[Casey Woods]

1125
Hamlet outskirts

His lips broke into a grin as Heather shot him a look, easily skirting around Ed, he threw arm on her shoulder, "Well," he started "That's a norm, Cingolani, you know that." If she kept on glaring, it would leave him no choice but to annoy her still the mission was over.

The look Ed had on his face, had Casey shaking his head, "They will do fine," The two might be their juniors, but they had a good head on their shoulders. If it was up to him, he might watch Cowden for a bit. His uncle wasn't known to have a good head on that shoulder of his. His father didn't like the guy at all.

"Thank you for a refresher sir," Woods acknowledged, "we will lock them tight." Classes for bringing the biological matter throught the stargate had been hard ones. Of course their teachers had emphasised on how they were to be dealt with and taken care off. One wrong move could spell trouble for everyone. Compromising every single soul in the SGC. No that he wanted to take that chance.

Taking out his own sample containers, Casey had scouted a little away from the two leaders. Not really knowing what he should pick as few did look rather appealing. Spotting a plant species that was in the local used for medical purpose. The sounds from the distance distracted him. Moving to the edge of the clearing, he recognised the vessel, "Yea, it is what you think it is. I thought they couldn't be used without the thing that made up the stargate in your system."

What he was witnessing and that he learnt were blurring, "Ed, orders?" he called to his leader, "The way I see it, we have three choices. One, we trying finding out who this belongs to. Second is we take shelter in the village and wait till this goon goes, OR we run towards the gate. But your call." Fighting the long gone enemy wasn't one of the things they were prepared for. Hell, this was only meant to be a basic meet and greet with 'how ya doing?' trip.

And whatever Ed decided, Woods hoped didn't get them killed. Or made POW. That was not going to do down well.

<<Tag: Edward Sadik , Heather Cingolani , Elizabeth Palmazio and Elijah Cowden >>

[Edward Sadik]

1127
Hamlet outskirts

"You're right, they're short-range fighters, must be a Goa'uld cruiser or base nearby," Ed replied. The single Death Glider flew into the distance and lazily turned around, bearing back down on the hamlet for a second fly-over. The fact that it was returning was a bad sign - the pilot must have seen or detected something that had gotten his attention. The mission could be blown before it had even started.

Casey put the call for Ed for their plan of action, a decision that had to be made in the short time it would take the Glider to be back in range. The options bounced around in the senior cadets head as he assessed the risks and benefits of each. Hauling back to the Stargate and calling for back up was standard procedure, and would give them an opportunity to put a call through to the SGC for back-up. While Ed and the senior cadets were on the edge of the forest and would be able to disappear quickly, the two junior members of the team were in the middle of the hamlet, and wouldn't be able to make the tree line in time before the Goa'uld pilot spotted them.

In that moment Edward did something he'd never done before - break orders.

"Take shelter in the village!" he called as he broke into a run, determined to make it under cover before the Death Glider was back on station. They'd lay low until nightfall and try to circle back around to the Gate.

"Palmazio, Cowden, we've got company!" he yelled into his radio. "Get the regent to try and stay calm. Panicking will only bring more enemies."

1127
Ha'tak mothership
Planetary orbit

"My Lord, as you foresaw our pilots detected Tau'ri energy signatures around the settlement near the Chappa'ai. Transports are making planet-fall to surround the village and cut off their escape."

Nekhbet, the young self-proclaim System Lord for his sector of the galaxy, leaned back on his oversized gold gilded throne and smiled, his eyes flashing golden and his voice distorting.

"Good. Inform me when our new guests are in custody."

< Tag Heather Cingolani , Casey Woods , Elizabeth Palmazio & Elijah Cowden >

[Elijah Cowden]

1128
Hamlet outskirts

Elijah did not recognize the sound of whatever was coming towards the Hamlet, looking up he heard Bora say something in a language he did not know, Eli's friendly smile quickly vanished as he saw the craft. Whatever worries he had about messing up introduction were now gone, they were now dealing with something even worse than two academy students fumbling thru some words. "Is that one of yours?" Bora asked turning her attention back to Eli and Liz, he shook his head, "No ma'am." he replied, his eyes still watching the glider as he moved past. 

He looked back to where Ed and the others still stood, hoping to get an idea of what the team leader would order them to do. Most likely something well within regulations as was typical with Ed. Then his radio started buzzing and he was surprised to hear a very un-Ed like order coming from Sadik. Elijah looked back up to the sky and saw that the Glider was coming back, "We need a place to hide and fast." he told Bora, "The grain house." she replied her voice still calm, "Sadik, follow us to the grain house. I don't know how secure it is but it is better than nothing"   Eli said into his radio to his still running teammates.

The regent nodded lead the way to the grain house, it did not take long even with various villagers quickly moving thru the hamlet, even as she moved thru the crowd Bora spoke calmly to her people. "You all hide here, I have some matters to attend to but I will return shortly." she said as she motioned to the entrance of the small low building. It looked like nothing more than a stone hut with a weathered worn roof. Cowden let Elizabeth enter first and followed in behind, ducking down as to not hit his head on the low ceiling, looking back out the door he saw the others following close on their heels. They'd be okay. All it was was a random glider, probably lost, nothing to worry about. They'd wait a bit then run back to the gate and get help from people who actually knew how to handle people like the Goa’uld. 

[Edward Sadik]

1128
Ha'tak mothership
Planetary orbit

"My Lord, the village is surrounded, the Tau'ri have no where to run."

Nekhbet nodded in approval to the report from his First Prime. The Vulture Guards - his personally assembled army of what few Jaffa loyalist mustered over the years - had been training for months for a mission just like this. They might not have the numbers of capture an entire planet, but the guerilla tactics they employed and the fear they struck into the hearts of their enemies helped even the playing field.

"Good. Then it is time to make our grand entrance," Nekhbet declared, rising from his throne and heading toward the transport rings.

1129
Hamlet
Grain house

Edward peered carefully through a gap in the wall of the grain house, surveying the scene around him. Things did not look good.

Moments after they'd taken cover the hamlet had been swarmed by Jaffa. They were attired their signature plate-metal armour and wore bird-like helmets, slightly different to the traditional helmets of Horus Guards. Ed guessed they belonged to a new Goa'uld on the scene. So far he counted three or four dozen in sight, with numerous Al'kesh shuttles positioned around the helmet and a squadron of Death Gliders overhead.

"I think this now officially meets the definition of an ambush," the senior cadet whispered to the rest of the team.

Two new figures appeared amid the commotion of the villagers being rounded up. One looked like the rest of the Jaffa minus a helmet and sporting a gold brand on his forehead - all the signs of a First Time. The other individual was dressed in the usual over-the-top gold regalia of the Goa'uld, and was sure acting like one. There was only one thing wrong with the picture.

"He's just a kid," Ed exclaimed in a whisper. "He can't be that much more older than us!"

The Goa'uld strutted around the captured villagers, who had all been forced down onto their knees. He singled out the village regent Bora and brought her to the middle of the village square. Four Jaffa formed on in a line and levelled their staff weapons at her.

"Tau'ri, you have one minute to show yourselves," the Goa'uld declared, his voice booming and distorted as was characteristic of his species. "After that, I will begin killing these peasants until you change your mind."

< Tag Heather Cingolani , Casey Woods , Elizabeth Palmazio & Elijah Cowden >

[Casey Woods]

1129
Hamlet
Grain house

All Woods could do was to pace and not happily so, waiting sucked big time that was for sure. And almost glared at Ed when the Cadet Major all but fully admitted that they were ambushed. Few colorful words left his mouth and lips. He distracted himself by checking his weapon and making sure it was loaded. "How the heck...." he shook his head, "MALP detected nothing of a vessel in the air. And this place is meant to be Goa'uld free." Scanning his team, "Supposingly."

Using another peekhole to see what Eddie was exclaiming about, "I agree with that assessment. Way too young for such life." And shook his head, when the whole thing hit home. They were young too for this. Hypocritical much, he wanted to ask.

He picked up his pacing again, when the threat came, and almost stomped his combat boots in frustration, "We will see how he or they kill them one by one," the Lt spoke as he walked towards the door and stopped and faced his CO's, "We can't let them die for us." A simple meet and greet was now a ambush. As far as he knew this was not a exam.

<<Tag: Edward Sadik , Heather Cingolani , Elizabeth Palmazio and Elijah Cowden >>

[Edward Sadik]

1130
Hamlet
Village square

Either the Tau'ri were braver or stupider than he'd anticipated. The Vulture Guards paused for a moment, their staff weapons levelled at the village regent Bora, awaiting the order from Nekhbet to fire. The young Goa'uld lord slowly scanned the village around him, trying to anticipate where his enemy was hiding. His scanners had tracked them to his hamlet, and with his forces surrounding it, there was no chance of escape. Yes, they were definitely here, cowering in the shadows and watching his every move.

Time to put on a show.

"Kill her."

Without a moments hesitation the Vulture Guards fired, their volley of weapons fire cutting down the kneeling regent and killing her before her body hit the ground.

"You could have avoided this," Nekhbet declared, projecting his voice as he strode around the village square. "These people have done nothing wrong. It is your refusal to submit that causes them this pain."

Nekhbet paused by a blacksmiths stand and retrieved a white-hold tool from the blazing fire. He strode with purpose to a nearby building and held the implement against the thatched roof of the home, which quickly began to smoulder. Within minutes the building was ablaze, with flames quickly spreading to the surrounding buildings. But still the Tau'ri did not show themselves.

"So be it," he declared, about turning and striding back toward his shuttle. "Kill them all and burn the village to the ground."

1130
Hamlet
Grain house

Concealed within the grain house, Ed and the rest of SGA-7 watched in horror at the scene that unfolded before them. The typical rules of engagement - which Edward knew back-to-front - were to fall back to the Stargate to call for back-up. Cadets weren't authorised to engage the enemy in combat, only to defend themselves. While it wouldn't have been easy, SGA-7 could still have fought their way back to the Stargate and gotten themselves back to the safety of the SGC.

But the time for regulations was over. Now it was about payback.

"Let's move out," the senior cadet whispered as he withdrew his M9 side arm, the only weapons the cadets were authorised to carry on training missions. "We'll circle around the market place and try to get a jump on one of the roving patrols. We need to get our hands on more fire power." He'd never used a Goa'uld zat or staff weapon before, but he'd read extensively around them.

The cadets slipped from hiding and began to make their way toward the nearest enemy patrol

< Tag Heather Cingolani , Casey Woods , Elizabeth Palmazio & Elijah Cowden >

[Elijah Cowden]

1129
Hamlet
Grain house

What did they have in orbit? An entire fleet and then some? Elijah looked out at the enemy forces now swarming the hamlet. The twerp who said he was in charge started making threats to try and get the group to come out from hiding, even though he did not look like he was even old enough to be in the position he was in, the guy had the manpower and fire power to back up anything he "requested".  

Then the killed Bora. The older lady had said nothing since being forced the kneel on the ground, she did not even glance to the Grain house. The woman was now dead and all she did was help them out. As much as he wanted to show himself so the Goa'uld would stop destroying the village, Eli also knew that would put the others at even greater risk and the last thing they needed was for all of them to get captured without someone back on Earth knowing what was going on. 

"Let's move out,"

"We can not just leave them, they are getting butchered because of us." Elijah said looking to Edward, he knew the ranking cadet was going off of what the book said, "More firepower so we can actually take a stand right?" he asked before following everyone out of the hut. The smell of smoke was thick in the air and you could still hear villagers screaming as they tried to save themselves. 

[Casey Woods]

1130
Hamlet
Grain house

This was not happening, Casey thought in horror as the shots were fired. Was this what they were signing up for once they graduated? While Casey liked to think of himself as strong, this was starting to question if this was worth it. While he agreed to move away from there was a great idea. He wanted to point out that getting to the gate alive wasn't going to be possible. He looked at Ed with a odd expression, "I'll distract them," he offered. What a bright idea. And a foolish one as well. Patting Cowden, "In a nutshell...." he looked at the younger Cadet, "yep."

1145- 1205
Hamlet

He waited for a right time to jump as he awaited for Ed's orders. Going and getting themselves killed wasn't and hadn't been on the plan. What the heck were they suppose to do with a lousy handgun. They had snuck past the first round of parole after leaving the grain house. And when the coast was clear and his CO gave the go, Casey jumped right into the fire and on the guards back, holding on as hard he could while the guard tried to free himself, "NOW," he called back, "Go."

Once the team was in the clear and guard finally succeed in freeing himself and throwing Woods to the ground, who winced and saw the staff warming up to take a shot, but it was the gun fire from the what sounded to be a P-90 that had him scrambling away, shaken. He turned to see a group in SGV's standard uniform he knew from images and walking around the halls of SGC.

"Secure the area," the man called out, clearly an authority figure, "Come on kid." He picked the man up and asserted him, "That was crazy, but good."

Once his team was around him, "Who are you?" Woods asked, "Sir?"

"Cadet Lieutenant Woods," Travis looked at him, "Colonel Travis Oxford of US Army, Delta Expedition's XO, Vedas Expedition's Chief Adviser, Commanding Officer of USS Shiva."

If Woods wasn't wincing, his jaws would have dropped. The Wizard! Who had not heard of the Wizard? That was a lot of positions to cover on top of that, "Sir." He made an attempt at standing attention, but his newly acquired injuries or bruises, won't allow him. He wondered what happened to the guy who was boosting his powers. Ran away perhaps. Or would be dealt with later.

"I'm here at the request of SGC," Travis told the group, "They send a request to check on you and your team before Shiva left the galaxy. Looks like we got here on time." Soon enough Shiva's med team took over. He also received a confirmation that the stargate was secured, "Have a safe trip home." He was then beamed to the ship. And thirty minutes later, the ship's personnel confirmed that the Cadet team had gated out safely. With that the Shiva set the course for Vedic Galaxy.

<<Tag: Edward Sadik , Heather Cingolani , Elizabeth Palmazio and Elijah Cowden >>

[Edward Sadik]

1145-1205
Hamlet

Edward had read a lot about the dynamics of combat during his time with the SGA. He'd completed all the military training scenarios and mock battles assigned to him, and while they'd been demanding, in the back of his mind he always knew he couldn't actually die during them.

Now in his first ever fight, he felt fear raising its heard, threatening to seize him in its cold grasp.

The cadets broke from cover and circled around the edge of the village, looking for an opening. Casey went in first, catching a guard from behind and wrestled him to the ground. Cadet Sadik attacked the guard's partner, trying to bring the man down with a blow to the head. The Jaffa turned at the last moment and Ed's fist connected with his metal skull cap, shooting pain up his arm. Before the cadet could recover the Jaffa had drawn his knife and was on, forcing the cadet back. As he edged backward the young cadet tripped and landed hard on the ground. He rolled over just in time to see the Jaffa lunging toward him with the knife.

Automatic weapons fire broke out, cutting down the Jaffa as he stood Ed. Two Marines in camouflage fatigues came into view, supporting personnel in off-world expedition uniforms. Moments later a Colonel Oxford introduced himself, informing the cadets that he'd been sent to check on their progress.

"Well, thanks for the assist sir," Ed replied.

But deep down he was upset. The SGC mustn't have trusted him or his team to carry out such a simple mission; why else would they send an entire battlecruiser to watch their back? This, combined with his almost-death at the hands of a single Jaffa, had left his ego seriously bruised. SG-1 had cut through battalions of Jaffa without breaking a sweat. What chance did Ed ever stand at the SGC? He'd be lucky to graduate at this point.

Oxford wished them luck and beamed back up to his ship. Edward guessed now was as gooder time as any to call it a day. "Alright SGA-7, we've got a lot of paperwork to do," he explained to the cadets as they mustered up and started back toward the Stargate.

"Cadets, let's move out."

< End of Episode >