~~A few hours into HYPERSPACE~~

[I]Ariadne walked slowly through the corridors of the ship, taking in the details, what few there were, of the walls. She’d been summoned by the ‘IOA representative.’ Even the Tok’ra knew of the IOA and their interference with the Tau’ri’s Stargate program, knowledge Ariadne had gained by talking to other Tok’ra who had had dealings with them. Ariadne was not looking forward to meeting whoever spoke for them on the Tempest, and so, she was taking her time getting there. Unfortunately, ‘admiring the ship’ was an excuse that could only be taken so far.

A minute later saw her finally arrive at the door. She’d half expected it to be made of some kind of Tau’ri finery, as if to lord the position of the man over everyone else, but it was, alas merely a standard bulkhead. She raised her hand and knocked three times.[/I]

As there was a chap on the door McClellan pressed a button on the underside of his desk to open the door. He stood up, to show the lady some respect as she entered. “Please, take a seat. I would have named you though after previous dealings I am still unsure what name to use when you do not know who is talking.” He moved over to a cabinet at the side of a room. “Would you like a drink?”

[I]Ariadne was not expecting this. At this point she was almost expecting the not expected to happen, however, as almost none of the Tau’ri she’d encountered today had been what she ‘expected.’ At least one thing was how she thought it would be. His Office was filled with wooden furniture and decorative objects, one of which made an annoying ticking sound. The man within seemed to be polite too, which was a pleasant surprise. She took the seat closest to her, which was remarkably comfortable, and looked up at him. She flashed her eyes, just to show who was in charge of the body. “I would like a drink thank you. You need not worry over which name you call me. Either one is acceptable. Perhaps though, if you wish to speak to one of us in particular, open the conversation with her name.”[/I]

McClellan wasn’t exactly sure WHAT she would drink, however he didn’t exactly have tea or cans of soda on his shelf, he had even caught a lower echelon crew member trying to steal from his store who he had been told had then spent time in the brig after being caught by the XO. He poured her a small amount of whiskey into a glass, and one for himself before moving back to the table and placing the glass before her and taking a sip from his own glass before sitting down. “To be honest, I am happy to speak to either of you. Its my job as assignee from the IOA and head of human resources to make sure everyone is coping with life on the ship. So how do you feel you, both of you are fitting in? I heard that you didn’t feel as if you received a very warm welcome.”

[I]Ariadne took the proffered drink, sipping it while the IOA man spoke, savouring the unfamiliar taste. It had no effect on her, as she immediately neutralised the alcohol as it entered Idalia’s blood. Her face curled in distaste as the memory of her greeting was brought up. The Tau’ri man might assume she didn’t like the drink from the reaction, but she didn’t care. “I understand security being high around a Chappa’ai, Dr. McClellan. It is the way of the Tok’ra as well. But I was treated as a hostile when I stepped through. I was under the impression that the device your people gave me to signal the opening of the Iris also identified me as a friend. Is this not so?” She kept her tone level through it. The Captain had asked that there be no incidents, and getting angry wouldn’t help keeping that a reality.[/I]

He smiled. “The GDO does indeed alert people on the other side of the gate that you are friendly. However the reason for the security teams on this side is to assure that you are friendly. There have been several incidents on Earth where a GDO was stolen and the code was tortured out the person it was stolen from. While some would give false codes there were those who succumb to torture. However I cannot speak to how you were treated by whomever was on duty at the time-” At this time he was writing in a file, however as he finished talking he gave the Tok’ra his full attention. “I also hear this is Idalias first time on a space faring vessel, especially one to launch through a Loch. How are you finding it so far Idalia?”

[I]Ariadne was not satisfied with his answer, but she’d not expected to be either. She didn’t bother challenging him, especially when he moved the subject on with obviously practiced speed. “I admit its my first time launching from a… ‘Lock’ as well.” With that, she lowered her head and shut her eyes for a moment, allowing Idalia control once more.[/I]

Idalia raised her head then, her mind still abuzz with the excitement of being in space. She’d spent an hour in her quarters just sitting and watching the strange blue realm of Hyperspace already, and it was likely she’d spend more. “Its quite amazing!” She exclaimed before getting a hold of herself, evening out her voice. “I mean, I’ve never seen anything else like it. And to think it was only a few years ago that I thought I’d never see beyond the borders of my land… I’m sure I would have travelled with the Tok’ra in space eventually, but it really is an honour to be here for the launching of this ship. it was quite spectacular.” She felt the voice of Ariadne in her mind telling her to stop telling him so much about them. She quickly apologised to her symbiote, she wasn’t used to keeping secrets.

McClellan smiled, not at getting secrets out of her but how excitable she was. While people had been excited about the ship he had not seen such a reaction so far. “I’ll be sure to get a copy of the video we took of the launch from outside the vessel sent to your quarters for your appreciation.” He took another sip of his drink. “Well its as much a honour to have you both here as well, there hasn’t been a Tok’ra on one of our vessels for a prolonged period amount of time, and this being the first British vessel makes it a double whammy.” It was interesting the suggestion that they hadn’t been a pairing for long. “So, do you have any questions about the vessel? Especially if it is the first you have been on.”

Idalia was unsure what to say to the man, especially with Ariadne keeping such a close eye on what was said. She hadn’t a clue what to ask about the vessel, it was merely years ago that she’d thought ships like this were magical chariots of the gods. Instead, she picked up the glass of whiskey and downed the rest of it in one go, and handed control back to Ariadne.
[I]Ariadne felt her hosts body immediately suffer the effects of the alcohol as she didn’t neutralize them quickly enough. Idalia’s mind might also have suffered some effect, but Ariadne remained safe from such things. working on the side to restore order back to her body, she flashed her eyes to signify the control switch and spoke again. “You must forgive Idalia, she is excitable at times. I do, however, have questions about this vessel. I know of the recent… final… actions of the Asgard. I understand you now incorporate much of their technology into your own vessels. How does this ship compare to a Bilskerner class vessel?”[/I]

McClellan was anticipating this question at least from Ariadne. “Even with the Asgard cores, there is still a lot we cannot replicate. The Asgard could cross from the Milkyway to the Ida Galaxy in mere moments, we do have the information on that but no way to construct it. Not to mention we’re trying to build at a pace that is sustainable. This ship personally doesn’t have the weapon capability of our other vessels as you have likely been informed however she does have modules to easily install plasma beam weapons which are more powerful than what the Bilskerner used. Our shields are on par for the size difference, and as of yet do not incorporate the smaller weapon systems. So we have a ways to go until we have a ship of the exact calibre of the Asgard though that is to be expected. I presume you, Ariadne have experience with Goa’uld vessels to some degree?” He had noted how they had changed, and how Idalia had downed the drink available. A clear indication to how nervous she had gotten rather quickly, obviously she had disclosed something Ariadne didn’t want her too… interesting...

[I]Ariadne could see how this worked. He wanted to know about her, and was providing fairly unimportant answers to make it look like a fair exchange. It most certainly wasn’t at this point, not after Idalia’s indiscretion. She could feel the shame from her host as their thoughts mingled. She projected an apology towards her host, explaining that she did not mean such a thing to be hurtful. Even as she thought this, she spoke to the IOA rep again. “I, of course, have all the genetic memory of my species. With that I can easily operate almost any Goa’uld technology, including flying anything from a Ha’tak to a Death Glider. But my insights are hardly useful to your species now. You know that Asgard technology far outstrips that of the Goa’uld.”[/I]

He took another sip of his drink. Taking into consideration that unlike most Tok’ra she referred herself to be the species of the Goa’uld. Most Tok’ra separated themselves as a separate species... “You underestimate your value. Many of our systems still use crystals such as those on Goa’uld vessels, not to mention the crew are as said inexperienced. I am sure if we ever do get into conflict your tactical experience will be valuable. However unless you have another question may I ask of one?”

[I]Ariadne was guarded at the suggestion, but she suspected this man wouldn’t be able to answer any technical questions of hers anyway. “You may.” Was all she said by way of reply.[/i]

He turned a file around on his desk, a historical file. “Would you, by chance be the Ariadne that was supposedly set to protect the Labyrinth? Of course things change in history and your… presence on Earth may of been distorted over time. Though I do remember one of our scientific teams, SG-7 being caught on a Goa’uld controlled world, which after some digging had previously been in control by another Goa’uld called Ariadne. So, your tactical expertise are even far more useful than if you were simply a Tok’ra my dear.”

[I]That, hit far too close to home. She kept her expression impassive and spoke slowly and clearly. She tried very hard to keep threat and insult from her voice. “Do you mean to imply, Dr. McClellan, that I am not Tok’ra?”[/I]

“No, no. Make no mistake I am not saying that you are currently an evil megalomaniac being bent on subjugating me and everyone else on this ship or infact a galaxy or two. I know that no Tok’ra would take on the name of a Goa’uld, and no Tok’ra spy has ever taken the name of a God from Earth. Not to mention if you were still Goa’uld you wouldn’t have a newer host and could still be using the same one you used, thousands of years ago. No, I am simply saying your past is one that you may not want to reveal openly aboard this ship. That is all.” He took another sip from his drink, the use of his name in that sentence was a pointer that he was hitting home, for there was no need for it usually in conversation in a question it would be skipped out. There was hostility on her mind, to some degree or other.

[I]This man was smarter than he appeared. To leave now would be as good as an admission of his being correct, but she could see no way to completely dissuade him at this time. “I have never been to Earth until now. My presence in your mythology must, therefore, be attributed to the slander of the System Lords. They would stop at nothing to find an excuse to slay a Tok’ra.” She was not entirely lying now. She hadn’t been to earth. She had kept a world with a name that meant Labyrinth in the Goa’uld tongue, but she had no idea how her name had ended up on earth, she simply wasn’t that old.[/i]

“You do not need to have been to Earth, many of the names however were taken from Earth and then similarities arose. Mainly due to the likes of Ra, Egeria was not a god in ancient Mythos. So I doubt a simple Tok’ra would of taken on the name and mantle of a God. Tok’ra undercover also used their own names, as typically the ones that acted as Lords had not been discovered before and their names were a secret to the Goa’uld. Besides, ironically the world in which used to belong to you means Labyrinth in Goa’uld.” He had to resist smirking, he had her now however she was strong willed and would continue to try and avoid the truth.
~Fade to black. We’re not going to tell you what happened…~