[Steve Hamrick]

0849
Picnic Area near Landing site

Rosul looked at Doctor Malhotra. "Well, yes, it may be confusing to outsiders. Generation zero found that this was the perfectly audible voice to implement."

And the other name for their race meant no more than Earth did, but still the aliens could be a help. Rosul was quick to explain when Malhotra asked. "Of course not, copying from a copy leads to degradation, which is incompatible with the Perfection. All of the men and women of Magadha are born from the original, perfect DNA template."

When Malhotra spoke in Hindi, Steve almost understood it. The tone of voice was unmistakable, even if he'd need his boyfriend to translate the words. "We can try, but we're kind of really far away from anybody in the Milky Way who'd know us as the Tau'ri."

Rosul shook his head at the description, such disorder and chaos to have so many different people and ways. And yet, they needed help. And perhaps they could help in return with the continued refinement of the template. "And we are willing to help you. Our stargate is in the city of Transcendence, the capital of Magadha. If you would please come with us."

"'Transcendence,' you guys really have a thing for perfect, don't you?"

"Perfection is all, Major. Do your people not pursue perfection?"

Steve looked past Rosul briefly to the Magadhan ship, weighing his choices. The jumper or the Magadhan VTOL? On one hand, they were showing their hand and capability on the other putting themselves at their new friends' mercy. "We'll follow you in ours and meet you in Transcendence. Guys and lady, back to the jumper."

<<tag William Huxley, Declan Murphy, Akash Malhotra, Kana Charter>>

[Akash Malhotra]

0849
Picnic Area near Landing site

As the group turned back to the jumper, Akask picked up the pen he had dug into the earth as a mark to identify where they and hidden the vessel they had arrived in. Cleaned it and pocketed. He was not a gene egg head by any means. He was a historian for love of god. However, Doctor Ajay Martin should have been on both this mission and galaxy. Yet the former RAN was working in the Delta galaxy. "I'm not too sure about their 'perfect' world." He still needed to be convinced.

With a sigh he took a seat and stayed calm. At lest they had the ground to crash into should anything happen, "Let's fly carefully Major."

0920
Transcendence
Magadha

He stepped out of the jumper gain and this time in the middle of what appeared to be the center of the capital. He was half expecting hoover boards that were seen in the Back to the Future movies or flying cars/trucks/and possibly bicycles. He looked around in awe, "Fascinating," he smiled at Rosul or was it someone else who was not far from him. The historian couldn't be too sure with everyone having the same face anywhere he looked; regardless of the direction.

The same face thing was going to drive him nuts, yet their advancement in the gene manipulation was beyond his understanding. He wasn't going to even try picking up a book on DNA. The idea alone was scary. But it was the people on the ground around them who's mummers and stares made him feel awkward. It was given since five members of the team were of different backgrounds and had different faces.

"So where to next?" he asked Rousl's twin or whatever they called them around here. "Can we get people to stop looking at us like we are object of study."

When a nod the man lead them away from where they were standing and towards the Town Hall or at least it looked like a town hall or mayor's office at the most.

Tag: Steve Hamrick, William Huxley, Declan Murphy

[Steve Hamrick]

0921
Implementation Center
Transcendence

Rosul blushed at Doctor Malhotra's request. "I apologize for that, Doctor Malhotra. The vast majority of Magadhans have never encountered anyone who is a product of uncontrolled genetic recombination."

It was one of the men on the security team who grumbled. "Natural-borns."

His tone of voice said it all as Steve raised his eyebrows. "I refuse to be insulted while being diplomatic, but your tone of voice says that's an insult."

Rosul glared him down. "Awen 76, silence or you'll be reassigned." As the man backed down, he looked back to Steve. "Apologies, Major. It's something of a term for those who are in dissent from the Perfection of Sameness. They isolate themselves in one of the more inhospitable corners of the continent. You are visitors to our world, and not expected to be part of the Perfection. Please, follow me into the Implementation Center. The current ruling body is made up of those from generation 20, you'll speak with them about your situation."

Rosul walked off into the building, the automatic door opening in two graceful quarter-circles that disappeared into the wall. Steve could tell Malhotra was more than a little weirded out. "Doctor, you're comfortable with opening diplomacy with them? I'm already wondering about what we've even got to offer for their help."

0920
Laboratory
Implementation Center

It was only deep in the hallowed halls of the Center, with holographic displays showing the cascading chains of the two templates, that the clones of generation 20, the current ruling class, could even acknowledge the flaws that still stood in the templates. Amrin was watching the display of the male template. "The Natural-borns out in the wastes are useless, there is nowhere we can get unique genetic material. Their population size has led to inevitable inbreeding and decay, and the template is derived from the original gene pool anyway. Nothing new in them."

Renan crossed his arms and pointed to the security feeds from all over the area. "Maybe not. I think we can find useful new DNA from our visitors, Amrin, and add their best genetics to advance the template toward true perfection."

<<tag Akash Malhotra, Declan Murphy, William Huxley>>

[Akash Malhotra]

0921
Implementation Center
Transcendence

He nodded at the words of Rosul. It did made sense since they never encountered a race with all the same faces, expect the Asgards if his memory was correct. Then again they had been a copy of a copy of a copy, if he understood that part well. As most of the DNA and gene talk was well over his head in the first place. Perhaps a dummies guide might help him. Only he knew he might need it in the long term, if they were going to turn these people into allies.

Uncontrolled genetic recombination, was an interesting way of putting the Tau'ri's way of reproducing. He wasn't sure if he was insulted or not. Facing Steve, "It's not any better then being called ....what was it?" he looked at Rosul, "Ah yes, uncontrolled genetic recombination. Don't you agree, Major?"

Akash pondered over the request made by Steve. What did they have to over to people who were advanced, "Our DNA for study?" he whispered in the Marine's ear and shrugged. And he was hoping someone would object to his crazy yet on the moment idea. "It might keep them busy for a while."

Seeing the a older man dressed in uniform that told the team that he was a the they would be speaking to. The older man asserted the group. The word had been true, they were not from their wasteland but from else where. Their uniform said that much as did their gear and from what he had been told of their vessel. "I'm High Lord Manreal," he introduced himself, "Your arrival has caused such a uproar not see in eons. Intruding group as well." He looked at each of them. Did the young one have whiskers? Interesting.

With a air of politeness, Akash stepped forward, "High Lord," he greeted, he might as well be talking to royalty for all he knew, "I'm Doctor Akash Malhotra. This is my commanding Officer, Major Steve Hamrick, his XO William Huxley, Sergeant Declan Murphy. We come in hopes of receiving aid to contact our people."

He looked around, and took another step forward, "You see," he paused for words, "Our ship has been thrown off course and we are lost in the section of this galaxy that our ancestors left unexplored. So we are not able to chart our way back. If you did allow us the use of your gate, we will much grateful."

Tag: Steve Hamrick, William Huxley, Declan Murphy

[Steve Hamrick]

0921
Implementation Center
Transcendence

"If I took offense to every slur thrown at me, I would have been out of the Corps a long time ago, Doctor. I've been called far worse." As Malhotra stepped up to make introductions, he couldn't help but wonder. Predisposition to schizophrenia, queer, who knew what else.

As the High Lord spoke, Steve tried to smooth the uproar. "And we apologize for that, our situation reduced our ability to know who we were approaching."

Rosul stepped forward. "If I may take one of them into the Center to the stargate. Though it has been some time since we have attempted use of it, Doctor. We broke all ties of alliance with other worlds generations ago."

"I'm sure your gate is still operational, Rosul, those things are pretty sturdy. Malhotra, Kana and I will dialogue about trade and the tech aid for the Shiva. Huxley and Murphy, with the by-your-leave of the High Lord, head for the gate and dial Vedas base and let them know the ship's situation and that everyone is currently all right." He was damn sure a lot of people would be very eager to hear from them.

<<tag William Huxley, Declan Murphy, Akash Malhotra>>

[Akash Malhotra]

0921
Implementation Center
Transcendence

Hamrick had a point, Akash admitted as they waiting for the high lord to give them a okay to dial the gate to their own plant they were occupying. A short quick message to their XO of the Expedition wasn't asking for too much.

High Lord looked at the team then at Rosul, "The gate?" he asked, "why on earth you all need to use the device that our people keep at a monument of what once was."

Clearing his throat, Akash looked at the man, "We still work on a old fashioned level with the use of the Stargate. It's the only one we know off."

Turning to Rosul, "Shame," he said with pity in his voice, as he made a gesture for the man to lead the way towards the gate, "There's so much to see, to discover, to explore. With your technology and whatnot, I'm surprised that you and your people have not expanded to another planet." And humans were exploring third galaxy with the limited technology they had.

0930
Center of Stargate

As the group approached the area where the local gate located, Akash wasn't surprised to find it out of bounds. It more looked like a piece of device that would belong in a museum, given such care was taken to keep it in mint conditions, "Looks like someone just built it yesterday than eons ago. Impressive," he then ducked under the ropes to get to the other side. He could hear sounds of shock and disbelief along with few grasps coming. Looking around he realised it was from the people.

"I'm Tobias 34. We have gotten a special permission from the security as well for this to be used," Tobias 34 stated as the man had waited for the group to arrive, "Few people are shocked that we will be using it."

"Well then," there was a light curl of his lips, "What you see right about now," he pressed the buttons on the DHD, as he felt Tobias looking at the whole with interest, "is gonna blow your mind." The wormhole form as the burst came out it, before settling as ripple effect. There had been again the same sound he heard when he head ducked under the line as he had dialed before it was met with silence at the active gate.

"What is..." Tobias 34 trailed off as he watch in fascination his jaws nearly dropped. Then hurried after the Doctor as he pressed some buttons of his wrist.

After sending the GDO code and getting a green back, "This is Doctor Akash Malhotra," over the radio he could hear shouts to get Captain Oxford and cheers from the other side, "I don't suppose we are in trouble are we?" he stole a quick look at Tobias 34 to was just.....the expression only made him smile.

"Doctor Malhotra," a voice replied back, seemingly relived, "Thank you. You have no idea that Shiva's disappearance has caused a uproar. Is everyone alright? Any idea where the ship is or is headed?"

"We are on the planet named Magadha," he replied, "It seems we are in the sector of the galaxy that was left unexplored. We are finding a little hard tine in routing the Ship back home. Just let everyone know that we are safe and sound." While they all could get back home, leaving Shiva wasn't a choice. The ship was the only defense they had should they ever be attacked from Space.

"Yes, Doctor," came back the reply, "after all it's the doctor's orders." Akash could hear the man trying not to chuckle, "Be safe and godspeed. Keep in touch Doctor."

"You got it," he confirmed, "We will contact again asap." Taking the step back he watched the gate disengage only to face a pale looking Tobias 34.

"I guess it's time for that meeting," he nodded as he turned around unfazed compare to Tobias 34 and the crowd that was around them.

Tag: Steve Hamrick, William Huxley, Declan Murphy

[Steve Hamrick]

0930
Council Room
Implementation Center

Amrin and Renan were standing just outside the circle of the rest of the council while Manreal sat at the head. Steve was drumming his fingers while he spoke. "We had to abruptly pull power from the engines of our ship which caused damage we don't have the capacity to repair. Some of the rest of our people are trying to retrieve minerals we need in the asteroid belt-"

Renan spoke up at that. "With a pardon requested to the council, your friends may be in danger in the Belt, Major. A pack of sub-human animals led by a man named Broomhilda Woolfe stalks it."

Steve restrained himself from asking if they were 'sub-human' for not being clones. "And my friends will be able to take care of themselves. We are very grateful for the use of your stargate to contact our home base and we're ready to talk about what we can do for you."

The High Lord glanced at where Steve's still left hand was, and then at the two scientists. "There's very little you can offer us, as Magadha makes a significant effort to be self-sufficient for all our needs. But there is something, I apologize in advance."

Steve cursed at a sudden slicing pain in his left palm and raised his hand to look at the bleeding cut as a woman came forward with a medical device. While putting pressure on his pulse point, he glared at the High Lord. "What, poison? Killing us isn't going to help anyone."

Amrin was flicking with a finger on the near-flat display he held, as the genome sequencer spit out information for him. "Not poison, Major, just a blood sample. We are always seeking to improve the Perfection."

He glared the woman away as he got the first aid kit from his tac vet. "That's an oxymoron."

"Nevertheless. Amrin." The High Lord glanced at the scientist.

"Fascinating. Of course, there's a variety of flaws to be expected. Major Hamrick is predisposed to madness and mental malfunction, indicators of cancerous development to be expected in old age but heart failure is more biologically likely as a cause of death-"

"Congratulations. I know what my father died from, thanks, and what my mother has." Steve gauzed and bandaged the cut then leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. And refused to look at the rest of SV-3 on the table. There was definitely a reason for genetic information to be privileged knowledge. "However, I'm too damn old for a schizophrenic break by now."

Amrin flicked through more of the sequence. "You also have a proclivity toward other men, a trait that selects against your own-"

This was where Steve knew his research. "But those same genes are likely why my sister has six kids. Of course, considering the way you all do things you don't really care about traits that boost female fertility, even if it means her close male relatives are a little bit fruity."

"It's a valid point of course, but," he stopped talking as he got to another section. "Now this, you may have a trait of value. There's a section of your DNA that, while human, is of a different level of humanity. We would be very interested in that, Major, and in return would send propulsion technicians back with you to aid with your ship."

If there was anything he didn't like the idea of it, that was it. "We've got this saying back on our homeworld, 'Beggars can't be choosers.' But only my DNA, you don't get to pull that little table trick on anyone else, no little mini-Steves and no child support."

Amrin didn't look up from the tablet as he said absently to High Lord Manreal. "In the name of continued good relations with a potential wider gene pool, the science team finds that workable, High Lord."

"Fine, then, your techs can meet us at our good ship Lollipop."

<<tag Akash Malhotra, William Huxley, Declan Murphy>>

[Akash Malhotra]

0930-0940
Council Room
Implementation Center

He wasn't sure where things were going after the blood samples had been taken. While he had gotten the idea, but he wasn't sure just how these people would apply it to their already 'perfect' DNA-ed civilisation. Of course humans weren't that far ahead in such understandings at the moment. Perhaps with an alliance they could get a bit more understanding of their one DNA.

Realising that the meeting was getting over, he nodded to their hosts. He wasn't sure if calling them 'friends' was justified at the moment. That was something yet to be seen. Pulling out a spare GDO and small paper that held numbers for the small device, he offered it the High Lord, "Should you ever wish to contact us. This device already has the access code and its already in our system. This will allow us to know if friends or foes are on the other end."

With few more final exchanges, the group made it's way back to the jumper, "Let's get back to the ship," he commented, finally glad to be done with the mission. It wasn't long after that the jumper broke into the orbit and endless space that greeted them.

END OF MISSION