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[Mim]

*One hour later*

 With the typical precision of a well disciplined army, the move was soon under way. Mako team and AR-3 took up flanking positions either side of the very large group which they soon found was totally unnecessary with the Tamorans , for they in themselves was just as disciplined as their Earth counterparts. Not long into the one mile and a bit march they soon found they were mixing with these ‘farmers’ exchanging stories and sharing a laugh at life in general. The young un’s as the children were called by their elders herded the Drafts like professionals and those sweet but strange looking creatures took it all in their stride, being easily chivvied along when a calf or young bull fell  out of line to taste the delicate grasses along the way.

 Captain Rafikov’s men did as promised in setting up the gear into the caves. Four of them earlier scouted out by Chief Petty Officer Morgan were found to be more than large enough to hold all of the people and their animals. For indeed one such cave turned out to be much larger than at first thought, with deeper caverns extending far into the hills for possibly miles. The whole exercise took roughly an hour and it was more than a joyful occasion when at last they arrived.

 The time then had come for some of those from Atlantis to depart. Teyla had to return to her people and the only one’s remaining with the Tamorans were Doctor Olofsson and the ship and crew from the Hermes. Both AR-3 and Mako teams were returning to the city to assist in whatever way they could for the possible war with the Vanir; Doctor Prescott had work to do on mass producing the vaccinations required for the Tamorans. It was going to be a busy time for all.

 Farewells and goodbyes were said all around with deep gratitude from the Tamorans expressed and a desire for all of them to return when peace was found and a great ‘welcome home festival’ would be had.

                                   ******************************



The puddle jumper hummed as the power fed into the main drives, by now Jordan was getting more and more confident with each flight. For now though the grey/green machine sat on the ground waiting for her to feed into it her thoughts to take them up and home.  “Right everyone, make sure you haven’t forgotten a thing, I don’t want to have to turn around once we’re away.” She told the rather large group of Mako, Teyla, Doctor Prescott and AR-2.



The Athosian looked up with humour all over her face. She felt all over her body then exclaimed. “No, I seem to be intact as I only brought myself and I.”

Jordan had to laugh, it was rare she thought to hear something so Earth like come from Teyla.

                         *********************************




At the caves Melinda stood looking down into the valley, standing there with her arms across her chest to ward off the oncoming night chill. Rafikov and some of his men were with her as they watched the teams walk to the Puddle Jumper. That night chill was more prominent as she thought of what was to come. “Do you mind if I make a confession Captain? I am terrified, terrified of what may come.” She said flatly without emotion. Even the sunset didn’t do anything for her now as it usually did.

[Shadowlord]

The Tamorans were truly nice people, not that he himself could ever live a life without technology, especially now knowing what was truly out there made him glad they had a city of Ancient design to fall back on. He’d miss the herd animals though, as smelly as they were he had grown fond of them and their behaviours. He wished them and the Tamorans well but at least he knew his actions sort of were defending them now aswell.

“So what’s the plan for us now Ma’am?” He asked knowing something big was soon to go down.

[DanielRyder]

Lieutenant Jonathan Agathon

"Ready, ma'am," the ARC XO responded after checking to see if he had every essential item he needed.

Jon was ready for whatever they had to face. Taking his position on the co pilot seat, he looked out through the viewscreen. The Tamorans should be okay. They have to be. The mainland really was the best place for them to be. After all, they had the best fighting force in the galaxy.

[Troy]

"The Caves in the hills a Klik from our present position, roger that Ma'am. We'll set up camp there. You are certainly welcome to use our labs for as long as we're parked here. While I understand if the guests wish to remain, our offer of a ride home remains until we leave orbit for the Milky Way."


He wasn't fully aware of what was on the horizon, but had a feeling it wasn't a friendly visit from an Ally. As the Doctor left, Aleksei left for main engineering. If the Hermes was to be a part of a conflict, he wanted to make sure everything was in order.

*One hour later*

Everything had been looked over and moved into the cave system indicated by the Atlantis team. As the sunset on the planet, Dr Olfosson turned to Aleksei admitting her fear about what was to come.

"Join the Club Doc."

He chuckled at the surprised look on her face.
"Yes even an experienced submariner has some fear when it comes to impending battle. In my opinion, a bit of fear is healthy. It helps keep you alert and aware of your surroundings. That can make all the difference. Zero fear is usually when you get overconfident and make the most mistakes. The trick is to find a balance between being paralyzed by fear and being so cocky you get yourself captured or killed. You do your part down here and we'll join the fleet in orbit. Once this is all over, we'll meet for a celebratory drink. How's that sound?"

[Mim]

 <Northern Caves>

 One of the Tamorans brought over two cups of steaming hot chocolate courtesy of the Hermes' crew, Mel looked over her shoulder inside to see that already they were sitting around military issue stoves talking and chatting with the alien humans as if it were a family gathering. Kids sat on knees and quiet laughter echoed through the chambers as meals were being prepared.

 "Thank you." Mel said taking the metal cup gratefully, holding her hands around it for warmth. It was still summer of course, but this far from the sea the nights were much colder. The young boy dipped his head then ran off looking for another chore to do. "I understand what you mean Captain. Before I came here back home athletics was my thing, I considered myself quite up there in the rankings as I specialised in the four hundred meters hurdles and sprints. Just prior to being accepted for the Stargate program I was on the short list to represent Denmark at next years Olympics, I trained hard for it and that fear of not getting there was always in my stomach." She took a sip, it was hot and sweet.

 "I suppose its the same thing, fear of dying or fear of losing. Either way you have to overcome that fear to where as you said you find the balance." She looked at him smiling, he reminded her of dear old Uncle Marten. "I would very much like that. Do you have family back home?" She asked curiously.

 @Troy

[Troy]

"Then it's a deal. Victory drinks after the fight. As for family, I have siblings  and other relatives back on Earth. No immediate family that's what you're asking.

The Russian paused momentarily.

"Guess you could say I was married to the sea. The life of a submariner is not condusive to having a family. In my eyes working for the SGC isn't much different."

[Mim]

 <Northern Caves>

 Mel shielded her eyes as the sun reached mountain tops to the west, it looked to her as with all sea faring races that tomorrow might be a good day; if you were at sea of course. "If we endure, I think for once in my life I will drink enough to render me stupid. I've been on the brink just one time before this since joining the Stargate Program, there was neither the time nor the will back then for celebration." Mel was on the cusp of adding to her words when one of the Tamorans came running to them.

 "Doctor! Captain! Come quickly, three of our boys are missing." The older woman said with tears streaming down her face.

 Mel shot up, turned around slightly taken aback. "Where did you last see them?" She asked.

 "We've found a cave that had other side tunnels to it, Marill thinks they were exploring as boys do. We went into three of them and found nothing when coming to an end. One other we could only go so far as the flames of our torches would not last long enough. We called and called them." She was fraught with fear, obviously one of the boys at least was her son.

 "Captain?" Mel asked in a way of saying they need help here.

[Troy]

There was always the possibility one would not survive to fight again, that was always in the back of the mind of any combatant, but it was an idea he tended not to dwell on too much.

He was about to comment on the Doctor's desire to get good and drunk, when one of the women they just finished helping came running up. Apparently some of the youth got themselves lost in the cave network.

The Captain wasted no time in springing into action. Grabbing the radio, he contacted the Hermes.
"Captain Babienko, we have some missing people in a cave network. We need search teams and a med team just in case."

"Aye Sir. We'll send help as soon as they're ready. Hermes out."

In short order a large number of crew from the cargo ship was assembled outside the caves. Everyone was equipped with flashlights and two way radios. Chem-lights would be used to mark their paths as the cave system branched out.

As the group headed into the cave, Aleskei turned to the gathered families.
"Don't worry, we'll find them. Thankfully it's only been a short while."

[Mim]

 

 "Thank you, thank you!" Fearful faces replied as they watched the humans of Earth venture into the network of tunnels. Melinda had been given a decent Maglite by one of the Russian crew that brought a smile to her face in the gloomy caves. She half expected some over engineered Russian thing that weighed a ton. Not that they were bad at all, her parents kept a larger one in their car; reliable and durable only it'd be dragging on her arm by the time they were finished.

 With her and the Captain there were two other crewmen and one woman, others had split off to search the warren of smaller tunnels that looked like they went every which way. This one though held promise, it was wide and high for the most part as it began to wind down and once or twice Mel thought she saw small footprints as they went deeper. "This goes far Captain, I wonder just how deep this cave complex is? Given the mountains behind our positions and the rivers we've seen, that would be simply amazing to find a cave network that went right through to the northern side wouldn't it?"

[Troy]

As he had the most experience with caves, Petty Officer Rybakov was placed in charge of the search.

“We’re to move through the caves in teams of four. If you come upon an intersection, you are welcome to split up but no one is to head off alone. In the interest of time, we’ll focus on the larger tunnels that don’t require much experience to navigate. More experienced teams will go behind to search areas requiring more skill.”

The lead search teams started off into the cave at set intervals to avoid everyone bunching up at the entrance. When they came upon a split in the tunnel network, the teams branched off in the various directions. Upon encountering smaller passageways, they would wait for the secondary teams to arrive before heading off in a new direction.  Every few minutes, the search teams would pause and call out the boy’s names. Most the time, their voices simply bounced off the walls but hopefully the sound would alert the youth to their presence.

Aleksei was with Melinda and several Marines as they headed through one of the main tunnels.

“Hard to say Doc. A passage all the way through would be a notable find. I’m not much for spelunking, but I’m sure there are others who would jump at the chance to explore all the caverns.”

After a while the tunnel ahead dropped down and appeared to open up into a large room. Drawing closer, the Russians could see light reflecting off the walls of the room. Voices could be heard, which was likely to be the missing people as no one else was known to be in the vicinity.

Instead of the rocky corridor one might expect from a cave, there were carved limestone steps leading downward. With a cautious hand on his sidearm, Aleksei followed them into what appeared to be an ancient control room. It had obviously been abandoned for centuries judging by the stalagmites and stalactites covering the floor and ceiling. They weren’t enough to block access to the room, but certainly impeded any work that might be carried out.

“Doc! You’re going to want to see this.”

[Mim]

 

 So far all she could think of were those boys, yet that fascination she spoke of was still strong in her mind. A thought for the future whereby the Athosians and Tamorans were able to trade and exchange with one another easily without having to trek hundreds of miles around and over the mountains. Exciting was what she thought. "I know a few in Atlantis who'd be making request after request to come here when they find out Captain."

 The search went on, deeper and deeper, the feeling and sensation of all time was lost. At one point Melinda herself became quite fearful when a passage narrowed if only for a few metres, still it put her on edge until it opened up again, man made steps were found and as Aleksei called out loudly her heart jumped. She ran down the remaining distance and stopped dead. It was so beautiful not to mention the two boys idly paddling their feet in a bright aqua pool at the bottom. "My god." Her hand went to her mouth but that was not all, up along the sides were what were very obviously human made walkways, and a very Ancient like looking control room; all of covered or partially covered in the layers of time and limestone formations. Still it was awe inspiring. She stood next to him staring at it. Then when her reverie broke. "We need to tell them back at Atlantis, this is more than amazing, this is an incredible find." Not forgotten the two boys were suitably chastised by one of the Russian crew and sent packing with an escort back to their parents.

[Troy]

"Of course Doctor. This is an impressive find."

Any evidence of Ancient technology was noteworthy, but to find it on a planet not known to be inhabited by them was even more impressive.

"Rafikov to Rybakov, you can recall the search teams. Babienko is coming out with the boys. We have located an Ancient Control Room deep within the cave. Contact Atlantis and request further orders. If need be, Babienko can guide them in."

"Glad to hear it Captain. I'll relay the information."

Before reaching out to Atlantis, he gave the good news to the waiting crowd.
"The boys have been found safe and are coming out now.

"Rybakov to all search teams, the boys have been found. Return to the starting point."

Switching frequencies on his radio, he reached out to Atlantis.
"This is Petty Officer Rybakov of the Hermes. The Tamorans have discovered a cave network near their new home. Inside is what appears to be an Ancient Control Room. Captain Rafikov and Dr Oloffson are presently there. How should we proceed?

[Mim]

 

 Now that the city had been told, the Tamoran's reunited with the boys and just about everything else generally rolling into place fairly smoothly, Melinda felt she could perhaps take a little time out to just relax and maybe do some exploring of her own. Of course not on her ownsome, that definitely wouldn't be allowed. "Captain once you get a reply back from Atlantis, do you think it would be alright for us to do some exploring, or do you need to get back to your ship?" She hadn't thought of that factor earlier.

 

*Radio*

  "Stand by Captain, I'll inform Mr Woolsey and get right back to you. I would advise though if possible that where someone with you may have the Ancient gene to see if there is an active power source. Over."

[Troy]

"Exploring, what did you have in mind Doctor? If we didn't have an impending battle, I'd be all for exploring further. I won't stop you from poking around, but I don't recommend straying too far."


There was a bit of a delay while they waited for Atlantis to their discovery, which was a bit expected. When they did respond, it was surprisingly a bit more than the standard response of 'hurry up and wait.'

*radio*

""Roger that Atlantis, we'll look into an active power source."

He turned to Melinda.
"You wouldn't happen to have the Ancient Gene would you?"

[Mim]

 

 Yes it was true, sometimes when something exciting happened that took your mind off the reason you were doing things, that reason went out the window, forgotten as the moment took hold of you. "Yes you are right, we are here for a reason and to go off exploring would be nothing short of irresponsible of me." That was how she saw it, Mel turned her feet to head back up the path mumbling that a later time, much later might prove more suitable.

 After a short while, when he asked the question, there was no hesitation of course. "Why yes I do in fact." Now why would Amelia want to know that unless...unless she thought there may well be a glimmer of hope an active ZPM might be found down here. Now that would be exciting.