[color=ed1c24]"Listen to none of this nonsense, Doctor."[/color] Morrigan chuckled dryly. [color=ed1c24]"Only that about alcohol. There is a time and place for it, and that is not 'my cabin, every evening'. The captain has an uncanny instinct where to look, and the cleaning staff appreciates the additional degreaser. If the colonel here wants to drink, he will have to generate a victory worth toasting to."[/color] the XO deadpanned at the recon team leader.

[color=ed1c24]"The fighters need to be flight tested and brought up in either case, Hermiod. No reason why the Captain can not enjoy herself in the process. In either case, it is just a theory. Although I am baffled that an Asgard would fail to realize that organic beings are not free form emotion and illogical behavior. How [i]did[/i] you ever defeat us?"[/color] the XO snarked to the comms. [color=ed1c24]"Falnore, three to beam."[/color]

One white flash of interrupted existence later, the XO found herself stood upon the bridge, with the two men being beamed to their cabins so they could unpack. [color=ed1c24]"Falnore. Dr. Lawson. Status report, please."[/color] she said, moving to her station.

The bridge of the 307 was anything but similar to the 304. Where the [i]Daedalus[/i]-class ships had the bridge in the command tower on the aft, the 307 had a control room tucked safely on the inside of the ship, with enough monitors and holographic projectors to create a full sphere view of the outside if necessary. In the center was a slightly dipped space with a holo table where the Captain and herself commanded the other crew from.

Said table lit up with a checklist that reported most things in the green as the lead designer and chief engineer approached. [color=fdc68a]"She is ready to go. All that remains is for the captain to arrive with Viper squadron and you are ready to go. I'm going to miss it here."[/color] Dr. Lawson noted, unfortunately not allowed to join the expedition due to his worsening health.

[color=ed1c24]"You've done enough, Phil."[/color] Morrigan attempted to console him, [color=ed1c24]"She is beautiful and everything we asked for. I promise we will bring her back in one piece."[/color]

After that, the intercom came online. [color=39b54a]"Nyx, Viper-1. We are orbital and closing in. Don't leave without us."[/color]

Half an hour later, the crew was all on their posts, listening to the shipwide broadcast. [color=AAAAAA]"Nyx, this is Lorne. You are departing on what is a mission of an importance in the big league. The Abydos expedition. The Atlantis expedition. The Destiny expedition. You will be up there with them. The bar has been set high, but I have every confidence you can do it. You are on this mission, because you are the best at what you do. What you can fins in Ida can potentially catapult us to the same level as the Ancients technologically. We are all looking forward to you bringing us some cool souvenirs. Godspeed."[/color]

Taking a breath and straightening her uniform, Catherine looked upon the projection of the Earth one last time for what she assumed would be a long time. [color=39b54a]"Thank you, general. We will get this done. Homeworld command, ES Nyx requesting authorization for departure."[/color]

The voice of O'Neill came through: [color=7ea7d8]"Permission granted. Good hunting, captain."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Helm, take us out."[/color] she gave the order, switching the display to show the ship's movement.

The six engines at the back of the [i]Nyx[/i] roared to life, and the sleek frame broke free of the orbit and started accelerating to the departure point. [color=ed1c24]"Last chance to jump the bus."[/color] Morrigan grinned. "[color=39b54a]Not for the World."[/color] Black grinned back. The Earth slowly shrunk and vanished, the display shutting down and being replaced by the standard data feed.

"Captain, we have reached the departure point." the helm reported from under their VR helmet.

[color=39b54a]"Take us out."[/color]

A blue tear opened in the space past the moon, and the Nyx was swallowed by hyperspace.