While the Major, Kyle and Jackie went inside this odd community, that left Travis, Ru'tan and Jason outside. There was no reason to hang around the stargate, though, except for an emergency exit.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 1):

Fox dials home and makes the preliminary report then sets a light guard to keep every one on their toes, not that it really seems to need it

Jason grimaced a moment when the Major told Travis to dial home, since, he, Jason, had just asked about doing it, but then he shrugged. That was the military way of doing things.

"Well, Travis, are you going to send the MALP back?" he asked his teammate. The Major hadn't specified one way or the other, but that was SOP. Jason didn't see any reason for keeping it. If they had to make a hasty retreat, the MALP would just slow them down or have to be abandoned.

Of course, it did provide cover, but it strained Jason's mind to think from what, since the otter-folk did not seem to have any concerns about invaders or predators. On the other hand, their cliff dwelling behind the waterfall was a pretty secure place, especially as it only seemed to be accessible via water. Damned clever.

He tried to recall what he knew about otters, and discovered that he knew next to nothing. He vaguely knew what they looked like, of course, but he wasn't even sure he could have told the difference between an otter, a weasel, a ferret or other types of critters. He didn't know where they lived or what they even ate.

"We should stash the Major's bundle out of sight, and double up our carrying the weapons. It'll make for a quit exit if we need one."

<quote Jason Bjorn>
"Well, Travis, are you going to send the MALP back?" he asked his teammate. The Major hadn't specified one way or the other, but that was SOP. Jason didn't see any reason for keeping it. If they had to make a hasty retreat, the MALP would just slow them down or have to be abandoned.

Fox considers
"My feel is to keep it this time, if they have to make a hasty retreat then the loss of this item will make do difference". "Since we will not have time to dial home"

Ru'tan wanders up to where Fox and Bjorn speak about the clever machine the Tau'ri use to explore gates, looking around. "This place is quite peaceful. I wonder if it's like this all around or just here. Perhaps these beings do not allow confrontation in it's vicinity?" Ru'tan shrugs as he says this, knowing that it's all just guesswork.

"I would like to see more of this planet. Do you think we could?" he asks the two men beside him.

" Like wise Ru'tan." "But until the commander returns or gives new orders we hold as ordered. Not what I came to do but that is the way of it."
"Ru'tan may I ask you some questions please of your warrior cast"

It's a toss up whether Ru'tan's Jaffa senses are better than Travis's Apache skills, but both get an odd sense that something is happening... not in the cliff dwelling beneath the waterfall, but somewhere out in the forest.

The increasing silence is slowly working its way toward the stargate as the birds and the frogs and the insects stop making noise.

 Fox uses the radio and points out the incoming presence to the team. Over the radio he says "Commander we have some thing incoming through the forest, all the wildlife is going quiet out there"

Major Dillon's voice came back over Fox's radio.  "Copy.  Fall back a safe distance from the gate, and try to find out what it is without being seen.  Keep me updated. Over."

Ru'tan's expression grows taut as he notices the strangeness approaching through the forest. Hearing Major Dillon's order over the radio, he nods at Travis, and moves to a copse of small trees away from the gate, close to the pond, where he crouches down, watching for whatever to make an appearance.

18:10, Today: Ru'tan rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Spot Incoming.

"It could be just some natural predator heading to this pond for water," suggests Jason, as he moves to take cover. "We all know it isn't, though, right? I mean, I don't see any game trails... not that I'm an expert, mind you, but I just don't get the impression from these otter-folk that they are worried about any predators."

"Make sure we have an exit route. We might be able to dive into the pond to get inside, but I don't think that's the best course of action."

"Also, not to contradict the major, but I think someone should scout ahead... not wait for the threat to materialize. It limits our response options."

"How about it, Travis? Want to take a gander at the incoming? Science fiction not withstanding, any predator is going to be leary of us humans... we're an unknown quantity. We're not on their dinner menu. Yet."

Jason had paid particular attention to the mission reports when they dealt with alien creatures. He wasn't really much of a hunter, but he'd read lots of science fiction, seen the movies... He'd been struck by the mundane aspects of other worlds. No bug-eyed monsters... other than the Goa'uld. Most worlds were horrifyingly normal.

"Fox, our hosts say there are a few other clans of their kind on the planet, it might be a trading party, but they say there is no other intelligent life.  It may also be some sort of large predator called a Snarl.  Avoid contact if possible, kill it of you have to.  Over."  Dillon's voice was low, aware of the fact that loud reports from Fox's radio may give his position away.

Fox softly gives the order engage only if necessary. Allow it to com in and drink and leave peacefully if it will

Ru'tan's staff weapon snaps open with it's signature buzzing click. He points the weapon in the direction of the movement and keeps his position, nodding to Fox.

"Fine. I'll scout ahead. I've already got a rep for not following orders too well," Jason comments to Ru'tan, since Travis apparently was ignoring him.


Jason chose to take a somewhat circuitous route around the direction that the disturbance was coming from, as his stealth wasn't that good. He preferred a more direct confrontation.

He made a point to move from one tree to another... particularly a tree that he could climb in case it was that snarl predator the Major told them about. He was sure it could climb, but it would be at a disadvantage while it was climbing. He hoped.

"If it's got 8 legs, I'm fubarred!" he commented softly to himself.

21:27, Thu 19 June 2014: Jason Bjorn rolled 8,13 using 1d20+6,1d20+4 ((2,9)) Spot and Listen.

<quote Jason Bjorn>
"Fine. I'll scout ahead. I've already got a rep for not following orders too well," Jason comments to Ru'tan, since Travis apparently was ignoring him.


NOt so Fox gave the orders given him in general. IF you chose to ignore that please do not blame Fox

Ru'tan's lips compress when Bjorn stalks off. He looks over at Fox and says in a low voice, "I'm sure that was unwise." He takes a steady position, ready to back Bjorn up with heavy fire if needed.

 Fox's eyes narrow as the man ignores a team order, "you are correct Ru'tan it was not."
Uses radio "Jason get your self back here" he orders softly

I was role-playing in character. Your comment wasn't. And you did ignore Jason--you didn't even acknowledge that he had spoken to you, regardless of whether you agreed with him.

Besides, the Major's orders were nebulous enough to allow for some 'interpretation'.

And one of Jason's feats is Unconventional.


Jason heard Travis's order over the radio, and quickly ducked down in case something out there had also heard it.

"Frack!" he swore under his breath as he pulled out the radio's earbud and plugged it in before inserting it into his ear. As a further precaution, he turned on the voice activation.

"Absolutely, sir-yes-sir," Jason replies just as softly. "As soon as I make contact with the enemy."

 Storm softly into the radio
"the order is to let it pass un apposed if it will we only engage if forced"

Jason doesn't get a chance to respond to Travis as he has made contact with the enemy, although it's only visual contact... so far.

Barely 40 feet away from him is a Jaffa warrior. It appears to be wearing some sort of serpent headgear and carrying a staff weapon.

He then sees another one, and another. Now that he knows what to look for, he counts around 20 of them spread out in two-deep skirmish line. They aren't making much noise because they are moving rather slowly; they aren't smashing around in the brush and undergrowth, or at least what there is of it.

Although they aren't very stealthy, their slow movement is keeping the wildlife from giving them away.

This message was deleted by the player at 05:09, Mon 23 June 2014.

At the first sight of the Jaffa, Jason froze in place, although he hadn't really been moving around at that point. He slowly lowered his head so that the visor of his cap would hide his face.

Then he just as slowly moved completely behind the tree. Once behind the tree, he crouched down and began moving away in the underbrush. There were some down tree logs, saplings, and a few bushes, but not nearly enough to provide the cover he needed.

He then tried to retrace the route he'd taken to get there, only trying to be a little faster. He wasn't sure how far he had to be from the Jaffa before he could safely use his radio, but he estimated half way back.

If he makes it that far, he activates his radio, and says in almost a whisper:

"Jaffa inbound. 20 in two skirmish lines. Moving slow."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:12, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Travis Fox (msg # 22):
Fox replies
"Avoid and come in from side if possible"
"Do not fire until intent is known"

Ru'tan's face looks grim as he works the staff in his hands, shifting them ever so slightly. "Jaffa?" he whispers. "What are Jaffa doing here?"

Jason was retracing his steps, which was a round about route anyway. He does not engage the Jaffa.

After a few minutes, the 'Jaffa' begin appearing in the forest. Still moving slowly while scouting ahead, one finally steps out of the cover of a tree and Travis and Ru'tan can now see that there is something odd about this 'Jaffa'.

Although he is wearing a serpent headdress/helmet/mask and carrying a staff weapon, he is not wearing armor, but has a pair of straps crisscrossed over his chest. In the center of this crisscross is a gold disc with a strange symbol on it.

It takes a moment for the image to fully register, along with a movement of his head. That's when you realize the creature is not wearing a helmet at all! His head is that of a serpent or lizard. It resembles both in some ways, yet isn't fully either one.

You next see that it has a tail... a bit like an alligator's tail.

One by one, more of these creatures come into view. They are still staying behind cover, but are easily within striking distance of the pond. They are all dressed the same and carrying a staff weapon.

Moving slowly and quietly, Ru'tan removes one hand from staff weapon and draws out his camera, wanting to photograph these strange creatures. A mixture of fascination and intelligence gathering motivates his actions.

"Holy freakin' Toledo!" Jason swears under his breath when he sees these 'Jaffa' in a different light. His brief glimpse of the one just looked like a Jaffa, sort of confirmed by the staff weapon it carried. What he'd taken to be just a funky Jaffa helmet/headdress turned out to be the actual HEAD!

Putting his head down and burying his head under his jacket to muffle the sound, he clicked the radio to report to the Major.

"Major, we got a major freak goin' on here! The Jaffa... aren't exactly Jaffa. They're... um, kinda like... uh, lizard-men!"

He couldn't believe what he was actually saying. But, then, he couldn't believe what he was SEEING!

"Honest, Major! I'm not smokin' anything, though now I wish I was! They're some sort of humanoid reptile... don't know if they are snakes, lizards, gators or what, but look kind of like a bit of all three."

"They're wearing a harness with what looks like a System Lord emblem in the middle, and they got staff weapons. No armor that I can see."

Fox replies "forward information to commander Jason "

In reply to Travis Fox (msg # 29):

Jackie's voice comes over the radio.
"Describe the Symbol."

It takes a few seconds before one of the closer creatures turns in such a way that the emblem can be seen in full--it's a tear drop with an upswept wing on each side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Fri 27 June 2014.

"It looks like a teardrop with upswept wings," Jason whispers over the radio.

He wasn't concerned about the lizard guys overhearing an incoming radio message because he was using the earbud, but every time he replied he was afraid the enemy would hear his whisper... although, now that he looked, they didn't seem to have any ears... just holes where ears should be.

As tough and nasty as Jaffa were, these guys looked far worse. Although they weren't wearing any armor, he had a sneaking suspicious of why they weren't.

Fox watches and observes the creatures, unless they start hostile moves he will keep the team watching and in cover. Softly over the radio he says "Hold fire until ordered then use infa red dot sight aim for the eyes"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Sun 29 June 2014.

Ru'tan calmly puts his camera away and returns both hands to his staff weapon. He moves slowly and smoothly to as not to attract attention. Pressing his lips together, he glances out the side of his eye to where Fox is hiding, wondering what his human companions are thinking.

 From his position he can see Fox watching the creatures aimed at one of the creatures
GM Fox is targeting the Creature that appears to be the leader

For some reason, these lizard creatures are starting to make more noise. It's not much, but it's a change in the stealthy approach they were taking. It only takes a minute or two before the reason reveals itself--cages! They are bringing a dozen cages forward. It's clearly slow going, though, but only because they are still trying to limit the amount of noise they are making.


It's hard for Travis to pick out anyone that's a leader because, frankly, they all look alike. That's only due to lack of experience. He knows that not all lizards look the same, because nature doesn't stamp out creatures in rubber mold.

If these were Jaffa, he could pick out the prime by the symbol on his forehead, but clearly these creatures don't use that practice. Finally, though, he thinks he's spotted the leader. He's got some sort of gold armband on one arm, and, after careful scrutinization, he seems to be the only one carrying a zat.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 36):

Target and aim wait for the order to fire

"These guys give me the creeps. Compared to these guys, Jaffa are a bunch of nice guys. Present company excepted, of course," Jason whispered over the radio. He was pretty sure the noise that these... Varana... were making would easily mask his own words, muffled as they were under his jacket.

He threw that last in, just in case. He wasn't sure if Ru'tan would appreciate being called 'nice'. After all, he was still a warrior.

"Look, I know we can't start shooting first. Those cages might be for some perfectly harmless reason, like maybe they're here to buy sheep from the Cromar or something. But they give me the creeps," he repeated just to make sure everyone knew the Varana gave him the creeps.

"This is probably a bad idea, but if Ru'tan were to step out and introduce himself, maybe he could, like, make friends with them or something? Anyway, if they just start shooting at him, then that'd give us a reason to shoot back, right?"

"If Ru'tan doesn't want to do it, then I will. I just thought they might recognize a Jaffa... assuming they don't hate Jaffa. How about it Travis? Ru'tan?"

In reply to Jason Bjorn (msg # 38):

Fox over radio "Negative"
"Hold cover hold position, wait for commanders orders"
Over radio to Tl.
"Sir this is getting ready to go active up here."
"Orders"

Ru'tan quietly says over his radio, "I have seen no domesticated animals of any sort since we arrived. I can think of but one use for those cages. It seems that this planet is not as peaceful as we thought."

These lizard-men seem to be waiting on something, and you soon realize it is for the waterfall to stop, which it mostly has. There's still a trickle coming down, but that's all.


One of the otter-folk comes up out of the water in the run-off stream, which is behind where the SG-X2 team is hiding and is out of sight of the Varana.

He is carrying a red blanket. He quickly spreads it on the ground and points to the extra weapons the team is carrying, then to the blanket, and then up to cliff.

Ru'tan points to his eye while looking at this otter-creature, then points in the direction of the lizard people.

The otter-folk seems to nod in agreement to Ru'tan, but then repeats his motions.

Fox looks in the direction that Ru'tan is pointing

Ru'tan looks at Fox, then at the otter creature with a shrug.

"Haven't you been listening on the radio?" Jason whispers. "The major wants his weapons."

Keeping low and hopefully out of sight of these new creatures, Jason puts the extra weapons he was carrying on the blanket, then hurries back to the spot where he'd been hiding.

Fox, "Well done  Jason" (OOC Missed the message)

While he waits for the others to add their extra weapons into the pile, he decides to add half of his explosives. Clearly somehing had blocked the flow of water, stopping the waterfall. Maybe some boom-boom could loosen it up again.

In reply to Jason Bjorn (msg # 48):

Jackie grabs her weapons and holds on to them.

 Fox sends the creatures off back down with the teams weapons

Ru'tan, mollified that he was so out of the loop and unable to properly and ably respond as a soldier, looks over at the lizard-men, hoping that they have not noticed all the movement and disturbance this maneuvering of weapons has caused.

Fox looks around "Rut'an how long before they act would you say"? he asks softly over the radio.

Ru'tan quietly responds over the radio, "I am unsure. I suggest preparing yourself now as I do not believe they are here to rest in the field."

 Fox
"I am ready, take the leader down first followed by any one who gives orders"

Either these new Varana don't know the terrain well, or else they don't care. None of them have deployed off to the side where the pool of water runs off into a stream. It was that way that the otter-folk came to get the weapons, and disappears back into the water the same way.

It's also probable that the Varana aren't aware of the otter-folks' penchant and talent underwater.


As if on cue, ropes suddenly drop down from the top of the cliff and more Varana star climbing/sliding down the ropes. The Varana here by the pool rush forward, firing their staff weapons up at the cliff--a distraction from the climbers. They fire as they approach the pool and then dive in.

 Fox
Over the radio "take them down team time to thin them out". Aims for the leader and fires

Travis has been aiming at the Varana he took to be the leader, but his short burst misses.

05:21, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Travis Fox, rolled 10 using 1d20+2 ((8)) to hit.


Ru'tan has better luck, managing to hit the lizardman he was aiming at.

05:23, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Ru'tan, rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)) to hit.

05:37, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Ru'tan, rolled 4 using 1d10+3 ((1)) to damage.


Jason also opens fire on the lizardmen, but his aim is even worse than Travis's.

05:24, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Jason Bjorn, rolled 8 using 1d20+3 ((5)) to hit.

<quote StarMaster>
Travis has been aiming at the Varana he took to be the leader, but his short burst misses.

05:21, Sat 19 July 2014: StarMaster, on behalf of Travis Fox, rolled 10 using 1d20+2 ((8)) to hit.

Fox corrects his aim and fires again

Ru'tan leaps out from his cover and runs a few short steps towards the enemy before taking a stand and firing his staff weapon again.

Once Travis opened fire on the Varana, Jason started shooting at his own targets. Although it would be rather obvious where the fire was coming from, these Varana may not have ever encountered Tau'ri weapons... or even an equivalent, so a bit of confusion might ensue.

He saw that Travis was targeting the leader, and then Ru'tan charged out into plain sight. Jason understood why he did that, but it meant he was going to be the target of all the Varana.

In order to draw off some of that fire, Jason moved off to the right while he fired, attempting to circle around to the Varana's flank.

Travis's second effort hit the leader. It staggered him for a moment, but he did not go down.


Jason's effort at least partially worked, as those Varana on the right flank turned their attention to him. However, it also brought the attention of the Varana further back--the ones carrying the cages. They were somewhat distracted by the fire coming from multiple directions. Clearly, none of them yet understand what was happening.


If these Varana-Jaffa ran true to form, none of them would be particularly capable of thinking for themselves. That was what the Prime was for. Because these were some sort of lizard-man, rather than human, it was hard to say what their reaction would be. Jaffa were condition to keep attacking until victory was achieved. The reality, though, was that unless they were an elite unit, they'd probably panic and retreat when enough of them went down.

That was Ru'tan's thinking. He was pretty sure this was not an elite unit... mainly because they were carrying cages. However, there were still too many unknowns to say that for certain.

He might not consider himself an elite warrior--yet, but he still tended to resort to standard Jaffa practice... just stand up and shoot!

He was able to hit two of them, and was satisfied to see them fall to the ground. These lizard warriors might have tougher skin, but it still didn't stand up to a staff weapon.


By the confusion among the Varana, it was soon clear that they did not know how to deal with unexpected resistance, probably in a form that they'd never encountered before, and certainly not what they'd been told would be the opposition--otter-folk with sticks and stones.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 61):

Split left Put Single shots into heads aimed using the Weapon sights.
It might not kill them but it sure as hell will make them wonder what is going on. Leader types are first points of take down

When Ru'tan was confident that they had displayed sufficient strength to intimidate these lizard-beings, he planted the butt of his staff weapon on the ground and bellowed out, "Yield!"

Doing so was a huge gamble. Being unfamiliar with these creatures, he didn't know exactly how they'd react, but he hoped that they had at least some sense of self-preservation telling them that they were beaten.

Ru'tan's bold move is still accompanied by Travis and Jason firing at the Varana. For the most part, the Varana aren't sure where the attacks are coming from, though they can usually figure out a directionality. But, as Travis and Jason are hidden, no obvious source of the attacks is visible.

The Varana closest to Ru'tan point their staff weapons at him... but when one of them falls down, the rest suddenly turn and run! It is only the slight sound behind him that causes Ru'tan to turn... and see around a hundred of the otter-folk poised on the edge of the pond, weapons threatening.

The fleeing Varana abandon the cages that some of them were carrying.

A big splash from the pond draws everyone's attention, and Varana are falling out of the upper cave mouth... assisted by more otter-folk. It is uncertain whether these Varana are dead or not, but the otter-folk on the shore quickly dive into the water and dispatch any that are still alive, and then they drag the bodies out of the pond.

T'tirik'ti points at a dead Varana, then points to his mouth, and shakes his head vigorously, then makes a kind of choking sound and gesture.

He and several others now go over and examine the cages.

 Fox to team.
"Commander wants one of the attackers alive and prisoner."
Ru'tan can we make this happen do you think?"

Ru'tan nods and turns to examine the field, looking for any of the lizards on the ground who might be still alive. "I'm sure that can be arranged."

He drops his staff weapon, taking position to start running after the fleeing lizards in case the ones on the ground are past the point of useful.

'
Travis moves to cover Ru'tan and the area aiming also to recover any dropped staff weapons and other weapons as he does so

Ru'tan attempts to catch one of the live lizard-men. "We have some questions for you. Come without struggle and you may leave in better condition that I found you."

None of the Varana on the ground are still alive. The amount of damage it takes to bring one of them down is almost always sufficient to kill them.

While endurance for them is high, mobility isn't, so Ru'tan can chase one of them down. However, it will not surrender--it will fight to the death. However, Ru'tan can eventually knock one of them out.

Once they have ben chased off tidy and police the battle area, I want weapons of any sort, and other equipment carried

Other than the chest harness with the symbol on it, the only equipment they had were their staff weapons and the cages. While it might not have occurred to Travis to stuff the cages, presumably the Varana weren't concerned with over-crowding, so each of the 8 cages could have held 10-12 otter-folk.

Travis is able to recover 6 staff weapons.

Travis uses radio.
"Commander top of area is secure."
"One prisoner obtained by Ru'tan. Instructions?

"Copy, Throw it in one of the cages." Dillon replied over the radio.  "And dial home and report in, we've got an enemy mother ship here, we're gonna need more firepower.  Ideally I'd like a laser designator and a cruise missile strike through the gate."

Acknowledged, Fox collects up 5 of the staff weapons, keeping hold of one for him self for now and places the rest on the search Vehicle, then dials home.
Using the gate and his call home beacon.
Once he has contact he makes his report as instructed adding that a peaceful race is under attack

Hearing his instructions over the radio, Ru'tan muscles his prisoner into one of the cages. He clicks the latch shut and lock it as best he can. After that, he returns to pick up his staff weapon, looking up to the sky to see if there is any sign of attacking gliders.

"If there is a Ha'tak in orbit, we are clearly outmatched. Perhaps we should call in reinforcements as well as a missile." Ru'tan clearly does not trust this single Tau'ri weapon to suffice in dealing with the ship.

 Fox, "already done Ru'tan report sent extra men asked for"

Moving over to Fox, Ru'tan asks, "Can a missile really destroy such a vessel? "

Fox considers
"Depends on what they load it with Ru'tan."
"Also depends on if we catch it with its shields down"
"Simple answer I do not know"

Ru'tan looks over the area around them, casually searching for anymore threats, though he's sure there are none. "Shall we regroup with the others, then?"

In reply to Ru'tan (msg # 79):

Fox "Wait while we get an answer from earth I think".


OOC GM any answer to Fox's message through the gate

"Actually," Jason chimes in, "a nuclear missile won't take out a Ha'tak ship... unless we somehow get it inside. I got the impression the Ha'tak was on the ground, not in space."

"I don't think we have enough data for Hammond to call in that much firepower. It could start an all-out war."

"Thank you, SG-X2, for your report. We'll take it under advisement," General Hammond replies to Travis's report. "However, there is no way we can send enough firepower through the gate to take out a Ha'tak mothership. If one of them is involved, it's time to withdraw."

"I understand that the otter-folk are in danger. If it is possible, take them to an alternate site. Bringing them back here is not advisable."

 Fox.
"Understood sir, Will report your orders to TL"
"and advise."
"FOX out"
Travis Calls up the TL and advises him of General Hammons orders

Jason has had plenty of time to consider the recent events, and he's been listening to Carter's open mike. It was all kind of odd, in a way, but he had to remind himself that the Goa'uld behind this... and, for that matter, the Varana... didn't think like humans.

"This was a raiding party," Jason says to Travis and Ru'tan. "It's not a war or an outright assault. Their intent was to capture all... or as many as they could... of the otter-folk."

"Were they intending to enslave the otter-folk? Or was this a gathering of food-stock?"

"I think we should destroy the cages. If these lizards come back and find the cages destroyed, there will no longer be a way for them to gather up the otter-folk. That means their mission can no longer be completed. That should cause them to terminate the mission."

"They didn't come through the gate, either. So that probably means they came via the Al'kesh. They had to march around the cliff and come down here... carrying the cages."

Fox looks around and then answers.
Awaiting TL orders on that Jason, as on what he wants doing"
2If nothing else we will put them over the edge and into water once we have restored it"

Dillon listened to Fox's report, then radioed back "Copy Fox.  Advise the General that our first identification was mistaken, the ship appears to be an Al'kesh.  Advise that we may be able to capture the vessel, and let me know what the General says."

Fox listens Aye sir. Dials home again and makes the report and ID'd the type of ship now the Commander has seen it.
Adding the question as to if the general wants the ship captured or destroyed

"Received and understood, Sergeant," Hammond replies. "You're in the field, while I'm back here at Stargate Command. You have a better perspective on the situation than I could ever have. You wouldn't have been assigned to an SG team if we didn't feel you could think for yourself in these kinds of situations."

"Neither of those options are really on the table. We're essentially a disinterested third party here. Yes, we take exception to the killing, harming, kidnapping or enslavement of the otter-folk, who we now consider to be friends, potentially allies. If you can convey that to the Goa'uld in charge, he may see that it isn't to his advantage to continue pursuing that course of action."

"Yes, we are at war with the Goa'uld... but only with those in this sector of the galaxy. From your report, these Goa'uld in the cluster are a different sort, with little or no connection to other Goa'uld. We don't yet know what kind of resources they could bring to bear, or how extensive their influence is out there."

"Attacking their ship could be construed as an act of war, so I don't think that is a viable course of action. And, son, what would you do if you captured it? Can any of you fly it? I don't think you realize how far away from Earth you are. So, even if you could fly it, it would take a very, very long time to ever get it back here."

"My advice is to let well enough alone. Do what you have to to protect the Otter-folk, but don't stir up any more trouble than necessary. And continue gathering intel."

"My final advice is: use your own judgment."

"My final advice is: use your own judgment."</royalred>
</quote>

Fox relays the message from the general to his TL.
"Sir that's the instructions your orders please"

"Alright, shut down the gate and secure the prisoner you took, then move up to our position.  We're going to have to try to contact the opposition and convince them to leave peacefully."  Dillon replied to Fox.

 Fox answers "Sir"
"Ru'tan stick the prisoner in one of the cages for now and secure with some rope or what ever else we have". "Then grab some of the blast lances and lets take them to the commander they may come in use".
Once done Fox leads his group to the commanders position.
" Here you go sir a present for some of you"
Fox hands over a blast lance

Getting to your team leader is going to be harder than you think. You have three options:

1. dive into the pool and find the underwater entrance to the cliff dwelling, and then negotiate up through the stairs and hallways to reach the top of the cliff;

2. try to scale the cliff face;

3. march around the cliff until you find an easier way up. You'd estimated that the Varana had done that to get down here, but you have no idea how far you may have to walk until you find such a place. You also have the rest of the Varana potentially lurking out there, probably in ambush mode.

Ru'tan secures the prisoner in the cage as best he can. Thinking the cages surely come with their own locking mechanism, he uses that, if he can find it. Then, he gathers up as many of the weapons as he can, bringing them back to Fox. "Should we not go the way our companions went? I believe that would be the quickest way to reach the others."

 Fox uses his radio again.
" Commander joining you means, a swim through the complex.
"Or we climb the cliffs and march over land".
"Either way will take time"
Fox out

Ru'tan looks at Fox for a second or two, then steps closer, his look more intense. "I am eager to join the rest of the team. Which way will it be, Master Sergeant?"

Fox considers the cliffs
 "With equipment how hard will it be to climb to the Top Ru'tan"

Ru'tan examines the cliff in front of them, trying to determine if there is a path that will take them to the top and over the cliff.

22:41, Today: Ru'tan rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Survival to find way up cliff.

There's no actual path, but he can pick out a route that appears to have the easiest climb.

If you'd rather try the underwater route, it's possible one of the otter-folk could guide you.

Ru'tan points to the cliff, showing Fox where they should start their climb. "I believe that spot, up that ridge and then across that level spot to that chimney will provide the fastest ascent."

Fox looks at it and agrees
"Then lets make it so there is a fight brewing up there that calls for our attention"

"And just what are we going to do about our... guest?" Jason wanted to know. "I hope you aren't expecting us to haul that cage up to the top of the cliff?"

He headed over to the cliff area indicated by Ru'tan, having picked out the same route as the Jaffa.

"I believe I'm the better climber, so I'll take point. Are you two up for free-climbing, or do you want to use safety lines?"

He knew it would take a bit longer using safety lines, but despite getting info over his open radio, he wasn't sure just how much urgency Travis was willing to push. The route up the cliff looked like only a moderately challenging free climb, but he could see how the Varana would find it hard.

"And just what are we going to do about our... guest?" Jason wanted to know. "I hope you aren't expecting us to haul that cage up to the top of the cliff?"

  Fox shakes his head
"Nope it can stay here we will be coming back"

He headed over to the cliff area indicated by Ru'tan, having picked out the same route as the Jaffa.

"I believe I'm the better climber, so I'll take point. Are you two up for free-climbing, or do you want to use safety lines?"

He knew it would take a bit longer using safety lines, but despite getting info over his open radio, he wasn't sure just how much urgency Travis was willing to push. The route up the cliff looked like only a moderately challenging free climb, but he could see how the Varana would find it hard.
</quote>

"I can free climb it might be wise to haul our packs up separately though"

Ru'tan nods. "I am not the strongest climber, but I can manage." He begins to shrug out of his gear, bundling it up to be pulled up after him.

Jason couldn't understand why Travis thought the prisoner would still be there when they came back, but his was not to wonder why.

He started climbing, making sure Ru'tan saw the same places for his hands and feet that Jason did.

As usual, it looked a lot harder than it actually was. The height was always intimidating from below... and scary from above, but kind of mundane in between.

He still had a rope tied around his waist, but it wasn't a safety line. It trailed behind him, attached to his pack.

GM: any trouble getting to the top?

Although there might be a few creatures more adept at climbing that humans, humans compensate for a lack of claws or suckers or agility with intelligence. The route up the cliff face isn't as hard as it appeared. That's not to say that it's easy, but free climbers have negotiated far more difficult areas.

It's clear, though, that the Varana would have difficulty climbing up or down the rock, certainly not without extensive training. Claws would be helpful at times, but would get in the way at other times. Also, their tails, mass and center of gravity would have worked against them.

It only takes about 15 minutes to reach the top, using a route that was just to the left of where the waterfall used to be.

Based on Joshua's directions, it should take another 15 minutes to catch up with the others, if you hustle.

In reply to Jason Bjorn (msg # 104):

Combat hustle then

Ru'tan follows Fox, keeping a wary eye out for any unexpected trouble.