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.