Episode Six - Out in the Storm

[Ethan Collins]

1124
Forest
Meropis

Ethan had been moving quite slowly but the feeling of the storm was dissipating somewhat, perhaps he was getting sued to it, but when he got a free bit of sky it was missing at least directly around him, the usual parts of a storm were missing, they must have been in the eye of it, not that he had known it was a hurricane, the Jumper's sensors hadn't been that accurate and well he would admit to himself, he had volunteered without a full understanding of the situation.

The Captain began to move faster, he figured it was only a matter of time before the storm came back. He jogged his head still throbbing from the impact with the ground as he also scanned the storm with the life signs detector, it seemed what was about to hit them was beyond the range of the small device, while what had just been over them had been high, it had still been within the devices range if barely.  

As he continued on he saw movement through the trees he kept moving, it was the group at a distance, he dared not go any faster staying on his feet right now was hard enough, any faster and he'd go sprawling into the dirt. Yet closer he found someone he didn't expect to be where they were, it was Staff Sergeant Bakshi and she was curled up alone away from the group.

He moved close and finally the probable concussion got the better of him he fell down next to her. "Staff Sergent?" He said getting back up and reaching for the strap on the top back of her vest, it wasn't a nice thing to do but if he had to drag her back he would "Come one We have to go!". He looked up as he looped his finger around the strap someone was calling for them. "CAPTAIN COLLINS? JAYA?"  He ungraciously pulled Jaya with him. (Either dragged or to her feet) "Doctor Black!" he called back as he fell again, that fall was really starting to cost him, as they moved into the clearing the Koan village 'had' been in he looked to where the others were going towards and made sure he and Bakshi headed in that direction.

<TAG: Jaya Bakshi, Michael Black, Fiona Maccafferty, William Treaty, Gijs de Vos, Finnbar Kennedy>

[Jaya Bakshi]

1126
Forest
Meropis

Jaya found Collins. He was a mess, too. He'd fallen-she assumed, 'cause his pants were all wet and she didn't imagine he'd peed himself, being an officer and a guy and all. This whole THING was a mess, actually. She stirred to life, squinting against the light. But the dream had been nice; she missed her Baba and she supposed her mother, too. And her sisters, even Pinky. The short dregs of her dream still stayed with her; the family was in Amritsa, visiting her father's family. Her cousin, Balraj, had commented on her family. Four daughters? Brahma has blessed you four times.[/color] Bamhra Bakshi might disagree; having three teenaged daughters, and one close enough, was enough to drive any father, no matter how doting, to the edges of sanity. Jaya and her sisters were no different; just the other day, Lakhi had turned up for dinner in a crop top and jeans that showed her stomach. Jaya was sure that her father would have a heart attack.

It was gone as quickly as it had come as Collins quickly and forcefully pulled her to her feet and led her towards the clearing.

Um, ow! With all due respect, Captain, I can WALK. What was the MATTER with everyone? They were all acting like total weirdos, even for nerds. She heard someone calling for them. It sounded like Stevens. Sure enough, the redhead, flanked by the two scientists from the Labs, Black and Fiona or something, and the medic, Petty Officer Treaty. She made a face; THIS was thier rescue team?! Like HELL was she going to go ANYWHERE with two people who had just 1) violated orders, and 2) had zero knowledge of military workings.

She looked to Collins.

You're not actually going to FOLLOW them, are you? She let out a sigh. There were too many men in charge here. Where was Captain Miller when a girl needed her?!

Tag:Gijs de Vos, Ethan Collins, @michaelblack, @me x2, William Treaty, @koan, plottwist and whomever else I missed. There was someone.

[Almeda]

1125
Forest
Meropis

Almeda had been wondering around the woods for several hours now. Her memories of the last few hours where jumbled up, she wasn't sure if it was the storm or a program which she had only recently suppressed retaking control of her body from it. She was having trouble fighting for control over several of her own systems. Major Repairs and her adaptability systems where down for sure, which made traversing throw the storm that much more dangerous for her. Though at this point she was second guessing leaving what little shelter she had back in the caves, to make sure that whoever was in the jumper she detected was save from the massive radiation yet to come. The people who had been occupying Meropis were nice people and she would regret not helping them in such times of need.

She could detect the group not to far from her current position. As she came into sight of the group she could see them moving into shelter inside a near by cave. She quickly ran throw several possible outcome, to gauge if there was a better solution. 'If the cave goes deep enough or if lined with a handful of materials they have a much greater chance then hiding, wait why did I over look the number of life signs' she thought running the numbers several times. Her eyes then noticing the ruins of the village that sat their hours earlier. She then heard "Um, ow! With all due respect, Captain, I can WALK. Your're not actually going to FOLLOW them, are you?".

She began walking with a purpose towards the two, she didn't want to seem hostile towards them and the storm would be back upon them in only a few moments. "Miss your chances of actually surviving the remainder of this storm out here is 1%, I would suggest finding shelter in the cave with everyone else." Almeda states.

<Tag:Gijs de Vos, Ethan Collins, Michael black, william Treaty, Plotwist, Fiona Maccafferty, everyone else>

[Michael Black]

1132
Koan Caves, Forest
Meropis

The distant roar of the other side of the hurricane could be heard, like the sound of the apocalypse floating slowly toward them, not a care what it swept up in it's path. The city was now well and truly hidden beneath the enormous dark mass that was moving toward them. Black, Fiona and Stevens had all reached the cave entrance carrying De Vos between them. Treaty and Finn were crouched down behind a rock within the entrance, seemingly scared of not only the storm but also the Koan whose over sized claws and arms dragged down beside them as they ducked into the tunnel. Black turned to look back out into the forest, glancing over the shoulders of several dozen Koan who were gently shuffling their way down into the darkness, into safety.
"Doctor Black!" could be heard, it was Ethan Collins! Michael looked out to see the Captain and Jaya making their way quickly toward the cave entrance. Jaya stopped short of the rear part of the herd of Koan pushing past Fi and Michael and seemed almost to want to stamp her feet in defiance.
"You're not actually going to FOLLOW them, are you?" she started toward Captain Collins. She was then rudely interrupted as a figure stepped forward from between the trees. Michael almost keeled over in shock.

"Miss your chances of actually surviving the remainder of this storm out here is 1%, I would suggest finding shelter in the cave with everyone else." Almeda stated quite matter-of-factually to Jaya Bakshi. Doctor Black was glad it wasn't just him that found this new development a bit hard to follow. The android, still wearing the same clothes she'd been placed into stasis with, had somehow navigated her way out into the forest to find the group. Black tried to process this. Of course, she had placed herself into stasis shortly after Dorane had appeared and informed the group he had created her to serve him. Perhaps, and stay with me here Michael, it was possible that Dorane had somehow lied? Michael had amused himself. Shaking his head he decided to communicate these ideas to the others, especially Fi,
"I was right all along, Almeda was created by the ancients and not Dorane!" He beamed, Fi just stared at him and he became aware of how irrelevant that statement was in the current situation, "Well you see, she placed herself into stasis - perhaps to avoid the threat that she realized Dorane posed - so it stands to reason that once the coast was clear, she then removed herself from stasis. She must have subroutines monitoring the cities systems all the time, even when her conscious AI isn't active... She is simply, wonderful!" He exclaimed, outstretching his arms toward the android and almost knocking over a tiny Koan that squawked back at him in annoyance.
"She must have realized we were in danger and made her way out here. Now," he stepped forward holding out a hand toward Almeda, who analyzed it but refused to shake it, "Almeda, is there a way to get back to your lab using these caves? Is it safe?" He asked, flicking a glance toward the approaching weather front. The leaves were beginning to stir again and the calm was slowly descending once more. They had no choice about getting into the Koan's shelter, but perhaps now they had a way home... A way to save the Koan, Michael thought.

<tag Finnbar Kennedy William Treaty Fiona Maccafferty Almeda Jaya Bakshi Ethan Collins Gijs de Vos Izzy Stevens>

[Jaya Bakshi]

1135
Koan Caves, Forest
Meropis

After Collins let go of her, she straightened her uniform, and let out a sigh. She drew her sidearm, just in case, and took a place behind him, slightly, to keep an eye on the Koan-and the renegade scientists. If she wound up in the Brig because of this, or something, she was going to be REALLY mad.

Collins called out for Black, who was following the Koan creatures into a cave, followed by the two redheads-the trio had de Vos, and by all accounts, they could save him better out of the wind and rain. She sighed, and started forward to follow the rest of these stupidheads into the cave of unknown-and certain-death when a familiar but odd figure came into view.

Miss your chances of actually surviving the remainder of this storm out here is 1%, I would suggest finding shelter in the cave with everyone else. She raised her firearm; wasn't this bot or whatever supposed to be, like, dead?!

My orders are to escort Drs. Black and Maccafferty back to base, along with Nurse Stevens. If we go now, we can make it before the storm gets worse. If we go into that cave, there is no TELLING what will happen. I might have a 1% chance out HERE, but in there, I stand NO chance. I think those things will eat me. She said, her tone even. She wasn't upset, just simply sure.

She heard Dr. Black go on about stasis pods and a few more things that she'd only heard about in bad scifi movies, and then he said something else.

She must have realized we were in danger and made her way out here... Fine. Jaya lowered her sidearm slightly, and looked to Collins. If he were going to change orders, he needed to do that, and NOW, or else she was going to go all shooty-things on someone.

Tag:Ethan Collins, @almeda, @me, William Treaty, Michael Black.

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1137
Forest
Meropis

Fee noted that the time was ticking on. They hadn't much of it left, actually, and Michael was standing about, acting the pisser. He DID help her and Izzy bring the downed Lt. de Vos to the cave, but after that, he was as much use as a chocolate teapot! She might have been feeling like she enjoyed his company more than other peoples', but he was a nutter.

From behind them, they heard the voice of Captain Collins and Jaya Bakshi. Jaya was less impressed with the Koan than Michael, and was making that point clear. At that moment, something strange happened. Almeda appeared!

Miss your chances of actually surviving the remainder of this storm out here is 1%, I would suggest finding shelter in the cave with everyone else. Fee glanced at Michael, who seemed rather pleased with himself. Bloody hell. He looked her, smiling.

I was right all along, Almeda was created by the ancients and not Dorane! Really?! THIS is what he chose to get excited about?! She put a hand on her hip, but remained silent, waiting for him to say something brilliant to make up for that stupid moment. Well you see, she placed herself into stasis - perhaps to avoid the threat that she realized Dorane posed - so it stands to reason that once the coast was clear, she then removed herself from stasis. She must have subroutines monitoring the cities systems all the time, even when her conscious AI isn't active... She is simply, wonderful! Fiona failed to see the "wonderfulness" of the situation, but at least he made sense. Mayhaps Dorane had fooled them all-a feeling that left Fee cold. She was generally good at reading people, her gut was about as close to infallible as you could get. He went on, and suddenly, she realized he had two motives-to save them AND the Koan. What was he DOING with these beasts?! What did he see in them?

She must have realized we were in danger and made her way out here. Now, Almeda, is there a way to get back to your lab using these caves? Is it safe? Fee took his hand suddenly. If they were going to follow an adroid to some random caves under a city that no one knew much about, she was going to do it with the only person she felt safe with out here since Aear was gone. For now, that was Michael.

Jaya, if Michael says this is the only way, it IS. Captain, you can trust him. I do...and Almeda. Almeda...lead the way. She smiled lightly at Alemda and Michael. She just hoped she was right about him, and that he was right about this.

Tag:Almeda, Gijs de Vos, @me, William Treaty, Ethan Collins, etc.

[Michael Black]

1144
Cave Network
Somewhere Beneath Meropis

"Jaya, if Michael says this is the only way, it IS. Captain, you can trust him. I do... and Almeda. Almeda... lead the way," Fee said defiantly. Michael's eyebrows raised slightly, his mouth fell open a little and his heartbeat quickened. What was this he was feeling? He felt doughy eyed and warm. Fee was placing such trust in him, even going so far as to support him against the orders of one of the military officers. He clutched her hand tightly as the group began to shuffle off into the darkness. He was couldn't find his torch on him but others seemed to light up the way with weapon mounted gear around them, being careful to shine it away from the sensitive eyes of the Koan.

Michael found it odd that little Almeda was leading them to safety after suddenly making an appearance the way she had. Of course, he was very grateful, without her they'd almost all certainly be dead by now. He rubbed the side of his head as a slight tension headache began but dismissed it as he realized the plan was working. The storm was probably sweeping past the cave entrance now and out there the radiation was bound to be as fierce as ever, more than likely fatal in such an unexposed environment. As the group descended further down into bowels of the Earth, Michael began to wonder exactly what was in these rocks that was keeping the radiation at bay so well - he made a mental note to follow that one up later, in the comforts of what Fee called "the boring zone".

Within minutes they'd made steady progress, the light from the entrance of the cave was completely gone and judging by the weight of the darkness and the smell of damp around them, they were now deep within the tunnel network that existed like an ant's nest beneath the city. Michael didn't know exactly how Almeda knew her way around down here but he trusted that she did and wasn't leading them astray on purpose, something about her seemed almost too innocent to do anything other than help. The group trampled on in silence for the first few minutes before Michael decided to break the silence with a bit of humour,
"Are we there yet?" he leaned and whispered to what he hoped was the top of Fee's head. The group began to climb a steady upwards slope now, they were almost home...

<tag Fiona Maccafferty Almeda Ethan Collins Jaya Bakshi Gijs de Vos Finnbar Kennedy>

[Ethan Collins]

1126-1145
Forest and Caves
Meropis

In most cases hauling female staff sergeants to their feet wasn't exactly the right thing to do, however they were on a different planet and in a bad way, besides he wasn't going to get them killed on his first mission in this galaxy, however the lading in that ditch had given him a doozey of a head ache and most probably a mild concussion. "Um, ow! With all due respect, Captain, I can WALK." He let go of her but kept a hand on the middle back of her vest. "Well we need to be running." They kept moving but a very unfamiliar at least in appearance person came towards them. "You're not actually going to FOLLOW them, are you?" "We need to get back to the city and I don't think anyone could pilot a jumper is what is about to hit us again." He said as they 

"Miss your chances of actually surviving the remainder of this storm out here is 1%, I would suggest finding shelter in the cave with everyone else." The android stated, he wondered who the hell she was.  "My orders are to escort Drs. Black and Maccafferty back to base, along with Nurse Stevens. If we go now, we can make it before the storm gets worse. If we go into that cave, there is no TELLING what will happen. I might have a 1% chance out HERE, but in there, I stand NO chance. I think those things will eat me."

"being under the cities shield is the only thing that can save us... and for the short term these caves might prolong our survival, we don't exactly have a choice." 

As they move into the cave system Dr Black went on about how the Android the one he and Bakshi had just met wasn't created by one Dorane, a manipulative almost goa'uld like person, it was interesting how we weren't as different from the Goa'uld as we had liked to believe. It was then the Irish woman spoke up. "Jaya, if Michael says this is the only way, it IS. Captain, you can trust him. I do...and Almeda. Almeda...lead the way." "We just need to get back to the City otherwise we are all dead, if I could still fly the jumper We would be leaving them behind," He didn't like it, but he didn't like having people out in a dangerous storm. "But courtesy of some vivid hallucinations We get to do the morally right thing, lets just not die in the process I hadn't planned that for today. " He flicked the torch of the P90 on, it was a little skew if but it worked so the day seemed to be turning around. He walked past most of the others and next to Drs Black and Maccafferty but behind the Android Almeda.

<TAG:All you people at a later time, tag service dead.>

[Izzy Stevens]

1126-1145
Forest and Caves
Meropis

Izzy pulled DeVos by the boots deeper into the cave; they needed some space. She and Treaty still worked rapidly but with less urgency. DeVos had stablizied-lower than she'd like, but stable for now. His breath was shallow-she hadn't realized that the branch had hit him with such force. THAT, or Marines were bigger weenies than she'd formerly believed.

She and Treaty kept up the back and forth.

Scissors? Treaty handed her the shears. Gauze. She handed him the roll, and so on for a few minutes while the rest of them debated the smartness of going into the cave. After several moments, Izzy lost her cool for a moment, and raised her voice to Captain Collins, the senior member of the team now.

Captain Collins, Sir. With due respect, if you could spare Sgt. Bakshi or else yourself, I could use more light. She indicated a flashlight, which she needed to see in order to sew up a deep cut on the Lt's. left leg. It was dark in this cavern, and also smelled vaguely of a wet dog, but she didn't mind if she could work without interruption.

Her words seemed to bring the other four into the caves, too, and Sgt. Bakshi dutifully picked up the flashlight that Izzy indicated. The medic smiled lightly at the woman, and then went back to her work without another word.

Tag:Ethan Collins, Gijs de Vos, @michaelblack, @mex3, @almeda, William Treaty, @was there someone else?!

[Jaya Bakshi]

1129
Forest
Meropis

She had lowered her weapon, but she was still not ready to retreat just yet.

Well we need to be running....We need to get back to the city and I don't think anyone could pilot a jumper is what is about to hit us again. She didn't know about THAT; she was US Military, she was supposed to fly things in storms, and sail through tsunamis, and fight through desert heat. But she sighed, and shrugged as they entered the clearing.

Yes, sir. Her tone was flat, but the look on her face let him know she was NOT happy.

After a moment of noise, the others moved forward

Jaya, if Michael says this is the only way, it IS. Captain, you can trust him. I do... and Almeda. Almeda... lead the way[/color]
being under the cities shield is the only thing that can save us... and for the short term these caves might prolong our survival, we don't exactly have a choice.[/color] She let out a sigh and holstered her weapon. She supposed that being in a cave, disobeying orders, WAS preferable to death.

She followed the group in to the cave, and stopped only for a moment to set up a flashlight for Doc Stevens, before following the others towards a staircase. If they got in trouble, Collins was the senior one now, and she'd TOTALLY blame him!

Tag:@michaelblack, @me, Ethan Collins, Gijs de Vos, @almeda

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1145
Forest/caves
Meropis

He was brilliant. Dotty as you please, most certainly, but brilliant nonetheless. He'd figured out this is where they should be, and it WAS!

They followed along behind Almeda; possibly the only two of this team not too taken aback that she'd appeared out the blue. Fee had studied Astrophysics-she knew about the latent potentiality of all things. Therefore, there was the possibility that Almeda hadn't died, simply taken on another form of energy. At least, that's what she was telling herself so she could hang on to her sanity for a bit longer. She suspected that, by now, Michael had more or less taken the "aliens do things we don't expect" mindset, and that was why HE hadn't been too freaked out.

He took her hand in his; it was obvious to her own hand. It felt hot, and she she felt her stomach do a somersault. They moved past the doctors, working hard to get DeVos to hang on until they could return with help. They passed a group of Koan who seemed to NOD at Michael as they passed. It sort of reminded her of that episode of Firefly, where the feckless and violent Jayne Cobb had returned to his planet, and was famous for leading the townspeople in a riot. Hopefully, Micheal would NOT be leading the Koan into a riot, but still.

Michael leaned over, and whispered to her,near the top of her head instead of her ear, given the height difference.

Are we there yet? She made a face; one that he probably couldn't see well in the dark.

I haven't a balding. Me da used to say that if you're bored, you're doing the devil's work. I would assume you'd know better than I, being friends with the Koan and all. If my memory is working-I am not sure how much the radiation has bothered me-then we're nearing the lower labs. Which would take them to the main Base, to safety, warmth, and whatever wrath waited them in the General's office. She turned to Collins.

Captain Collins, sir. I am sorry we left the base, but thank you for coming out after us, though it WAS unnecessary; we ARE geniuses, after all. We'd have been fine. Besides, you couldn't have survived Fee's life without knowing a thing or two about making it on your own.

Tag:Michael Black , Ethan Collins, @me, William Treaty , Almeda, Gijs de Vos , @koans

[Michael Black]

1146
Caves Beneath City
Meropis

Almeda had done it again! Michael watched as the little android climbed the ladder in front of them and opened a small hatch. She hauled herself through and ushered for the others to follow. One by one the humans began to climb up and through the hole, leaving the Koan to settle down into the cave below. Michael instantly recognized where they were, and while it sent a shiver down his spine and made him feel no end of uncomfortable, he was reassured that they were in fact back within the confines of the city. He turned to help lift Fiona up through the hatch, lingering and holding on to her hand just a little longer than was socially acceptable.

Michael stared back down at the flock of Koan in the cavern beneath the hatch. They had begun to sit and huddle up in groups, some of the younger ones even resting their heads on the laps of the older ones. Instantly Michael knew they would be fine. They would ride out the storm in the safety of the caves and then, someday soon, they would emerge into the forest once more to rebuild their town. And Michael would have to visit them and bring more power bars.

Finally, Michael turned to Fiona as the group began to gather there things for the long march back up the emergency stairs and toward the control room. He'd learned something on this 'adventure' (which seemed the most appropriate word for what they'd just gone and done). He'd learned of his new found connection to the Irish scientist. As they began the walk he voiced his thoughts out loud,
"At least it's done. It's over. It's gone. Yes, we shouldn't have gone out there. But at least we can all learn from our mistakes and heal and move on. But it's harder to learn or heal or move on from something that hasn't happened; something we don't know and is therefore indefinable; something which could very easily have been the best thing in our lives, if only we'd taken the plunge, if only we'd held our breath and stood up and done it, if only we'd said yes.” He glanced at Fiona and smiled, thankful that she'd agreed to his mad idea to rush out into danger and save an alien race from extinction. There were only three words that seemed appropriate right now, and they were...
"Fancy a drink?"

Fade to Black.

<END MICHAEL>