Galileo's Burden, Phase Alpha: Bungle in the Jungle

[cityship]

((PLOT POST! READ IT!))

Stacy's voice rang out through the corridors of the ship, announcing that a message had been received and would be played on the Obs Deck momentarily.

The message was patched through a few minutes later, shown on a holographic screen. It was shot in very poor video, from a very old communicator frequency.



A woman wearing a blue veil over her face appears on the screen. She speaks in a soft and cultured voice, bowing deeply before she begins.

“Greetings to the crew and command of the Transmigration 9. My name is Reda, revered mother of the village of Avania III on the planet Orya."

Reda pauses, bowing once more before removing her veil and revealing the face of a beautiful humanoid woman.



"It… pains me to ask for the help of outsiders, when we have so little to offer in return, but I beg of you. Please aid us. My people are becoming sickened by an ailment we have never seen before. It seems to come differently for all who suffer from it... some have fevers, some strange dreams, some begin to speak madness while awake. But no matter how it develops, they grow weary. Their faith weakens and they die, disgraced and turned from the eyes of the great goddess Avani."

Reda folds her hands together, frowning worriedly. "I have heard of your ship's great deeds even in such a small and isolated planet as Orya. Though I am hardly worthy of asking, I know there is no one better to ask for a favor such as this. What I ask is for… those who have knowledge."

"My people know little of the universe outside their village. They do not know what you know in the ways of medicine. Our shamans are not equipped to deal with a threat of this magnitude. We seek those who can help us ease our suffering. We have little to give in return for your help, but what we have is faith… enlightenment and enrichment of the soul, which we will gladly share with those who come to visit us."

Reda smiled softly, shaking her head. "I will understand if you deny my request. I ask much of you and cannot give much myself, but should you assist us, I will do what I can to help you. I will see to it personally that those who come to our help are taken care of and shown the greatest hospitality. My own Chosen soldiers will protect them, and if they should help us in our time of need, I will do everything in my power to aid your efforts against the Ohm. You have my word as a devout child of Avani."

The revered mother bows once more, kneeling down before the camera. "I will be happy to speak with you if you require more information. Please... I beg of you, help my people."

Comments

It's beautiful to me

[zenithianhero.livejournal.com]

While Sofia did blink a few seconds from the question, she quickly realized he was possibly asking for her help in a turnaround way that didn't seem too insulting to her. Or so she assumed. Perhaps it was better to think of it as such than anything else.

Her mission was to guard all of them and that, by some extension, also meant their belongings. She eyed the half-closed duffle bag before returning her look at him. Somehow that bag reminded her of an old friend (http://i.neoseeker.com/ca/dragon_quest_iv_conceptart_L5VRB.jpg) who also had a tenancy to over-stuff his bags with items only to get the rest of them to carry it.

"I'm waiting for all of you to finish your preparations," she stated simply. There were a few seconds of silence before she then added, "do you need me to help with anything?"

[hi_there_aliens]

You know that saying, 'so quiet you could hear a pin drop'? Turns out it's true. It's the same sound as losing your dignity. The archaeologist couldn't tell if that silence was so pregnant because of his question, the fact that she'd answered and figured she was done or because she was waiting for him to go away. It wouldn't be the first time a military type (he was guessing that's what she was, call it a Jack sixth sense) dismissed him. Probably not the last, but he'd gotten over it.

Funny that it was still just as awkward now as it was the first time. Luckily for him, his job didn't necessarily require military-types liking him. The indigenous population, on the other hand...

Daniel visibly relaxed when she continued. So she got what he was asking, thank God. She also wasn't blowing him off. Although he was getting the feeling that she'd waited those few seconds longer on purpose.

"Yeah, actually, I could use your help with this," Daniel indicated the bag he was barely keeping from exploding with his knee.

[zenithianhero.livejournal.com]

Sofia was just the quiet and thoughtful type. Speaking wasn't something she did that often, admittedly except amongst very close friends.

"Do you wish me me to help carry it for you?" Her tone didn't appear to be mocking him. In fact, it had a neutral undertone that might remind Daniel of Teal'C's. "It shouldn't pose much of a problem to me." Again, it wasn't mocking or questioning his strength. She had already put the sword back into its sheath behind her and looked at him expectantly for his approval before doing anything.

[hi_there_aliens]

Huh? That wasn't exactly what he was getting at, no. Daniel knew he wasn't nearly as built as Teal'c, but that included most of the SGC too, Marines included. Daniel was pretty sure he could manage this one, very over-sized and overstuffed bag. He wasn't going to enjoy lugging it around, but Daniel was determined to pull his own weight. He didn't like it when Sam, Jack, or Teal'c tried to step in and take on his load: maybe he didn't have their training but Daniel really didn't think you needed to be military or a Jaffa just to carry your own weight in supplies around. He wasn't about to start bad habits now.

Besides, if something came up, they'd need those military-types to do their military-thing. Being able to duck and cover would be good.

Daniel motioned again to the bag, specifically the sides he was trying to pin in place with his knee. "I think I can handle that part: I just need help closing it. Could you hold these as close together while I zip it?"

And then silently hope he didn't break the zipper right in front of her.

[zenithianhero.livejournal.com]

If Sofia could hear your thoughts Daniel, she'd probably be very confused. The half-zenithian looked almost disappointed at his response and gazed at the bag again. This did make much more sense once she thought about. Although she began to wonder why the man simply didn't just find a larger bag. Possibly because it would simply cause him to want to add more things and need another larger bag, repeating the cycle endlessly.

"..." It still took a bit of skill to make Sofia at a loss of words, especially considering she talked to little. She had guessed incorrectly, but was still more than willing to help. "...very well." Both sides of the bag were grabbed and pushed moved together, allowing the scientist to move the zipper with more ease.

Hopefully nothing would tear from it.

[hi_there_aliens]

It's probably a very good thing she's not inside his head. Daniel wasn't sure what to make of her reaction to his answer, but she hadn't walked off yet or made a sarcastic remark, so he figured he was still on good grounds.

She agreed after a moment (a long, silent moment). The archaeologist stepped aside. She pulled it together, and carefully and slowly, Daniel struggled to get the zipper across. Once or twice it caught, but luckily for him, it didn't break off. After some very careful zipping and pulling, the bag closed. Close to bursting but closed. He wasn't looking forward to trying this again before they left the planet but he'd figure it out when they came to it.

Daniel got up, giving her a small smile. "Thank you. You're a life saver." Nothing would have been more embarrassing than getting stuck battling with the duffel bag and then getting left behind on Stacy while everyone else went ahead. "Sorry, Doctor Jackson, by the way." He held out a hand.

[zenithianhero.livejournal.com]

Mission accomplished. Now if only the rest of the ride for this trip could be as easy as zipping of a difficult bag. Sofia had a hunch that it wouldn't be.

"Doctor," she greeted, shaking the hand back with a firm grip. "My name is Sofia. I do not have a last name. It is interesting to see so many Doctors on this ship." While that last phrase sounded innocent enough, it was spoken with unfortunate ignorance. Sofia still had much to learn about modern life, and with so much information, the little details were easy to lose in the cracks. Living in a world where technology was barely present and clerics preformed the healing ceremonies (or in Sofia's case, could cast healing magic), the word Doctor had been new to her after being awoken. Therefore it seemed a logical conclusion as any that many carried this name, as strange as it was.