[Vanessa Collins]

1545
Briefing Room

She had called the only teams available along with the mission team who had gone for a meet and greet. So now she sat in the chair that was for Expedition Commanding Officer. One was MIA while the other had gone back to Earth. IOA were butting their noses again. Only one would fear what they were up to this time. A quick talk with Kim had yield nothing. It appeared that the woman knew little of what was going on. Sighing she looked that SV-9's CO, Major Jack Moore who sat on her left. Her right side was empty, as it was left open for other teams on the base. At the moment she was waiting for Major Tyrone Gaines, the SV-2 Commanding Officer and Chief of Operations for Vedic Expedition as well the others to arrive.

Picking up a pen and opening the folder, "Major Moore let's start the debriefing once the other have arrived. I'm quite keen to hear the tale of what these potions do or are for."

Moore looked at her with a glare, "Excuse me, Doctor," he began, "Shouldn't Major Gaines be leading this briefing? After all this is a military lead expedition and Major here is the highest ranking officer after the Captain Oxford." A snicker came from the XO.

Looking at Moore's right hand man, Collins silenced the man with a stare, "Major Moore," she leaned back after jotting down few keywords, "Do you have anything against me leading? I can assure you that, you are in capable hands during this briefing. If you feel otherwise Major Gaines can take over."

In response Moore flinched uncomfortably. Yet didn't dare to move out the room over the consequences it generate.

<<Tag: James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer, Vanessa Whitmore>>

[Blake Warren]

1545
Briefing Room

Blake walked in, the files from the social and cultural aspect of SV-9's most recent mission on his tablet as he carried it. And really, having to receive those from every team going out was starting to make a pile of work that he'd be very happy to split with Henry again, thank you very much.

But at least their missing were confirmed alive, if doing their best impression of the crew of the SS Minnow. He gave Vanessa a tired smile of acknowledgment, and a nod to Moore as he sat down and flicked out the tablet's kickstand to put in front of him on the heavy table. "Dr. Collins, Major Moore, I've got some preliminary findings, but we'll wait for everyone else to get here."

<<tag Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer, Vanessa Whitmore>>

[Kata Harris]

1545
Briefing Room

It had been an interesting few weeks since the sleep depriving mission that resulted in a stolen Stargate; besides catching up on some much needed sleep, Kata also had started the grim task of starting the email to her uncle telling him that her cousin had been killed in action, she was halfway through it when they got word that the Shiva was fine. Kata wasted no time in deleting everything she had written. 

Now since Captain Oxford had been called back to Earth and with both Admiral and Colonel Oxford still gone, the base had needed someone to handle things. That person ended up being Dr. Collins, the expedition Psychologist, and though some people didn't want to believe it, the woman had a good grasp on what she was doing. Business continued as normal as normal could go. 

Dr. Collins had called a debriefing and asked that any aviable personal attend; apparently one of the off world teams had found something intersting. Captain Harris walked down one of the hallways of the Base and soon arrived at the briefing room, her eyes quickly went to Major Moore and she resisted frowning. Though he was a higher rank than her, Kata had never cared for the man. He was often, in one word, rude. Kata knew he wasn't thrilled that a civilian was now running the expedtion, but chain of command wise Collins was the highest, "Dr. Collins." she said taking her eyes from Moore and looking to the Psychologist, Kata nodded to her before looking back to Moore, "Major, and Dr. Warren." having greeted everyone present she moved around the table and took a seat next to Blake. "Rumor through the gr**evine is that SV-9 found something interesting.." she said resting her arms on the table. 

[Billie Jean Witwer]

1545
Briefing Room

When the word had arrived that Collins was calling for available team members to join in a briefing, Billie had been platting a good amount of cookies on her plate, rather than leaving them she walked in nibbling on one and just in time to hear Collins saying that Gaines could take over. Although it was baffling as to what it could be. Hopefully her CO wasn't thinking of something bad. She as about bite into it again when Moore's disapproval at her actions caught her attention. Slowly she placed the plate down but didn't part with her cookie.

"I wasn't aware that Major was planning another mission," she spoke, "Doctor Collins." And noted that it ruffled Moore's feathers. Is that what this was about? A Civvie taking over the base while Captain Oxford faced the wolves - known as the IOA- back home. A word about his departure got around too. Well two could play the game.

Taking another bite, "Oooh," she looked at SV-9, "new finds?" Then grinned sweetly at Moore, "Sir."

<<Tag: Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Vanessa Whitmore>>

[Blake Warren]

1546
Briefing Room

Blake scrolled through the mission notes as SV-2 entered the room. "Captain Harris, Lieutenant Witwer. Afternoon."

"I've got the notes on some of the conditions the indigenous people use the medicines for, it's quite a variety. Major, you noted their agriculture methods could use significant improvement which gives us our opening for knowledge trading. If their medications work and it's not a cultural presentation of the placebo effect, hopefully. How much treatment did you see in person?"

<<tag Billie Jean Witwer, Kata Harris, Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Tyrone Gaines>>

[Vanessa Whitmore]

1546
Briefing Room

It was mid afternoon and Vanessa was just now waking up, well she had theoretically been up and moving around for an hour. Like Kata she had been sleep deprived since the start of the last mission. She was happy that her headaches were not lingering this morning. She approached the briefing room and slipped in quietly. Vanessa didn't have any input and therefore didn't speak to open her mouth. Things were going to get confusing when someone called out Vanessa's name, they were going to get two heads instead of one. She was fairly certain someone was going to try it. Right. they were going to put the shrink in charge. First she wanted to see what her brother had been smoking.

She was still calm and quiet as she leaned against the wall. Vanessa rarely if ever sat anymore; it was a waste of time and she was going to be right back up and into the whole mix of things. The woman shook her head at some of what people were saying and nodded to other things more of acknowledgement than anything else. Vanessa was loud when she wanted to be but now was definitely not the time.

Tag; James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer, Vanessa Collins

[Vanessa Collins]

1546
Briefing Room

She would speak to Moore later, Vanessa made a mental note as others started streaming into the briefing room, if she didn't get a chance, then she would leave it for Robert deal with it. Knowing that in the military chains of command she wasn't highest, yet she still out rank most military members given her level. Counting heads, she realised that only two people yet to arrive were the XO of SV-1 and the CO of SV-2. She will give them another five before sending an SF to find them and see if they were available to join them.

Nodding at Harris, "Medical portions," she said out loud, just as Witwer strolled in. Although she had not had much interaction with the Navy Officer personally. She had heard nothing but good about the young woman. Her personality was a breath of fresh air among the military structure. Smiling at the officer, Collins was amused as the cookies were placed on the table. "I don't think he is, Witwer," she replied to the comment softly.

She shifted to see Warren when the Doctor began speaking. Making more notes she waited for Moore to speak. There were high chances that the man wont, but to her surprise he did. It appeared he was having issues with a Civvie being in charge.

"There methods of farming could use a little work in nooks and corners. Nothing major, as they are doing fine on their own for years. Their potions don't appear to be of placebo effect. And how well it will suit our make up nothing can be said for certain." Looking at his team, "We didn't see any treatments show huge change in a go, but rather it has been said it was over time. The few of the records that were show - with approval from the person- there was slow yet gradual effects of the treatment in the records. Some over days/weeks/months. Not very noticeable, but it was there."

Vanessa looked up after jotting down few notes, "Will they allow us to see an on-going treatment? Or how the portions are made, used if asked?" Vanessa looked at SV-9 as she leaned back in Matt's chair.

Again Moore shifted, "Hard to say, Doctor," he looked at Collins, "A try won't harm."

Vanessa nodded, "Once Captain Oxford returns, a proposal for official trade and alliance will be finalised, that if we are not able to become friendly with these people till then. Your team Major will be responsible to keeping the communication and goodwill open. If this goes south, it's will be on your shoulders."

Flinching at the woman's command she had given, Moore nodded. The nerve of her.

<<Tag: James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer, Vanessa Whitmore>>

[Tyrone Gaines]

1546
Briefing Room

Gaines strode into the room, carrying two very large briefing folders. He was doing his best to remain calm, knowing full well that he was late. Since the USS Shiva had disappeared, taking with it a bulk on the base personnel, everyone else had been forced to step up and take on extra duties. For Tyrone, that meant overseeing intel and ops briefings, the very type of meeting that had just run over time and was the cause of him being behind schedule this afternoon. Still, he put up a facade of calmness, trying to project that he was in control of the situation.

“Apologies,” he simply said, talking a seat near Doctor Collins, the acting base commander. Her selection for the role was curious given that unlike Atlantis, the Vedas expedition had a long history of military leadership. Someone much higher up the food chain than Gaines must have known something that they weren’t telling him.

Opening one of his bugling folders, Tyrone flicked to the mission report in question. Yes, he remembered reading this one. Farmers on a far off planet, nice enough people who had medicines that early tests revealed to be quite potent. A recommendation to commence trade talks with them ASAP. All the hallmarks of an SGC best seller.

The former bomber pilot listened as Major Moore debriefed all present on his recent mission to an agriculture world who possessed healing knowledge that seemed to be more advanced than their civilisation’s development would suggest. “From your report, you suspect the development of the medicines might have been beyond the capabilities of the farmers. Is there anything to suggest they had off-world help? Could it be these benevolent Devas at work?”

It could have been a case of priorities - throw enough resources at a problem and a united people could move heaven and earth to achieve it. Putting a man on the moon was an example of this. In other galaxies, more advanced species often had rules against helping those more ‘primitive’. It remained to be seen if the Devas shared this sentiment.a

< Tag Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Blake Warren, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer & Vanessa Whitmore >

[Blake Warren]

1547
Briefing Room

Blake paid attention to the other members of the briefing while he went over the pictures and video taken by SV-9. The architecture was rather beautiful, he'd like to meet the people in person but he doubted that would happen. As Dr. Collins questioned more information from Moore, Blake nodded to Moore's mention of effects being over a span of time. "Well, that would suggest genuine medical efficacy, instant cures are the stuff of charlatans usually."

As for keeping the lines of communication open, he looked to Moore. "If you need another social scientist to go back with you, I'm sure Chief Calmara would loan me out for a day. Most of the way through the backlog now."

He shook his head at Major Gaines' suggestion. "Not necessarily. Don't underestimate what 'undeveloped' people can do after generations of knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs. We wouldn't have aspirin if people hadn't already used willow bark for pain, the penicillium mold was used against infection long before anyone derived penicillin from it."

<<tag Kata Harris, Vanessa Collins, Tyrone Gaines>>

[Kata Harris]

1547
Briefing Room

Harris fought to keep a smile from crossing her face as Witwer spoke to Moore, as the blonde sat down Kata reached over the table and snagged a cookie from the plate, giving Barbie a quick smile before leaning back in her chair. She listened as Dr. Warren, Major Moore and Dr. Collins dicussed SV-9's finds; all while enjoying her cookie and watching Moore get shot down by Collins. “From your report, you suspect the development of the medicines might have been beyond the capabilities of the farmers. Is there anything to suggest they had off-world help? Could it be these benevolent Devas at work?” Gaines had a good point, usually when low tech community suddenly had advancements it was either by hard work, or the help of some more powerful being. And sometimes the latter wasn't the nicest thing in the galaxy.

"Not necessarily. Don't underestimate what 'undeveloped' people can do after generations of knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs. We wouldn't have aspirin if people hadn't already used willow bark for pain, the penicillium mold was used against infection long before anyone derived penicillin from it." Another good point from Dr. Warren, Kata leaned forward and rested her arms back on the table, "I not a sciencetist, but can't we test to see if these things work and or have any benifical properties, before evening touching them?" she looked around the table, "Maybe even see if the properties that make up said potions are natural or maybe even man made?"

Tag: Vanessa Collins Vanessa Whitmore Billie Jean Witwer Blake Warren Tyrone Gaines

[Vanessa Collins]

1546- 1547
Briefing Room

She noted the arrival of Gaines while Moore had been speaking. The folders he brought him were she suspected for this meeting. Like others he had been also helping out by taking a good chunk of work. Vanessa had picked up most of Travis's role as a the Adviser to the expedition as well, plus now with Robert back on Earth for a meeting with IOA, the role of Base Commander was on her plate as well. Some days she felt that it would have been easier to give to Gaines to start with. On the other hand the decision wasn't up to her. Colonel Kimberly McKinnon had more or less told her that SGC was putting her in charge - as they wanted someone who knew ins and outs of all the working of an expedition - till Bobby returned or the ship did. She was hoping for the latter to happen. Logically she knew it wasn't possible for the missing ship to show up like magic.

"That's quite alright Major," she gave him a nod, "you haven't missed much." As the folders were place she looked at them as he pulled to reports and listened. Suggestions that higher ups from this galaxy had a hand in it wasn't new, yet applying to potions might be. Through out the history of SGC had shown that not all species were the same.

Now comfortable with ranking officer, Jack Moore faced Tyrone, "Yes," he nodded, "I did suspect it. The whole villiage is of simple people, simple need, if you get the drift Gaines. From what my team has seen there are no signs of tech development or development of any kind to suggestion that these people created or made these. There are no signs of trades with other villages even if there are some close by. But the bottles themselves aren't well -as vine talks floated around- local to the planet."

"However there is one man...they call ..well a witch doctor, local healer. Has them." He looked at all the faces, "And some locals have hinted that it could be the work of the 'gods'."

Listening to Warren, "That would make sense," Vanessa spoke, "slow healing. As it's plant based. It appears to be more of a aiding agent than say proper medical potion." She wasn't well versed in the medicine, that much could be clear.

"Now Doctor-" Moore begin as he shifted to protest, but decided against picking on her reasoning and cut himself off, "Never mind." Civilians would never get it, not the one in charge.

"Doctor Warren," she looked at the only member of the flagship team, present in the meeting, "I'm sure something can be worked out for you attendance to this planet. I'll speak with James." And from the sound of it Warren had a point it seemed with that her mind turned to the Titans who had deceived most of the Delta Expedition with their simple ways, "Nothing sinister we should be aware about?" she asked after a pause.

Harris's input shifted the focus to the potions themselves. Which on it's own wasn't a bad idea, "Our Science team has already started working with one or two of them as soon as they were brought in. As it has been few hours, it might be good to pay them a visit soon." She had been expecting one of them to come running into the briefing announcing whatever their finds.

<<Tag: James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Vanessa Whitmore>>

((Who let her go wordy?? Heh!))

[Tyrone Gaines]

1548
Briefing Room

The personnel present continued to discuss the origins of the medicines, debating if they were the product of local ingenuity or off-world intervention. Both were possible at the moment. It seemed to all hinge on the witch doctor who was responsible for them. He could have come from a long line of healers and closely guarded his secrets to good health. He could just have easily been an imposer from another world, pedalling science as magic. The SGC had seen its fair share of both.

Tyrone’s XO, Captain Harris, suggested that they conduct further testing on the medicine. She was a woman of action, and Gaines liked that about her. Doc Collins agreed.

“Alright,” the major said as he gathered up his array of folders. “Let’s go and see what all the fuss is about.”

1602
Laboratory Observation Room

From the safety of an adjacent room and a thick sheet of glass, the gathered personnel watched as the scientists and technicians in the lab next door, attired in HAZMAT suits, carry out their tests of the medicines brought back by the off-world team. Some of those who had been in the briefing room had suited up and were in the lab assisting. Tyrone had declined the offer; he’d read too many SGC reports to know how dangerous handling alien substances could be.

“Obviously, live-trial experiments are out of the question,” he asked out aloud. Without a sick or injured expedition member willing to donate their body to science, he imagined their assessment of the medicines would have to be mostly theoretical in nature. “Have we seen any parallels to substances from back on Earth? Could they just be antibiotics in a fancy looking bottle?”

Inside the lab, the scientists continued their work, opening the bottles and subjecting their contents to all manner of tests. Samples were being heated, spun in centrifuges, smeared on petri dishes and studied under microscopes. It was a hive of activity, but one the major was glad was separated from him by some serious decontamination technology.

“What about this shaman, did the team learn much about him? He could know more than he is letting on.”

< Tag Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Blake Warren, Kata Harris, Billie Jean Witwer & Vanessa Whitmore >

[Blake Warren]

1548
Briefing Room

It wasn't his field, but Captain Harris had a good point and of course it was being done. "Well, the bottles could be beyond the local technical capacity, I'll admit that. I'd still like to argue against the overall assumption that humans can't accomplish anything without extraterrestrial interference."

He nodded as Doctor Collins said she'd talk to Calmara. "I can be ready in about thirty minutes, it'd be easier to tell in person if there has been any outside interference with them."

With the end reached in discussion, Blake flicked through the data. But he didn't really have the background to say much on the actual science of the medication.

On the other hand - he was about to gouge his eyes out from catching up on the social sciences section work and hoped fervently that their errant people came back soon. A few minutes to apply what he'd seen in person of natural medicines with the Paiute was completely applicable, and then he'd go back to his lab. "Right behind you, Major."

1602
Laboratory Observation Room

Blake still had his files open as Gaines was speaking. "Well, obviously to that. And I was reading the notes on the people, Tim, that is, Dr. Bradley on SV-9 has a, colorful, way of describing people. Though I would assume that he didn't literally mean the shaman looked like a 'distended, rat-faced fink.' That, could be a compliment in Tim-land."

Blake had to shake his head. And this was why he wanted to see the place and people in person. It wasn't that he didn't like the other anthropologist, but. As the hard scientists were examining the medications, Blake read the mission reports.

<<tag Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Kata Harris, Tyrone Gaines>>

[Kata Harris]

1602
Laboratory Observation Room

Kata stood with Major Gaines and Dr. Warren on the safe side of the glass watching the scientists do their science thing. It looked like an episode of a crime show with all the machines and test tubes, you know, the lab part of the show...not the dead body part. “Obviously, live-trial experiments are out of the question,” she couldn't help but laugh a bit at Gaine's comment, "I'm afraid that is one opportunity that I will have to pass on." she replied as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Isn't that is what lab rats are for?" she added. Her younger sister would have a cow if she heard Kata saying that, Emily was one who tried to save any and every animal. 

While Gaines and Warren spoke she watched as a scientist slowly carried a beaker with a weird colored liquid to another table; everyone was being extra careful, nothing was rushed and everything calculated. Least it looked that way. "Well, obviously to that. And I was reading the notes on the people, Tim, that is, Dr. Bradley on SV-9 has a, colorful, way of describing people. Though I would assume that he didn't literally mean the shaman looked like a 'distended, rat-faced fink.' That, could be a compliment in Tim-land." Kata scratched her chin, "Sounds like the shaman is quiet the looker. Dr. Bradley have any notes of what his work space might have looked like?" she asked looking over to Warren. 


Tag Vanessa Collins, James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines Billie Jean Witwer Vanessa Whitmore

[Vanessa Collins]

((Joint post with Vanessa Collins and Billie Jean Witwer))

1602
Laboratory Observation Room

She hadn't been on this side of the room in years. Last time she had been was now to fresh in her mind. Ignoring that, she leaned on the table and watched the activity in the labs as they happened. She wanted to laugh as Blake read a words from Bradly's report. The man did have interesting choice of words. His reports were professional yet with the right tone of humor thrown in, which made his reports worth reading when one got fed up by reading military toned reports.

She turned her head to face Harris, "We don't have rats around," she pointed out, "And using alien rats could be a bad idea. Their chemical make up in their system is likely to be different to our rats back on Earth. Besides, I doubt, that any us want a giants rats running around here if this goes south." Having rats on loose around the base was not going to please Robert Oxford. The man was already edgy as it was. With a IOA review on his hands, she didn't want add more to his plate that seemed already full.

Walking towards the glass, she looked at the group on the other side, and opened the communication channel via microphone, "Aaron," she called the name of the one of the scientist, Aaron Jenkins, "Can you please give us updates?"

Billie was leaning on the door way silently, stilling eating of her cookie she had tucked in her pocket. She nearly chocked om her cookie that was in her mouth, "A crush I sense Captain?" she smiled sweetly at Harris, "I'm sure he would be willing to elope."

Jenkins looked up at the Base Commander, "Uh...well," he began, "Most of them seemed to be herb based. Some contains chemical that well I have never seen before. Nothing back on Earth comes close to anything here. It appears that we might be looking at some new elements and chemicals."

<<Tag: James Calmara, Blake Warren, Tyrone Gaines, Kata Harris, Vanessa Whitmore>>