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1709

Today was the day the team was to leave for a galaxy far from their own. She was nervous. Actually, she bloody scared as a rabbit in a windstorm, but she hoped it didn't show. She hugged her dad one more time, and promised contact as soon as was possible. She hoped it would be sooner. She patted the small carry on she had-in it was her dog, Jacques. She knew it was wrong, but she just could not leave him behind. She needed something from home. She needed sanity. Besides, if she was found out, she had a letter from the director of NASA, saying that Jacques was her companion animal-she suffered OCD and terrible shyness, and thus, she needed the animal companion to keep her calm. Or so she'd said.

She was the first to arrive-whilst on her first meeting, she'd been late, that wasn't her habit. She was normally quite early, because she planned for every possible delay-traffic, road work, unexpected illnesses, poor parking. So she'd left her father's house-being closer to the base than her old flat, which she'd rented to college students-and now sat alone in a hard plastic chair as the final clean-up and first preparations began around her.

She pulled a book out to read, but she couldn't concentrate. The birds that flapped around her stomach were going to make her ill, she knew. She wished she could hurry up and board already-she wanted a look at the system that Stargate used. She'd trained on it, but she wanted to see it in action. She was antsy. She was a little excited, too. It would be the first time that she was entrusted with this amount of responsibility. Her mission commander was nice enough, but she feared letting him down.

She heard someone else approach, and smiled. It was the other female on the crew-Fiala Skala. Fee nodded, and smiled. Allo! How's your form? Fee had never lost the Irish colloquialisms she grew up with, though her accent wasn't as strong today. She had been practicing not being so loud.

Tag: Fiala

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Fiala was officially ready for her mission, bullets, ammo and underwear were all ready . After all you had to be prepared for all things and it was the small things that mattered most sometimes . All her mother and daughter knew was she was working with the Americans on mission of importance, but this time it seemed harder to say good bye to her daughter and even a planned shopping trip to New York didn't seem to help . She had grown up so fast, but she had always made sure she was part of her life and not just a mother who didn't want to be part of her life . Her job kept her away from her family but it was also her job that kept her in one piece and not some drunk mess . But she had her last phone calls and goodbyes had been said.

She had her bag on her back with all that she needed and if you couldn't put it on your back you didn't needed it . The only think she didn't have was her weapon which was still in the armory . What she did have was a bag of mini chocolate muffins and this could be the last time in a while she could have some Earth food and she would take advantage of it whiles she could . She probable wouldn't get through the pack of ten but she would see how far she could.

As she walked in the room she was total taken by surprise by a Fiona Maccafferty, after all she was allowed to be surprised since she was in probable the heaviest protected place in America and more than likely the world .

" Ahoj Ms. Maccafferty, it is good to see you have got a watch " Fiala gave a harm less smile to Fi " Would you care for a muffin and save me from having to eat them all " She had only managed to eat one but still the rest were a bit too much for here.

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Fiona was fiddling with her computer when Fiala came by. Fee's security clearance was high, and she knew the innermost workings on Stargate-their purpose, their mission, and the things they were to record and return to Earth with. She knew all that. She had wanted to be an astronaut, but the Air Force-and NASA-wouldn't accept a girl with flat feet and OCD. Apparently, organizing one's socks by color in space was problematic. Oh, well, her job as technical anaylst was as good as she would get, and she was happy enough. SOmetimes, though, she wanted more. She wanted to have a family of her own, and she wanted to see the universe, and she wanted to be like other girls, girls who were fun, and witty, and wanted. All Fee had was brilliance. It was enough in her job, but it wasn't ENOUGH. 

She looked up at Fiala. 

Ahoj Ms. Maccafferty, it is good to see you have got a watch...Would you care for a muffin and save me from having to eat them all Fee didn't know if she was kidding. Fee was bad at reading people. She smiled, but shook her head. 

No, NASA had me updating the systems early this morning. But yes, I do have a watch-two in fact. One is shaped like a cat, and the other is just a normal metal one... She sighed. Somehow, she knew that that was not what Fiala had meant. Oh, bloody hell. Oh, well. She looked at the bag of muffins. They were small. Fee didn't usually eat sweets, but one couldn't hurt. Plus, it might help the two to get to know each other. 

Sure. I don't usually eat sweet things, but I suppose a muffin would be brilliant. Haven't got any clotted cream, I suppose... When Fee ate pastries, she liked them with the sweet fluffy sauce. She shrugged, but bit into the muffing that Fiala handed her. 

[color=green}So, I think we're about ready to board, and find our quarters. Any idea when Admiral Oxford will turn up? Hopefully, AFTER she hid Jacques away. 

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No, NASA had me updating the systems early this morning. But yes, I do have a watch-two in fact. One is shaped like a cat, and the other is just a normal metal one...

Fiala took a seat, leaning back in the chair and putting her feet up on the table not caring if Fiona it bad mannered or not . The peace she had a now in the base was sure to come to an end soon and there was very little she could do . But like all good things it would soon come to an end . It had been awhile since she stepped in through the gate, it was like getting ready to meet an old friend again and not knowing how much they changed good or bad . They had asked her government for her by name and rank . She wasn't sure yet if that was good or bad but her government wanted her here and her little girl was all grown up .

Sure. I don't usually eat sweet things, but I suppose a muffin would be brilliant. Haven't got any clotted cream, I suppose...

Clotted cream had no meaning to her and cream she did understand as for Clotted that was a word she hadn't learned .

So, I think we're about ready to board, and find our quarters. Any idea when Admiral Oxford will turn up?

" What is clotted cream, is that another meaning for when it goes of " she turned her a bit to the side not knowing if clotted cream was meant as something nice or something for bad food . She stuck her head once to get the clotted cream out of her head and get back on track .
" I haven't a clue when Admiral Oxford will turn up, at the present time the best thing to do is to just relax and unwind . When the mission starts it be times like these you wish you had . As for the muffins, enjoy them while you can as you may not see them in awhile . Fiona I was hoping to see you before we left " Fiala bit the side of her lip, she wasn't sure if she should continue what she was going to say but impulse in side her wanted to get out and speak .
Fiala's voice softened " Fiona can i if give you some advise as I am guessing by now you have probable read everything you can about the gate you can and some of the report but have you stepped through it yet ?" Fiala's eye just seemed to lock on to Fiona's waiting for an answer, not wanting to scare her off.

 

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Fee settled back more, and tried to surreptiously glance in her bag to check on Jacques. He was still sleeping. She suspected that her father had given him some traquilizers, to keep him free from any fear or anxiety from take-off. Her father was smart in that way-he thought ahead. She would be sure to rouse Jacques when they were settled, and feed and water him. His toileting would be a problem, but she'd figure something out. She glanced back at Fiala, and smiled again. She was not good at the small talk lark, perferring emails or texts to actual conversation...the biggest reason it had never worked out for her romantically, or so she assumed. 

Marah spoke, the light lilting making Fee smile. 

What is clotted cream, is that another meaning for when it goes off... Fee shook her head. 

No, 'tis cream that has been heated until creamy. The clotted part is the bits off the top. It's sort of buttery, and tastes sweet. Me aunt made her own... Fee fell silent. She didn't want to discuss herself. 

They ate in silence for a few moments, and Fee ran over her orders in her head. She was to gather intel-as much as possible-and also she was to keep all systems running no matter what. Even if she had to blow her intel, or reveal her top-secret clearances, or even-heaven forfend-blow things up to make it happen. She hadn't been successful in getting reassigned-quite the opposite. She'd been told that if she didn't take this assignment, she'd be summarily canned, and any future prospects at Civil Service would be off the table. In short, she was forced-by both buearacracy and an evil boss-to be here today. 

Fiala spoke again. 

I haven't a clue when Admiral Oxford will turn up, at the present time the best thing to do is to just relax and unwind . When the mission starts it be times like these you wish you had . As for the muffins, enjoy them while you can as you may not see them in awhile . Fiona I was hoping to see you before we left... Oh, bloody hell. That sounded ominous. She just nodded, not speaking because her mouth was full, and that was rude. She was dreading this a bit, and there were birds flapping away in her stomach. 

Fiala wasted no time. 

Fiona can i if give you some advise as I am guessing by now you have probable read everything you can about the gate you can and some of the report but have you stepped through it yet ? Fee gulped. She might have some fancy pants security clearance, but she'd bet the Queen herself wouldn't be allowed to see the inside of this ship. She shook her head. 

I have read every report done since the beginning of the program...even before. When I was with the FBI, I read their files on Roswell, and area 51. But..no. I have never been inside. Even the Queen herself doesn't have that high of a security clearance. What did Fee NOT know?! She began to worry. 

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Fiala glanced at the table hoping for words to come out of the wood, but all she got was memories of the past and that wasn't a bad thing . There had been some bad times, but there had also been good which always out weighted the bad in her books .

" It's like taking a bite in to an apple, your told how it tastes but till you bite in to it you just can't get it right and the apple different every time . I was like you when I joined the other mission, well not.." Fiala paused looking for a word which didn't have a geek in it, but to no look and instead changing the end of her sentences ,".. as good with paper work . But like any mission on Earth I went through as much as I could of anything I could get my hands on of the enemy and had the Stargate had some enemy's ." Fiala raised her head and looked straight at her, " Fiona worst part of these missions I found was been away from the family .  Some find it hard to be away and.." Fiala reached in to the bag to get her self another muffin hoping to catch her wording .

" What I'm trying to say is that this is not some mission to space were it will take a day to get a message from your family, and believe me all do you may know it you may not realize that till it's too late . " Fiala paused making sure she had't confused her self and again thinking about her daughter, she reached in to her pocket and took out a photo and passed it to Fiona . As she handed it to Fiona she smiled, " That is my daughter and mother . You would be amazed how much you can miss when you blink ." In the picture was a grey old woman with with skin good for her age holding a banner with a  teenager around sixteen with jet black hair and a smile that would warm the coldest heart . On the banner they were holding were words in Czech Miluji tě matka .

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The other woman seemed to be at a loss for words. This worried Fee just a bit; she was used to women in postions of authority to be the opposite. She was also learning more about her collegues, and knew that Fiala was a Lieutant in the Czech army. Fee had the utmost respect for people who served their country, because she'd never had the nerve or yearning. She was too smart. She was too plain. There were a lot of reasons, but the biggest one was fear. She was trying not to show that fear. She was TRYING to be brave. She had told her superiors that she shouldn't be here, that she should only be backup, but it fell on deaf ears. She had not other recourse. So she was here. 

Fiala spoke again, trying to explain to her what she meant to be her point. 

It's like taking a bite in to an apple, your told how it tastes but till you bite in to it you just can't get it right and the apple different every time . I was like you when I joined the other mission, well not...s good with paper work . But like any mission on Earth I went through as much as I could of anything I could get my hands on of the enemy and had the Stargate had some enemy's . Fiona knew that, when the woman paused, she was trying not to offend her by using the word "nerd" or "geek". It was OK, though. Fee knew she was.  Fee also knew that the Stargate program had enemies. Mainly, the Russian space program, but others, too. She nodded her head. 

I am aware of that... Why had Fiala shared that?! She wasn't sure. The woman continued, and Fee listened intently. She had the feeling that she had much to learn from the older woman. 

What I'm trying to say is that this is not some mission to space were it will take a day to get a message from your family, and believe me all do you may know it you may not realize that till it's too late. That is my daughter and mother . You would be amazed how much you can miss when you blink . Fiona leaned forward and took the photo, and smiled. 

I understand, Lieutant. I don't have much to lose back here...me da isn't excited, but he does know that I know my limits. I don't expect to be able to talk to them much, but there's email and things. There'll be shuttles back to the Base, and home...won't there? Your daughter is gorgeous, and your mum looks like you. You're lucky to have your mum around still... She sighed, and handed the photograph back. She, once again, felt like she was out of her league. When would she start to feel like a grown up girl?!

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    Fiala took the photo back and placed it back were she always kept it, close to the heart and safe . Her view of woman seemed to be changing, for the better and not a possible danger as she mite be to the team as expected . All the same there was still something that fee was hiding, that's what Fiala saw as fee spoke .

    " This Photo and other one is the one piece home I bring with, it helps keep me centered and focused . Yea I am lucky, did I give her hell when I was young but look as us now a family again . She hates it when I leave for so long . She always did . But my family is not why I'm here " Fiala was getting of track and needed to get herself back on to what she was saying ." First rule  Fiona is to be expected for the unexpected , second rule is be part of the team and not someone on the outside . Remember the military are here to protect you, you needed to trust us to get you back home safe and you need to be open . We are your family so be open to me."

Her eyes glanced down and then back up at Fee . Fiala while in her early part of her career had worked hard in get rid of the bad apples, plus finding unwanted and illegal contraband in the barracks . It was how she made a name for herself and what made her who she was . Orders were Orders and corruption was something she wouldn't take . But The civs were different than the military and she had let them off with there none treat contraband . Heres the thing was Fiona willing to be open to her . 


    " Have you anything that's personal from home that your taking with you ? "

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Fiona fished an apple from her bag. She wasn't truly hungry, but she was restless and found interacting with Fiala draining. Not that Fiala was boring-the opposite was true-but Fee was a bit of an introvert and it exhausted her to discuss herself. She took a bite, and chewed thoughtfully. 

This Photo and other one is the one piece home I bring with, it helps keep me centered and focused . Yea I am lucky, did I give her hell when I was young but look as us now a family again . She hates it when I leave for so long . She always did . But my family is not why I'm here.. Fee nodded. She knew the woman's storied military history. She knew the decorations and the commendations that she had. She knew the power. It frightened her a bit-the only military she was used to was the odd Air Force pilot to wander through her office at NASA whilst looking for the flight deck. Air Force people were nerdy, like she. They weren't dangerous, trained killers. That's how Fiona viewed wars. Call her nieve, but she believed that peace was underrated. 

I imagine it was difficult for you, being away for so long. I remember when me mum left us...I wondered when she was coming back. She never did, though... Fiona fell silent, and a crimson blush started across her nose. She shouldn't have revealed that about herself. She hated to appear weak or needy. She was over it now. 

Fiala continued as Fee munched away. It hadn't dawned on her to share, but she did have the courtesy to fish out a napkin and wipe her face. Her glasses slid down her nose, and she pushed them back up. 

First rule Fiona is to be expected for the unexpected , second rule is be part of the team and not someone on the outside . Remember the military are here to protect you, you needed to trust us to get you back home safe and you need to be open . We are your family so be open to me. Fee nodded. She understood that intellectually, but an emotional side of her wanted to run. She smiled, though. 

Sure.She tossed her apple into a plastic baggie to discard before boarding. It was getting close to time. She was growing more antsy. 

Have you anything that's personal from home that your taking with you ? Fee sighed. SHe reached into her bag and pulled out some photos,and handed them over. 

That's me da, and me stepmum. The other one there, that's Liam, my brother...and there's something else, but you mustan't tell anyone else... She pulled the duffel where Jacques was still sleeping to the middle between two women. This is Jacques the French Bulldog. I would've left him, but Liam is allergic, and Daddy said he'd send him to the pound... Her father had never been keen on pets. She opened the bag to reveal her PUPPY. 

I've made a mistake, haven't I?