Episode Zero: Orientation

[Azalea 'De' Andre]

0810
Mess Hall

Azalea just rolled the eyes, only half believing that. You would have to be stupid not to think that that idea hadn't crossed Billie's mind. Sure they have only been friends for a year since Billie joined, but a lot happened to bring these two as close as they were. With the training these cadets faced day in and out, you would be foolish to think you wouldn't grow close. Billie, along with Shannon, were the only ones that knew of the feelings that were hidden for Ken. Why else would the blond plan an event, the conveniently not show up. Obviously this war between the final cookie had to been huge, or there was more to the story than the fellow cadet was letting on. Mental note for this female to confront Billie about it later.

As the two headed back to Ken, Az couldn't help but think about what adventures that lay ahead for these three. They all were starting off the year anew. Ken and Billie in their third, Azalea in second; new cadets were filing in. It opened the door for a whole whirlwind of opportunities. One the cadet wasn't sure she was entirely ready for, but one would never know til faced with challenges. What was even more exciting, and yet chilling, this was the young woman's second to last year. This time next year, they would be preparing her for the next phase of life; life outside of the Academy. Everything that she had been working to achieve would arrive. Just thinking that caused fear to grip the heart. The Academy was the only other place this cadet had ever called home. The first was at the Thompson house hold; where she was a foster child and really felt like one of the family. It wasn't every day this feeling came about. In fact, it was completely rare. To think, next year would be the last time feeling like that, it scared the woman to the bone. Thankfully, she didn't have to cross that bridge til the end of this year. That only meant enjoy every moment til that final graduation.

Shaking the head from the bitter thoughts, De turned attention to other two. Hearing Billie's reply about nothing being wrong caused the feisty brunette to snort. "Uh huh," she just replied, leaning against the wall, crossing arms over the small frame of her body, eying down the blond. "I might be emotionally retarded at times Bills, but I know there is something more going on than a sprained ankle. For one, you are walking perfectly fine. If you had a hurt ankle, you would have done more of a reaction than just wince when I tackled you," she concluded. Sure the lieutenant wanted to prod her best friend into telling right now, but figured with Ken around, might not be best. Sure they all were close, but at times, there was more stuff girls could say around only girls. "I will get it out of you. You might be able to run, but you can't hide it." Az gave Billie the look the other cadet knew all too well. The look that said, I will figure it out.

Glancing back towards Ken, the female smiled slightly, fighting back the response of her own in mind. He looks pretty good to me, but than again, he always does, she thought, but shook the head quickly. "So you two ready for this year? Who do you think will command the teams this year since Adam and Shorty are gone?" she asked running a hand through the long brown hair, trying to carry the conversation. Pulling away from the two momentarily, the dark eyes moved around the hall, trying to spot anyone else of old back for another year. For a moment, her eyes caught a very familiar lock of light brown hair, but then brushed it off. There was just no way.

< Tag Billie, Ken, Isaac, anyone >

[Samuel Landers]

0810
Mess Hall

He walked in the place that had mess hall printed on the guide, or so he read it as. This place was just as big as the Naval Academy he got transferred from just few weeks ago. Pretty much oozed the same confusion about where the places and classes were here. Retracing his route on the paper and mentally, Samuel was contented that he was in the right place. Still he hoped he was; till he got used to the buildings and whatnot. Entering he was greeted by the noise, shouts and everything in between. First week of classes were always crazy. He was glad this was his final year before he moved on the real deal outside the building.

To describe the coming year only one word came to mind. Insanity. Unimaginable course work and field tasks. He was sure he was going to have screaming bones by the time graduation arrived. But all in all it was going to be worth the pain. Scanning the room he picked up on one Navy student among the trio. The other two seemed to Army and Air force. From the way they interacted they knew each other well. His eyes darted to few other groups who were catching up on things they had missed over the break from their other friends. Presences of another Navy student really did make him feel a little better and not like a fool to be the only one representing his branch of military from how many Naval Midshipman he saw so far.

Finishing of his scanning he went to the meal line and grabbed breakfast of toast and eggs along with a glass of orange juice. Picking a seat not far from the trio he let his mind drift. The idea of Stargate system on its own was surreal. Planets, moons with life and mirrors that transport one to another reality just didn’t seem to be real. But here he was within the program was the hidden from the world to highest level possible.

Shaking his thoughts away he paid attention to meal. Something will just have to wait.

<<Tag Cadets>>

[James "Parker" Hall]

0810
Mess Hall
Stargate Academy

“You know – I’m not some mole sent in to make sure you stay by the rules, right? I’m also not a vampires – nor werewolf. I won’t kill you in your sleep unless you piss me off, and I’m not planning on injuring you any time soon…so why so nervous, bub?"

Caught. Damn, she was good.

"Eh, I dunno. It's just a really big change of setting for me. It's slightly nerve wracking, ya know?" That's right, blame the nerves on the move. Good plan. Stick to it.

Her response to his question about her summer made his eyebrows raise. "Entertaining? What, no details? That's no fun." He hoped his smile showed that he was sincerely interested in her story. He was a listener. It's what he did best, really. Listen and do what you're told. That's pretty much what he lived by.

<Tag Seph>

Of course, she asked him about his summer. And his drawing. How could he forget that she had been there when he went into total geek mode over drawing a plane. Was he blushing? Dear god, he hoped not! "It wasn't very 'entertaining', as you would say. Mostly, just getting ready for this. Spending time with friends and family. The usual." He shrugged. Seemed like the thing to do, ya know? After all, he wasn't much of a talker.

They meandered through the lines of food and cadets, picking and choosing what seemed to be most edible. Some items were snatched up very quickly, the last few of some causing slight scuffles among the cadets. Intense. Parker grabbed what he wanted, and scanned the room while Seph got her food. Empty table...empty table...AH, there ya go!

"Right over here is clear...if that's okay?"

<Tag Seph, Cadets>

[[It's some crap, I know. It's also 2:30 am....so hush. haha.]]

[Isaac 'Mojo' Thompson]

0810
Mess Hall

It felt weird being back at the Academy after everything that had went on during the course of the summer. The young Naval Academy sophomore had spent most of the summer by his father's bedside after the retired Admiral had a heart attack and he had left a little earlier at the end of his freshman year when his brother had been injured over in Iraq. The Thompson family was slowly starting to return to normal though and things were finally getting back together. Isaac was back at the academy now and things were starting to look up. He was on the top of his class, he was well on his way to graduate and he wasn't doing too bad in the love department either. There was a young girl that he had met a few weeks earlier at a coffee shop and the two had hit it off rather well , now was just the waiting game.

After the young man had dropped his bags in his dorm room and put his things away he grabbed his backpack that had a few books in it along with his laptop before going down to the mess hall. There was a paper he still needed to write to finish getting caught up from last year and he was almost done with it, he'd figure he'd finish it over breakfast and then meet up with everyone else. He stood in line waiting to get his food and once he was there he grabbed a couple of pancakes, an egg and some toast along with a fork before moving to an empty table near the back of the cafeteria. His things were placed down on the table and he was soon joined by the young girl that he had met at the coffee shop: it turned out that she was a cadet in the Stargate Academy program: newly involved in it so it was nice to actually be close to someone that he could talk to about what he was really doing.

The conversation was light and easy between them as he worked on his paper and she gave him a few suggestions for it before she excused herself because she had to leave. Isaac gave her a small smile and watched her go before throwing away what was left on his tray and then returning to his books. He glanced up once when he felt someone's gaze on him but quickly shook it off, there was no one there. Well, there were people there but no one who was looking in his direction. It wasn't that the young man minded it anyway, he needed to focus, plus all the other cadets seemed quite wrapped up in their own conversations to pay him any attention at all.

< Tag Anyone >

[Billie Jean Witwer]

0810
Mess Hall


Hearing Az snort, Billie knew her friend was likely to figure out what was eating her. Gazing at Ken, Billie knew whining and pouting was out of question. Simmons was likely to agree with Andre over this. Turning her brows into a frown Witwer studied the brunette; there was no way Bills would get away from Az’s prodding. “My ankle healed a week ago.” She protested, “Has anyone told you that you tackle like a wrestler?” Okay so that was a lie. Billie knew she had winced because she had been caught out. Boxed into a corner and was going to be boxed more sooner or later. Ken and Az’s reactions weren’t going to change. Redding topic was a sore point with both. It would be best if she got it out sooner rather than later. She moved her mouth to tell, but decided against it, for now.

Billie rolled her eyes at the empty threat, “you’re going to have to do better than to give me that look.” Turning to Ken, “you help her you’re a dead man walking Simmons. Even its a tiny winy bit of help.” Ken was one of her best friends and a sweet one at that, but if helped in anyway, Billie would stop speaking to him. As much as she hated to admit, staying mad at Kenny was hard work. There would be no Brain without Pinky; her pinkie was with an I-E at the end. Plus of course some genius had decided to give both Ken and her the name of those cartoon lab rats from Animaniacs.

Listening to a question she was happy with direction Az had chosen, safe and sound level for her jump in without feeling like Az was her tail with a poking stick. The thought alone seemed odd. “I hear this year is going to be tough. More course work and different Drill Sergeants.” Shuddering, to make her point, “you think they will grind us to ground?” She asked Ken then faced Az, “I haven’t heard anything yet. New teams are yet to be formed.”

<<Tag Ken/Az/ All>>

[Kenith Simmons]

0810
Mess Hall

Taking a seat with Billie and Az, Kenith half listened at the two ladies did a quick job of catching up. It had been a few months since the end of their last academic year, and while they'd all tried to keep in touch one way or another, it was hard to go from living, eating and training with a group of people 24/7 to going back to the 'real world'. At the academy you got your meals and clothes provided, and your day was carefully structured so as to not waste a precious second. Going back to civilian life, if only for a couple of months, could be a challenge in itself.

Thankfully Kenith had spent most of the holidays undertaking US Army Ranger training, in order to give him a better understanding of the military and to get into better shape both as a soldier and a leader. The experience had changed him in ways he couldn't even begin to explain.

"I heard Sergeant Airhorn has been put on as a full-time staff member," Kenith said, his mind flashing back to the nasty NCO who had put them all through airborne school, an experience no one would forget any time soon. "And I've seen a lot of new staffers around, think I even caught a glance at the new superintendent. Guess we'll meet them all soon enough..."

< Tag Cadets! >

[Jocasta Darcy]

0810
Mess Hall

Jo moved with speed and grace up the hall. She had just moved her few possessions into he small room. It was cramped and ugly. She could feel the tears and tensions of past residents seeping from the walls. She would have to work to make this place home.

This was Jo's second attempt. She had left suddenly to care for father after he was struck by a drunk driver. She had stayed while their home was renovated to accommodate his new wheel chair. She would still be there if he had not thrown her out.

Jo smiled as she remembered the scene. Her father had been telling her to return when term started. But she refused to believe him. Then one day she came home to her case packed on the steps. Confused she had tried her key in the lock. The lock had been changed. It was then she noticed an envelope. Enclosed was a note and a one way ticket to the academy. The note was short containing only 3 words. Live your dream.

She entered the mess looking for familiar faces. Her heart beat faster as she spotted Simmons. But he was not alone. A tear slipped from her eye. Too late. Or was she?

<tag all>

[Azalea 'De' Andre]

0812
Mess Hall

Azalea just gave a small smirk to her two best friends. They were in for a whirl wind of a year. Each year got progressively harder. They trained you harder and harder as time passed, because each year signified drawing closer to one simple goal; graduation. This brunette had just come out of her second year in the Academy, third class by their ranking. It was a dozy. The question remained, warn them? Or let them experience it all for themselves. That she would have to think on more. Both of them were in completely different branches than she, and different majors. So their experience could be, most likely would be, different than her own. It was interesting how so many people were here; all different branches uniting together, and everyone could have a different out look on this program. That thought alone amazed the young woman.

Hearing the mention of Airhorne's name, Az let out a laugh. "Good old Airhorne. I wonder how those who haven't gotten their wings will deal with him. Is he teaching other classes?" she asked curiously. He was one of the toughest teachers here at the Academy. He didn't take any crap from anyone, but at the same time, that's what they needed. He pushed them because in the real world, they wouldn't get babied. Even if he was, loud and rude, it's because he saw the potential in people. "I have too. Makes me wonder what they all teach and how tough they are." Odds were they were going to be tougher this year. It seemed every year the training got harder and more intense. So many times the young woman wanted to just quit, but knew she worked too long and too hard to just give in now. She had to keep pressing through. What else did she have besides the military? Nothing. This was her life. If she lost it, well, that was a thought that she didn't want to think about.

Sliding into the seat next to Ken, De looked over at Billie sternly. The nagging feeling that something more untold was going kept nipping away. One that couldn't wait til later. Something was saying the blond needed these her two best friends more than she was letting on. "Okay Billie, I can't take it anymore, what the hell is going on?" she asked seriously, all joking and talk of the new year aside. "And if you say nothing, I will pin you down til you do talk. I know you, and know you well enough to see clear as day something happened. Now what is it? If you can't tell us, who you claim are your best friends, than who can you tell? Come on, talk to us. What's going on? And if we need muscle, we've got Ken on our side." She looked over at Ken giving him a sly wink, then looked back at Billie. Eyes baring down on the fellow cadet, saying tell me, please.

< Tag Pinkie and the Brain >

[Kenith Simmons]

0812
Mess Hall

"The fewer classes he teaches, the better," Kenith replied to Az's question about Sergeant Airhorn. That guy had been a total pain in the butt, and Kenith wasn't looking forward to training under him again. Word was also going around the study halls that the new commander of the Academy was a former career Navy pilot, and that he was planning to introduce flight training of the F-302 interceptors into their course work, the first time such a thing had been done.

As De began to grill Billie about what she was hiding, Kenith's eyes again began to wander, and he spotted a familiar blonde enter the mess hall. The last time he'd see Cadet Darcy was when she'd left France all of a sudden to be home with her injured father, with no word as to whether she'd ever be back or not. Kenith had been crushed, losing not only a friend and fellow cadet but a girl he was beginning to develop strong feelings for. Shortly after a chemical used by the French cadets had caused Ken and Az to develop deep feelings which they were still coming to terms with. In order words it was a complete mess.

Unsure what to do, Kenith waved Jo over, hoping to catch up with her. Just as he did a number of new staff members entered the room and made their way toward the stage, apparently preparing to introduce themselves the welcome the cadets to the new academic year.

< Tag Cadest & Staff! >

[Jocasta Darcy]

0812
Mess Hall

Jo's eyes met Kenneth's. She felt the momentary joy she felt crash.She read pain and confusion on his face. She remembered the peace she felt whenever he falshed his easy smile. She could almost feel the electricity of attraction he had set off in her . A feeling unhindered by drugs or alcohol.

Jo had written him before she fled Paris. She had left quickly not knowing if her father would be alive or not when she landed . She had found the letter in her pack two weeks later. She must have packed it in her haste to leave. She still could not understand why she had never got around to sending it.

As Jo watched the cadet sitting next to Kenneth placed a possessive hand on his arm. It was as if she could sense Jo's thoughts. Jo saw Kenneth gesture her to jointhe group. This terrified her. She just wanted to flee. It was with great relief she saw several official looking people head toward the stage. She used this as an excuse to remain where she was.

[Billie Jean Witwer]

0812
Mess Hall

When Kenny spoke up, Billie titled her head at him as he spoke of this Airhorn character but Az speaking the way she was about the person threw her off the rail. From the sound of it Sergeant Airhorn wasn’t a favorite among the group. It just made her wonder what kind of man the Sarge was. Just because the Sarge wasn’t in the ‘respected’ group with her peers didn’t make the NCO a bad person or did it? They both were going to throw her into the land of confusion regarding that man, “He really isn’t that bad is he?” she asked completely clueless. Or was she putting her foot in her mouth, then would later come to regret her choice of words.

Waiting for a reply to her question, Az’s grilling her left her speechless, she was going to say nothing, but the chances were on Andre carrying out the threat we high, she really was going to say nothing, but thought better of it. She didn’t want to talk about Redding and his dumb appearance, but it seemed her friend was going get it out of her, whether Billie liked it or not. Forking her food she shoved in her mouth as she watched De’s expression. With a sigh she let cutlery clatter on her plate before looking at Ken to see if he would bail her out, but of course she forgot the two were sweet on each other.

Great.

Joy.

Fun.

Matt had hurt her of that she had no doubt; taken her for a ride to make a fool out of her. Looking at Az then at Ken, “Matt came to Seattle,” she spoke softly, yet it almost seemed her whisper to her own ears, but she tried to keep her voice a little animated, “to make amends or something. I’m kinda surprised that he did, not after the way he stood me up.” She tried to make sound like not so much of a big deal, but in truth it was a big deal.

Falling head over heels for Matthew Redding had been idiotic. What was she thinking...oh that's right she wasn't/ hadn't been thinking clearly due to the chemical reaction from the shot during the Paris trip.

Noticing Ken waving for someone, Billie turned to see who it was, recognising Jo, Witwer smiled at the other cadet, and gave a short wave before turning to De, “I know I was warned, so you can’t say ‘I told you so’ line.”

<<Tag Cadets>>

[Azalea 'De' Andre]

0814
Mess Hall

It was funny how things were changing for this cadet. Three years ago, never in a million years would she ever think of being seated with two people that would be considered best friends, one with stronger feelings than just friendship. Three years ago, the person who Azalea Andre was, was not the woman that sat with them today. Years ago, just the thought of having friends would have made her laugh, but a lot changes in years time. The fact that this young woman was growing up and learning what it meant to trust others, needing to rely on them to get through the time here. Now here she was, with two of the closest people she had, wanting to help another that clearly needed it, even if that said cadet would never admit it.

Listening to what Billie was saying, Az's eyes grew wide. The female knew how much Matt meant to the blond. The brunette was never fond of that male cadet. Always annoying, and just plain too stuck up. When Billie started having feelings for him, the cadet knew she would have learn to put up with him. Learning that he stood her up, oh she wanted to kill him. It was the girl code. You always were there for your bestie no matter what. "He what?" she asked in wide eyed shock. The fact that he had the nerve to do that after standing Billie up like that, oh that made her blood boil. Sometimes guys had no minds what so ever. Though now was not the time to get all pissy. It was clear that Billie was suffering, in some way. "What happened Bills? Did he do something to you?" she asked gently. If it went well, why was the blond so upset? There had to be more to the story. Reaching over, she gave Billie's hand a squeeze that said, I am here.

Pulling it back, De's hand brushed against Ken's for a moment. A shock of energy seemed to course through her. Biting the bottom lip, the female cadet glanced over at Ken, trying to catch his reaction. They still hadn't really talked about what happened. Sure they might have hung out this summer, but never address said situation. They needed to desperately; just get it all out on the table. The truth was, Azalea knew how she felt. There was feelings for this male cadet. If there weren't, he wouldn't have this affect on her, even off that crazy drug. Quickly pulling the hand away, she crossed her arms over the small frame of her body, leaning back in the chair.

Seeing both Billie and Ken waved to someone, the female looked over to see another familiar face; though never got the opportunity to really know the cadet; Jocasta. Azalea gave a soft friendly smile to her, glad that she was back once again. The Academy was not a place that you wanted to pass up. Before it seemed anyone could make a move, noise started happening in the Mess Hall as staff started filing out to the stage. OK, something was going on, and she hoped it wasn't their first training session already.

< Tag anyone >

[Samuel Landers]

0814
Mess Hall


"He what?"

Sam jumped where he sat as the loudness from the brunette caught his attention making him frown. He wonder what he did or didn’t do that was having such effects on the female Cadet. Looking at Az’s face he travelled his gaze from hers to someone who was sitting across from her. Seeing the cadet – the blond one – visibly upset, he gathered that it might have something to do with the conversation. The male among the two seemed to be enjoying their company, Lucky man, Sam concluded and chuckled. Closing the magazine he was reading, Landers decided to make some introductions, doing some ‘getting to know’ the fellow students. Picking up his tray he moved towards the trio. The way three interacted reminded him of Huey, Duey and Louie. Each he reckoned came with their own personal colour.

Making eye contact with three of them one at a time, “Um..Hi,” he smiled hoping it was friendly enough, “I’m Samuel Landers. Most people call me Sam.You won’t mind if I join you?” It was best if he didn't give his rank just yet.

Hearing the commotion near the stage area, Sam turned and noticed the Staff on the stage, along with the Academy’s Commander, Admiral Richard Murdoch if he recalled the name correctly.

<<Tag Huey, Duey, Louie and other Cadets>>

[Kenith Simmons]

0815
Mess Hall

"He really isn't that bad is he?" Billie asked when Sergeant Airhorn was mentioned. Ken scoffed at the comment by relax, failing terribly to hide it. "He makes that Sarge from Full Metal Jacket look like a... well... makes him look good." Kenith mentally face palmed himself at his work jumble, knowing he really needed to relax more around his fellow cadets.

A senior looking cadet, one Kenith hadn't seen around before, approached their table and asked to sit down. "Take a seat sir," Kenith replied, paying his respects just in case. Teams had been shuffled around a lot this year, and it didn't pay to get off on the wrong foot with someone who might be leading him all year.

At the front of the room, Admiral Murdoch - the new superintendent of the academy - took the stage a moved to a microphone. "Attention on deck!" called a senior instructor, and all the cadets rose and snapped to attention. "Be seated," the Admiral said into the microphone. Once the cadets were back in their seats he began.

"On behalf of the staff and instructors at the Stargate Academy I'd like to formally welcome you all to this new academic year. I am Vice Admiral Murdoch, your new Superintendent. This year the academy will see a series of changes that will bring her..."

The Admiral, dressed in his immaculate white formal uniform, went on to speak about the new staff he'd selected, the new fighter pilot training they'd undergo, and the other changes that faced the new cadets. Kenith half zoned out, a habit he'd been hard pressed to shake even after a year at the academy. "You think they're really going to let us fly?" he muttered under his breath to the other cadets, careful to avoid to notice of the staff posted around the room.

< Tag Cadets & Staff >

[Billie Jean Witwer]

0815
Mess Hall

Billie cringed as Az went wide eyed, knowing that look all the newly ranked Midshipman Chief Petty Officer wanted to do was dig a hole and bury her face in it and never come out. But there was a world to face, new challenges to meet. Letting the cycle of life spin as it was meant to. Licking wounds over and crush on an arrogant Second Lieutenant of USAF didn’t seem petty, did it? Meeting Az’s eyes slowly, “He wanted me to listen to his half baked excuses I guess. Wanted to make amends, start fresh; just wanted one more chance. I don’t know if I could have given him one, or should give him one.” Placing her heart on the line when it came to Matt shouldn’t be up for option.

Holding Az’s hand for a brief moment, “Meeting him gave me a reminder of what kind of fool he made out of me. So I ran. Away from him. Blindly.” He had reminded her of her idiotic action for falling for him. Now that she looked back, she was naive and not ready for such task for falling in love, when she had hardly seen life outside studies. The single gold bar on his shoulder hadn’t done much to comfort her when it came to trusting him again.

She looked at Ken when he spoke about Airhorn, had gotten her in a small fits of giggle till a face she had seen once or twice before during her short stay at the Naval Academy come and join them. For the life of her; she couldn’t his rank from the last time she had seen him. But she was certain he was a senior. Titling her head she studied him with a slight frown on her brows, “Navy right?” she asked Sam.

She was going to speak more but someone from the stage area started to speak, standing along with her fellow cadets for the arrival for their new Superintendent. Taking seat, she listened. It was a comfort to know that there were more from the Navy this year.

As Ken’s question catch her ear, “I’m not going anywhere near those planes. Do you have any idea how dizzy one ends up after flying.” Barfing on the ground after a lesson didn’t seem appealing.

<<Tag Cadets and Staff>>