Ahrima, Zachary Acker, Dominic Evans, @all!!

[Ahrima]

1554
Inside the National Museum
Balad, Iraq
Earth

Standing sentry was actually something Ahrima was all too familiar with. It had proven to be a common practice during her time in Artemis' Honor Guard. She stood still and vigilant outside of the office as Daniel Jackson conversed with this Tariq Zahwas who appeared to be very knowledgeable about the content they researching. Ahrima could their words, many of them familiar as Doctor Jackson had said them on he plane ride here. When she wasn't focusing on their words, her attention were on the other members of SM-1. The Tau'ri didn't appear to be nearly as disciplined in standing guard. She notices the slight fidgets and shifting of their weight. She could only think that her former training master would not have stood for such anarchy for very long.

"I recall cataloging those items for storage. The fact that no one has ever been able to translate the unique writing seemed significant. A facility in Ramadi holds these pieces. I can show you how to find them. How you reach Ramadi... In that, I cannot help you."

Ahrima noticed the tension seem to rise after the last words that Tariq had spoken. It made no sense to her. The man had just told them where they could find where they were searching for. Granted, it would have been more efficient had he told them that twenty minutes ago, but they were now that much closer to completing their objective. Captain Evans move a little closer and chose that moment to enlighten Ahrima regarding the information that she was clearly missing.

"Ramadi is about ninety miles from Baghdad. To get there, we'd have to go through Fallujah. Currently, one of the most hostile environments on Earth."

The reaction of her teammates began to make a bit more sense. She took a few seconds and nodded as she began to process their meaning. "Then it is up to us to act as peace-makers," Ahrima said matter-of-factly. Her hand gripped her weapon tightly. It wasn't that she was looking for a fight, but she had absolutely no intention of running from one either.

TAG: Chicago "Roo" Eastlyn, Dominic Evans, Maggie Lefebvre, Zachary Acker,  Daniel Jackson, Pandora Banks