Episode One - One Way Trip

[Jason Conway]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1030 Zulu
'60 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'


So the mission had been cleared. It was all going to go ahead. The IOA & Joint Chiefs of Staff had given the green light. Dr. McKay had discovered details of the other city in the Atlantis database. It all led up to this. Brigadier General Jason Conway was going to lead an expedition to an alien planet in another galaxy. This was a bit of a step up from gunning down insurgents in Iraq. Conway was dressed in full gear ready to go. He had the green SGC combat outfit on, an M9 sidearm strapped to his leg and a standard issue flack-jacket over the top. Conway stood to attention at the front of the bridge of the Sun Tzu, the fascinating textures of hyperspace flowing by the window behind him. He looked upon the expedition, packed into the bridge and flowing out down the corridors leading away.

Conway's mind flashed back to the meeting with General Landry at the SGC all those months ago.
Conway was sitting in the briefing room, going over the files once more - he'd done it a million times now and still struggled to take it in. The department of Homeworld security... Who ever knew THAT existed. Jack O'Neill had looked over Conway's files and chosen this man for the job. If the IOA insisted on Meropis having a military leader, it had to be somebody the SGC trusted. Landry spoke,
"The Sun Tzu is currently finishing preparations. Its sitting in low Earth orbit, its maiden voyage to Abydos and back went off without a problem. To make it easier for the crew, the expedition will all gather in the gate room at 1145 Alpha. From there I will give you all one last briefing before you are all beamed into the Cargo Holds of the Sun Tzu. From there you may all make yourselves comfy. Five weeks Brigadier, thats a long flight, and a long one way trip if you ask me." Conway nodded in response. He was going to be beamed onto a space ship, and then set off to a distant galaxy, this was unreal.
"Yes sir but I wouldn't miss it for the world... Meropis... among the very stars themselves..." He snapped himself out of his trance. "Alright, lets go over these files once more."
Conway and Landry both took a seat at the Briefing table where several files on Meropis lay scattered about. They were of Dr. McKay's findings and reports from Atlantis as well as what information they could gather on Meropis. Conway couldn't hide the fact that he was excited. This wasn't his first off world trip, but it sure was the biggest and his first trip to another galaxy at that.

He snapped back to the present. Staring at all the faces in front of him, some brave, some anxious, some clearly very nervous.
"Good morning everyone. As you all well know my name is Brigadier General Jason Conway, and I will be leading you all into brave new territories. A new galaxy. From now on, this is your family. Take a look to your left and right, these people are your friends, your comrades. Based on the Atlantis reports, we cannot even begin to speculate as to what we'll be put through and what we might encounter when we get there... You all know the mission. Gather new technologies for the defense and benefit of Earth. We could even find the cure for cancer out there, we just don't know... In a little over..." Conway glanced at his watch. "Fifty Seven minutes. We will be dropping out of hyperspace at the co-ordinates the planet Meropis is on are said to be. I want everyone at their stations ready at Eleven Twenty Five Zulu. In the meantime, feel free to chat among yourselves, get to know your comrades. Good luck, and see you all on the other side."

Conway saluted, the military members of the expedition all immediately and sharply saluted back. Some civilian members followed suit out of nerves. The General then left the bridge to head to his quarters, patting Colonel Paul Riley, Commander of the Sun Tzu on the shoulder as he left. Riley had watched the whole speech from his command chair and smiled at the General's confidence. All in all everything was well. Riley just hoped there was nothing waiting for them when they reached other end.

<Tag Anyone>

[Pandora Banks]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1035 Zulu
'55 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

One woman looks more out of her depth than anyone else. Unfortunately, all the civilians are looking in her direction now. She coughs a little, shifts from one foot to the other, a numbing, almost drowning sensation washing over her.
"Yes, well, I suppose I'd better introduce myself too," she says to the huddled group of civilans. Some technicians, some scientists, some doctors. A general mish-mash of great minds. The brave ones, the military, are already wandering off in groups, chatting and laughing, heading to their quarters. "For those who don't know -" Another nervous cough. "My name's Pandora. Pandora Banks. I've been put in charge of organising you, assisting on missions...things like that."

I am so not qualified for this, thinks Pandora. This whole thing is insane. One moment, I'm sitting at home, having dinner with Isaac, next moment there's a knock at my door and the whole world is suddenly behind me. Including Isaac. In all her training, not a word had passed between the two of them. It was the final step in her detachment from the real world, or what she had always thought was the real world. Looking down, through the thick Perspex window of the craft, she realised she didn't know what was real and what was not, not any more. Isaac was, like everything else out there amongst the stars and blackness, a insignificant speck.

"So, what do we do now" asks a young doctor, and his voice knocks Pandora out of her trance. No time to ponder reality, not when there's duty to be done. Responsibilty. As if anyone trusted her with responsibility! Summoning every ounce of self-esteem she can muster from this one idea, she makes her first order.

"First things first," she says, trying to insert some commanding tone into her voice. "Everyone back to their quarters, sort out your things. In twenty minutes, I expect to see each and every one of you in the canteen. I don't know about anyone else, but I could do with a drink and a laugh, and to get some ideas about what to do when we land. We haven't had much chance to get to know one another, so I want to get started as soon as possible."

A few smiles, a few severe expressions. Pandora leads the way, down the long steel corridor, and the people in her command branch off one by one, disappearing into their rooms. Pandora finally reaches hers, and sits down on her bed, staring into nothing, thinking about infinity.

>>>>commisary

[Deleted]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1037 Zulu
'53 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

Lucas Cafferey stood in the back near the lift. He had just made it in time to hear the General's speech which had been short and sweet.
So...less than an hour until they arrived at Meropis.

"Man...I really should have studied up on this..." Lucas thought to himself. He glanced down, looking over his attire for the briefest of moments. He was the traditional USAF base uniform which resembled a flight suit. Over that he wore his glossy, black leather jacket which he had purchased 2 years ago when he had arrived back on US soil.

Lucas looked back up before he turned and entered the lift, riding it down several decks. Stepping off he headed for the mess hall, not because he was hungry but because of the fact that most of the time there were very little people there.
Upon reaching the mess hall Lucas grabbed a cold, bottled water before taking a seat in a far corner.
He kept telling himself that it was better to grab some peace and quiet now because he doubted he'd be able to once they arrived at Meropis.
Sighing, Lucas twisted the cap off his water and took a sip.
He already knew that it was going to be a long day.

<Tag open>

[Deleted]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1030 Zulu
'60 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

As the general gave his speech; Tom turned to Brett and shrugged. “We signed up for this” Tom said quietly. “I didn’t” replied Brett defensively. “I signed you up too” Tom joked in return; as he checked out some nerdish girl across the room for a moment before returning to his pylon he was leaning on. “Bloody thought so, damn you colonial”[/i] Brett replied with a smile. They had been like that since F-302 training on Earth, always bickering but that’s the way they had always been. “We better get to hanger; you know.. earn our pay and all” Tom said as he walked out the door. “You know we don’t get paid” Brett replied as he also walked out the door.

>>> Hanger Bay (F-302 Bay)

[Alecia Kazuko Brannagh]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1040 Zulu
'50 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

Excited was an understatement. Y'know that buzzing feeling you get right when you're queuing for the ultimate roller coaster ride Yeah, think of that but times it by ten. Oh, of course, Alec has seen her fair share of planets - more than most civilians could claim. She had been from Athos to Atlantis, from Atlantis to Lantea, from Lantea back to Atlantis countless time, before finally going from Atlantis to New Athos. But that was it. To be on the Sun Tzu traveling to a new galaxy altogether Yeah, Alec was holding herself back from jumping up and down on the spot. Why First of all, this was the time for first impressions. Acting like a big kid would not cut it, she'd first of all make herself look like a fool and then second of all make Teyla look like one too for recommending her. Alec was here as a fighter, a defender - one of the go to women if they underwent any attacks upon their arrival.

So, she'd trained since she could remember. Day in, day out almost. Some would call it excessive, but when your race was constantly under attack by annoying buggers called the Wraith - some would called it clever thinking. Especially Alec. She did not give two cents if you thought the amount she put her body through was crazy, she did not give two cents if you thought someone her age should be having fun... that was not her. Simple. And so here Alec stood, arms crossed over her body and looking just as serious as the person next to her and the person in front of them and the people up front talking out to them all. All eyes faced these people, many looking quite determined, other looking understandably nervous. Alec Well, she looked as relaxed as ever - so she was a confident girl, she was more excited then nervous and so she fit into the former lot. Determined.

Yeah, despite the fact that she wanted to jump up and down on the spot. She turned her attention onto a female, one who introduced herself as the woman in charge of them. Basically, Civilian Leader. Alec thought to herself. One of the other civilians spoke up, asking what was going to happen next and Alec having looked to him while he spoke, now turned her eyes back onto this Pandora Banks. The orders were simple and Alec was thankful that she had time to wander about the ship and take everything in. Everyone began to dispatch, but she stayed for a second, gazing out the bridge windows at the many stars and planets that had become mere streaks of light due to hyperspace. She simply couldn't believe she was here.

But there was no time for day dreaming. Kicking herself in gear, Alec headed to her quarters and once safely inside, did the most ridiculous happy dance you could imagine. Twenty minutes to herself, Alec walked over to her bed and threw herself on it as she stared up at the ceiling in disbelieve.

>>>>> Commissary.

[Paul Riley]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1040 Zulu
'50 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'


Colonel Paul Riley smiled the knowing smile of a commander. He'd enjoyed the General's speech, and sat silently in his chair while everybody cleared the bridge and headed off to their various locations. A quick glance at his watch told him it was just under an hour until they dropped out of hyperspace, in the star system Meropis was supposed to be at. Dr. McKay had sent them the co-ordinates based on the gate address, but this was a whole new galaxy, they couldn't be sure what they would run in to. The database said it was abandoned but what if it was wrong? What if the ancients were still around? What if the Asurans had beaten them to it somehow?

The commander knew the 302 pilots would be gearing up already, he pressed the button on the right arm of his chair and opened the comms channel to the 302 pilots. He went to speak but was taken by surprise at comments about PSPs and girls.
"Gentlemen if I may interrupt. I want you all geared and ready, as soon as we drop out of hyperspace you have standing orders to launch. We'll be doing an initial scan of the planet from here but I want the entire wing to do a lap of the planet in formation, use your eyes and your short range scanners. It'll take you a few hours, but so long as we aren't being shot at we'll be alright. Understood?"
He listened to the reply confirming his orders are understood, then shut the channel off, he had no intention of listening to more babble about briefcases and computer games.

Riley stood up from his chair and paced over to the viewing window. Watching the blue and white streaks of stars and planets passing them by at Faster Than Light speed. He rubbed his hands over his face, wiping the sleep out of his eyes, the past few days had been hectic all over the ship. Five weeks. Five weeks on a ship crammed with nerdy scientists, overeager pilots and uptight military staff. He would be glad to arrive at the planet and get them the heck off his ship. He was lost in his thoughts. Among the prize winning thoughts Riley came up with was, "Shame we don't get an Asgard on this one" and, "This place needs a swimming pool".

1035 Zulu
'45 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

Colonel Riley snapped himself out of it. The bridge had resumed it's normal duties now, the personnel who had previously crammed the corridors to listen to what was now being dubbed the 'stars speech' had all filtered out to their quarters for that last twenty minutes rest. All Paul could grab is the five minutes peace as he stared out the window. He turned to face his first pilot, sitting at the controls to the left hand of the command chair.
"Everything okay up here?"
"Yes sir, everything going as planned and we will be arriving right on schedule."
"Very well, I'm going to grab a cup of coffee. You never know, it may be my last." He said jokingly, patting a rather concerned looking first pilot on the shoulder before setting off at a brisk walk toward the Commissary. Grab a coffee, return to the Bridge and then we finally do this. Five weeks is a long trip and just about everybody is on edge one way or another. Riley knew it would sure be a heck of a moment when they drop out of hyperspace.

<Tag Anyone>

[Jason Conway]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1055 Zulu
'35 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

The time passed and the tension mounted. The pilots were preparing as ever, as far in advance as they could. Military personnel were checking and rechecking their weapons and equipment and civilians either packed up in their quarters or nervously sipped coffee. Of course there were those that were excited, among those was the General himself, Jason Conway.

The General returned to the bridge, having sent his gear down to the cargo holds ready for beaming on arrival. Of course that was assuming they found Meropis no problem, unoccupied and were able to set up base. His mind flashed back to the preparation for this mission, or a more appropriate word would be, interrogation.

Flashback
Jason walked up to the door that marked the conference room, he checked his military outfit was as straight as it could be, that the blue suit and tie were straight as an arrow and that his military awards gleamed in the low light of the SGC bunker. He was due to meet with several I.O.A representatives to address their "concerns and expectations" about the Meropis Expedition. He raised his hand to knock then noticed a very important looking figure approaching from the corner of his eye. He turned and saluted.
"At ease Jason", came the voice of Major General Jack O'Neill, head of the newly formed department of homeworld security.
"Sir, you're in this meeting too?" Jason smiled.
"Nope. Thank god. I'm just here to... wish you luck... not that you'll need it... Its a whole new galaxy out there General. You never know what kind of blood-sucking, creepy.. alien.. snake-in-your-head... things, you might find."
"I'll be sure to be on my guard at all times sir, for the defense of Earth."
"Ya. I worked my butt off defending this place, don't make me do it again." Jack smiled and patted Jason on the shoulder before strolling on down the corridor.
"Yes sir", muttered Conway under his breath as he opened the door to the political wolves known as the international oversight advisory.

Present
Thinking back to that meeting, Conway now knew why they had such bad press among SGC staff. He remembered their orders, if there are any ZPMs they must be sent back to Earth. Meropis will be allowed to keep one to run shields and dial Earth. Ridiculous, Samantha Carter even calculated that due to the distance between the Milky Way and Triangulum, it would probably need two ZPMs to establish a wormhole. Despite this the I.O.A stood firm and laid their demands on the table.

Conway vowed to fight this so they could at least have enough juice to dial home, but now was not the time. There might not even be a city let alone ZPMs when they get there. He walked forward and stood next to Commander Riley sitting in the control chair, he noted the fresh cup of coffee Riley was quite peacefully sipping on.
"Cup of Joe, Paul?" Riley jumped in his seat, almost spilling the coffee and looked up to the General.
"Sorry Sir, just a quick refresher before the big game, you understand right?"
"You're fine Colonel, I'm just messing... So we're nearly at half an hour left, we must be well within the Triangulum Galaxy by now?"
"We are indeed General. I mean who knows what wonders, marvels or even monsters we are passing by, completely unaware of each other's presence... yet."
The General smirked at Riley's dramatic irony. He looked around for somewhere to sit and failed. They really should provide more than three seats on the bridge of a ship this size, looks like this General is standing for this one.

<Tag anyone who is actually still on the Bridge>

[Paul Riley]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1128 Zulu
'2 Minutes Until Meropis Arrival'

The bridge of the Sun Tzu was a scene of nerves, of tension and edge. Commander Riley sat upright in his chair facing forward at the ever flowing streaks of blue and purple in hyperspace. General Conway stood to his right, arms folded in anticipation. Across the ship the crew were finally preparing themselves. It had been five weeks of waiting, of getting to know your fellow expedition members, and now was the time where it all kick started. The pilots in the 302 bay were ready for launch. Marines fully armed and ready to be deployed wherever needed, civilians had no idea what to do but Pandora Banks was doing a good job of marshaling them in the canteen.

The first pilot on the bridge keyed in a few more commands to his console and turned to the commander, "Two minutes to arrival sir."
"Thank you chief. Open a channel shipwide." The pilot keyed in a few more commands then nodded to Colonel Riley who spoke. His voice came out of the p.a system across the ship, in the headsets of the pilots and the radios of the away teams who were geared and ready.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Meropis Expedition. This is it. This is the moment we arrive. In just over a minute and half the Sun Tzu will be exiting hyperspace above the co-ordinates of the planet Meropis... I know it's been a long trip, and I also know everyone is on edge be it nerves or excitement. But I ask everybody to sit tight, do their jobs admirably, and here's hoping for the best when we arrive... Its been a pleasure having you all on board."
Conway smirked, "Nice job Paul.".
"Yeah, I never know what to say in this sort of situation." Replied the Colonel. The bridge gritted it's teeth in silence as the seconds ticked by... then they arrived.



BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1130 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

The hazy colors of hyperspace faded away and behind the ship as it emerged from hyperspace. The ship slowed at an unbelievable rate but the inertial dampeners had already kicked in and the crew only felt slight g-force. The ship hovered there above the planet and the crew across the bridge, including Riley himself, got to their feet to head to the nearest window and take a look at the planet. It was truly an awesome sight.



The spell was broken when the first pilot spoke. Riley had ordered the crew to begin initial scans of the planet.
"Uh.. Sir... We have a problem..."
Riley sighed, he turned his back to the window just after he saw the 302 Squadron launch and glide past in formation toward the planet.
"What is it." Said Riley and Conway in unison, before giving each other a slightly confused glance.
"Well Sir... I'm scanning for the city but I'm not picking anything up... anywhere on the planet. There are no energy signatures sir."
"But that's impossible. This is the planet Meropis is located it, could it have moved at all? Don't answer that." Riley sat in his chair and opened the ship-wide system.
"Pandora Banks, Tony Hansford and Lieutenant Colonel Caffery's security detail to the bridge." He closed the comms channel and turned to the crew, including General Conway, on the Bridge.
"Well let's see if any of these people can come up with an answer. The 302s are set on a low orbit to scan the planet, they might be able to report something soon." Riley turned and sighed, staring out of the window which was half full of planet and half full of space. Why are things never simple.

<Tag everybody who isn't a pilot, get your characters to the Bridge>

[Tony Hansford]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1132 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

Tony was still in a suit, that was all he had packed in his infinite wisdom. He had been to the armory to grab himself a combat vest and had clipped a pistol to it instead of wearing a holster on his side. Making his way into the bridge he saw logos of his company on some of the equipment on the bridge and a little smirk came onto his face.

"Colonel, you rang?", he says as he walks bridge window to see a big planet. For a few seconds he was dumbfounded but he'd seen plenty of planets in his days.

< Tag Anyone >

[Pandora Banks]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1138 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

Pandora is just taking the last sip of champagne as a horrible jolt courses throughout the room, causing her to spill it all over her front. She does not care though, and immediately stands, rushing to the windows with the rest of the crew, excited and scared as the rest of them.

The swirls of hyperspace have disappeared, and instead they can see clear space for the first time in five weeks. To Pandora, it is incredible. Pure black, dotted with infinite numbers of infinitesmal white dots. Stars, galaxies, planets, perhaps ones with life! She cannot move for a minute, stuck like a statue, facing a whole new galaxy. But then the call comes.

"Pandora Banks, Tony Hansford and Lieutenant Colonel Caffery's security detail to the bridge."

Surely they haven't found some problem yet? She cannot think of any other reason the commander would want the bridge so crowded.

"Right folks, everyone get packing, get ready, we'll be setting foot on a new planet in just a few minutes. I'll be back soon, everyone stay excited but stay focused." And with that, she hurries off to the bridge.

Only Hansford is there so far, but the worried expressions on the commander's and colonel's faces tell her everything she needs to know.

"What's happened? What's wrong?" she says, slightly breathless from her run from the comissary. Commander Riley turns to her, trying to smile through his furrowed brow. Behind him, Hansford is clicking a few keys on one of the consoles, which seems only to confuse him further.

[Deleted]

BC-304 Sun Tzu Bridge
1140 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

After leaving the Commissary, Lucas had just grabbed his pack from his room when he heard, "Pandora Banks, Tony Hansford and Lieutenant Colonel Caffery's security detail to the bridge."

Putting his pack back down Lucas had jogged to the lift, taking it to the Bridge where he arrived two minutes later.
Stepping out on to the Bridge, Lucas saw that they had arrived.

The planet looked peaceful enough, looking similar to Earth in a few ways, clouds; the atmospheric shade of blue as well as some of the land masses that could be seen.
Looking around, it was easy to gather that something was amiss but the only question was...what?
Off to one side Lucas recognized Conway from earlier...and there was Pandora and two others he didn't recognize.

Briskly Lucas walked over to them.
"I got your message, what's going on? From the tone of things here it doesn't seem good." Lucas commented in a serious tone of voice.
Smoothly Lucas folded his arms as he waited for a reply to his question, the leather jacket he still wore bending easily to his arm's movement.

<Tag Jason, Pandora, Riley and Tony>

[Deleted]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1141 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

The half-twins followed the commotion, entering a bit after Lucas approached Jason. The two looked at each other, then out at the large planet in the window. Raiden though it was rather intimidating, and he looked forward to seeing it on the ground, and settling in. "General, I'd also like to discuss security matters with you," Raiden offered, walking up to Lucas and Jason. He glanced at Pandora and Tony as he approached them. "Seeing how I figure we'll remain on the Acropalis until further notice, doesn't hurt to plan ahead a little..."

He figured that he himself wouldn't be needed until they reached their actual destination on the planet and settled in, but it was better to plan ahead. For all he knew, he could be staying on the Acropalis for a while. Raiden just wanted to be put wherever he could be most effective for the sake of their expedition. Jacob stood by quietly, having nothing to say for now.

<Tag: Jason>
Yeah, the half-twins will be a pair until Jacob's first duty is determined...

Oh and skipping a post with Jacob.

[Jason Conway]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1142 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

Jason Conway had been kept appraised of the situation as it unfolded, he always made sure he was in the thick of it. The people Riley had called to the bridge were now making their way in. Riley himself was bent over the first pilot's console looking at various scan results from the planet surface with a furrowed brow. Conway couldn't get a word in as every time he went to speak somebody else showed up, it was almost comical.
"Colonel, you rang?", came the voice of Tony Hansford.
""What's happened? What's wrong?", said Pandora Banks as she ran to the bridge. Shortly followed by several marine personnel, scientists filtering in and,
"I got your message, what's going on? From the tone of things here it doesn't seem good." From Lt. Col. Caffery and from Raiden McCallister came, ""General, I'd also like to discuss security matters with you."

He addressed the team assembled on the bridge.
"Lieutenant Colonel McCallister, that will have to wait. I'm afraid, Ladies and Gentlemen, that we have a rather more pressing issue... Meropis, it seems, is not there."
The shock dimmed the noise of the crew on the bridge.
"The Colonel here", he says gesturing toward Riley "was wondering if any of you might offer up any ideas, afterall it is what you're here for."
Conway's tone of voice was serious, he had not spent five weeks on a ship for nothing. Meropis just couldn't vanish like that. It had information going back thousand of years planted in the Atlantis database. The records even stated that the Meropis Alterans left for Atlantis so they can't have flown it anywhere or destroyed it in battle. A false trail of information perhaps? Conway considered the possibilities, would the I.O.A even fund the building of a base on this planet or would the whole thing be canceled? Nerves stood on end as the crew scrambled around trying to find a solution. Jason turned back to face the planet through the bridge's main viewing window. He thought to himself,
"Come on you. Where are you. You've got to be down there somewhere, the bottom of the ocean maybe..."

<Tag Sun Tzu Bridge people & Alecia too cos I forgot her last time>

[Deleted]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1142 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

Lucas was a little shocked by what Jason had just said. Missing? How could Meropis be missing?!
The city couldn't have just disappeared, it had to be down there somewhere. Perhaps it was under the ocean or just plain cloaked or at the worst, completely destroyed.

"It could possibly be cloaked...or underneath the ocean sir. We shouldn't immediately think worst case scenario here. Perhaps it might be helpful to get the F302's to do a fly by down on the surface, see if they can pick up something that the Sun Tzu sensors can't." Lucas suggested.

It was worth a shot at any rate, but would the Expedition commander agree?

<Tag Jason, Open>

[Tony Hansford]

BC-304 Sun Tzu
Bridge
1142 Zulu
'Meropis Arrival'

Tony had sat at the console he was closest to and began running various scans on different spectrum's and then searching for energy sources. "I'll say this, wherever it is, the thing cannot be seen in any form of known light and its not giving off any energy readings, all I can pickup is the F-302's and the planets co..", he paused for a second and then had one of his brilliant ideas. His fingers began running about on the keypad as he ran several more tests on the planet itself.

"What are the chances that the Ancients decided to seal it underground with a volcanic eruption, magma would fall over the shield and then harden into a lava shell, the heat would disguise it as just a reading from the core or an active volcano while the city would just heat up because the shields are probably running just a bit low by now", he explains as he stands up and walks towards the screen near the bridge window.

He points to a black blemish that sat in the line of the core's scan and then turns to everyone, "Whats the chances that thats our city and we have no way to get there without us being vaporised upon entry, I mean if the shield can withstand a nuclear blast we may be able to make it rise from its shell."

< Tag Anyone >