Welcome to Gaia! ::

Andrea turned to listen to his words, eyebrow slowly raising above her right hue. She cracked a tiny amused smile, realizing her mistakes. She'd have to be careful around this one... he seemed to read her like a open book. Huh. Where was the fun in being mysterious when the guy could pick your mind apart slowly yet surely?
Pursing her lips she gave a curt nod, still smiling that soft smile in response to all he had said.
"Of course, Doctor. How absolutely silly of me." Giggling slightly she leaned back, hands on her hips as she kept her eyes on him. He was interesting... very interesting. Sighing slightly she slowly raised her hand, fingers waggling in a goodbye sort of gesture.

"Yes, goodbye... Doctor."

That was weird to say... she was used to people calling her Doctor, not the other way around. Sighing quietly she watched his back until he vanished from her site, amused expression lingering for awhile before slowly melting away.
Were there any women on this damned... thing? Hopefully. More than likely... if she recalled correctly there were at least two other females in the area... She wouldn't be too alone. Scoffing slightly she turned on her heels and began strolling off at a leisurely pace...
Until someone called her name.

"Um... Dr. Lark, right...?"

Turning smoothly on the backs of her feet she came face to face with Mr. Williams, the towel man from earlier. Blinking in surprise she nodded before offering a infectious, happy smile, taking his outstretched hand and giving it a good firm shake.
Ah, firm handshakes were always a good thing... or at least that's what her father had told her. Pulling her hand free from his slightly larger digits she kept that smooth smile on, lips parted evenly over her straight white teeth.
"Oh, don't worry about it. It was... more of a surprise for myself then anything," she laughed quietly, reaching up and pushing a stray strand of black from her blue eyes, "Well I'm glad to be here, too, Mr. Williams. It's a amazing place!" She looked up at the clear ceiling, her smile softening into amazement.
Ah... this was perfect.

"Oh! Dr. Walker? He just left to settle in. Or at least I believe that's what he's doing." she shrugged absently, smile growing slightly.
"So, you're the man who created Echo? That's simply amazing... a personality for Atlantis! You must be a very smart man, Mr. Williams." Shifting her weight to her right foot she cocked her head to the side, black hair spilling over her shoulder, "But then again it's only the best down here."
Smiling softly she shifted weight again, deciding she was itching to go exploring around the place. The long tunnels were just calling to her... she could here the whispers...

Andrea... Andrea...

"Ah, my name is Andrea by the way. No need for formalities like Doctor."

Wade Marcotte

Wade Marcotte stayed glued to his leather seat as the transport shuttle submerged beneath the raging blue water. The young engineer was honored to be invited to Atlantis, but hours of analyzing the sub's technical manuel had convinced him that the structural integrity of this vessel would not be enough to withstand the pressure of such depths, regardless of what engineers had proved previous. Determined to save face in front of the the only representative he had met so far, the jovial shuttle pilot, Wade kept his mouth shut and smiled, hoping that claustrophobia wouldn't be today's mind killer. The twenty-four year old could normally handle small spaces, but the thought of waiting four hours to reach safety did not sit well. Physics was against this project. The only comfort he had was the white noise of the humming thrusters, taking them slowly into the dark sea. In reality, this shuttle was state-of-the-art and had everything a man would need during his short trip to the bottom of the sea, including a large selection of records. There was nothing to worry about.

Ten minutes after entering the sub, Wade couldn't take it anymore. "May I come join you up front Sir?"

"Ya' don't do water often do ya?" laughed the pilot. "Why sure, grab the co-pilot seat."

Talking to a person was just what he needed to keep his mind off of Davy Jones Locker. He noticed switchboards and gauges telling him exactly what he wanted to know about their current depth and position in the water, but his heart was now pounding, they still had three and a half hours to go. Beckoning, the older man pointed to the seat for the young, dark-eyed engineer.

"I've been coming down here for almost a year" sighed the pilot, as Wade sat down to face the front window. "It would take alot for me to want to leave this job. You and I are very safe young man."

Wade looked directly ahead as the pilot spoke. The Sea was a beautiful thing to behold, even in complete darkness. Letting go of his internal terror and very absent minded now, wade spoke his mind.

"Don't you have vascular problems from travelling so much?" Wade regreted this question as soon as he asked it. "I hope you don't." he added, in his mind blaming his current stupidity on a lack of oxygen, of which there was plenty.

"Vascular problems? Boy, do you know who is running this place?" questioned the pilot skeptically. "Everyone's health is top priority 'round here. I've delivered two doctors already, and maybe more to come!"

At least the two men had managed to talk about something as non-threatening as Healthcare policy. If it came to it, Wade would string this convorsation along for the entire trip so he would have something else to think about, other than water crashing in on them. Fortunately, Alex Barnes was an interesting man and could talk about any subject that came up. The pilot even knew a bit of Wade's history, but played it off saying he had an 'informed wife who told him those sorts of things'. As it turned out, his companion was a wealth of knowledge about Atlantis. Barnes told him about the earliest construction efforts, how the crew lived in the depths for months at a time to finish trivial details like flower arranging outisde the structure, that two of the crew even got married while in Atlantis, and that everything was top secret. All the stories couldn't have been true, especially the one about Barnes losing his pet snake in the facility, but listening to his stories was fun. Wade realized that he might be having fun from this experience. It was at this time, approximately half an hour away from their destination, that the power shut off.

"Mr. Barnes, please tell me this is a practical joke."

"Sorry Son, but we might have lost power for a minute or two."

Within seconds, Wade's mind was racing. A minute or two? This man was serious. Aboard one of the highest ranked transport subs in the World, you must beware of brown-outs. Even the most current technologically advanced systems were susceptable to dead batteries. Unacceptable. Knowing that something like this was going to happen was the worst part of this predicament. Wade didn't feel like waiting in the dark, but at the same time felt helpless... or was it sick? Thinking harder, Wade realized that he could no longer sit up straight, or that maybe he was upright, but with faeries dancing around his head. Quick Breaths weren't helping anything. He just needed to close his eyes for a moment.

Wade woke to Barnes in a groggy voice that almost sounded like chuckling. "Are you ok Son? Ya' passed out. The power is back and we can make it in ten minutes. Hang in there." Wade closed his eyes once again.


For a grand entrance and with the help of Mr. Barnes, Wade hobbled to the lobby where two large men stood. Showing his clearance badge, the young electrical engineer gave his thanks and waved goodbye. Wade did not feel well. Hopefully Barnes wasn't lying about those doctors.

(((Sorry it's a bit short.)))

Much to Sophia's agreement, her wonder calmed a bit as she walked toward the lobby. She didn't want to be seen gaping like a schoolgirl when meeting the others here. She stepped into the lobby, the well polished "whoosh" following behind her. Straightening her shirt. Wonderfully polished white buttons laced with strings that accentuated her white shirt. Tugging at it slightly as it reached her smooth black dress pants. A strand of silver hair tucking behind her ear as her gaze met the two military men. "Oh!"

Reaching into a pocket as she revealed her clearance badge, gaining nods from the two military men. Passing by them as her fingers waved in a friendly goodbye. As she walked past them, finding herself near a desk of some sort. Hearing a humming not too far off, and as her hair hit her face with the turn of her head, the source of the humming was found. A few clicks of her heel and some papers were seen spitting out of a printer. For few there were pages that appeared to continue on. A name appearing upon the top;

Wade Marcotte

Oh right, he was the engineer right? Sophia brought a hand out in order to reach the papers, seeing a mention of claustrophobia in the paper. And the only detail seemed to be a description. Sophia made an audible comment when she glanced upon the papers. "Well that isn't very helpful."

As her hand reached out to read the papers the printer began to hum again. Sophia tearing her hand away, as if there was fear of the printer growling at her reaching for the papers. Dropping her shoulders as her smile let out a sigh, your far too jumpy, calm down. The papers began to spit out and one page spat out before another page with her name at the top revealed itself.

Her hand reaching out again as she reached for the papers, her hand hovering for a moment before she reached for the papers. Waiting to see if there was another tune the printer wished to pass, and as the room fell silent she flipped through the two newly printed papers. Looking upon the first and seeing her name along the top in a bit of a scrawled print. How quaint.

Looking down the page there wasn't much. A term she had not recognized and a small description giving a synonym of "shy." And a mention her parents remained together and remain together to this day. Stated as happily married(her parents). Stating that she's in college and currently allowed to join this mission and graduate on time, they have classified her as "traveling abroad.". A mention that she can be friendly, of course in the medical terms that she had not familiarized herself with. And upon looking at the bottom of the page there was a bit of a note of "your welcome", something insinuating this was for the psychologist. Jaden N. Walker

"Well if that's the case, this is even less than less than helpful."

Wade Marcotte

Wade was in awe as he walked down the hallway from the lobby, trying to focus on his simplified guest map. The floors had been constructed from slabs of gold veined marble, and looked as though da Vinci Himself had installed each white block. Walls that were not made of plate glass were the home to multiple works of art, mainly abstract, but very beautiful. After five minutes of gazing Wade returned to his map and read that it would take a bit of travelling to reach his room.


The young engineer knew that if he didn't find a place to rest soon, illness would take over once again. Picking up speed, he now focussed on moving forward, regardless of the beauty that was Atlantis. It wasn't until he walked past the ballroom that his jaw dropped. "We have a ballroom?!" he questioned aloud, starring at the beautiful carved doors that lead to the exquisite room. "The only thing we're missing is a pool." he joked to himself while turning to walk once more.


It took a good twenty minutes for Wade to find his room, which under normal circumstances should have taken only ten. Finally reaching this place was more than a relief, it was a physical need. The only thing needed to enter this custom-made room was a card key that Wade had recieved months previous. Digging through his bags he found his watch, pocket knife, passport, laptop, wallet and a sandwich he hadn't eaten from three days ago. No card key.


Feeling water well up in his eyes was enough of a sign for Wade to realize that he needed help. Wade had been commissioned to join Atlantis because he was a BRILLIANT mind, and at this point could not even open a door. Karma.

Not even bothering to clean up the mess that was his door step, he walked to the nearest door marked 'Guest' and rapped three hard times.

Jaden N. Walker~

~Psychologist/Nurse

Jaden seemed positively tickled by the girl's reaction, waving aside her apology. "Please, don't let my teasing get to you Miss Thatcher. I assure you I'm not the least bit bothered." How could he be? This was pricelessly entertaining! He rearranged the stack of files now as he removed them from the printer, looking back to her with a quirked brow. "As for thoughts not being together, I find that it's when our train of thought is broken that we are at our most earnest. You were merely curious yes? That's a fine quality in a mind and certainly one to be expected from a scientist at the forefront of an expedition into a new frontier. You have nothing to apologize for." That was his guess based on her reaction. She seemed completely innocent, and to top it off the fact that she'd grabbed her own file spoke volumes. It either meant she was curious as to what people thought of her, or had merely been drawn to paper because it had HER name on it...either way, there was nothing inherently nefarious with her motives.

But there was also something else about this girl's eyes and way of speech...something almost intrinsically distant and mysterious, as though most of her thoughts of were elsewhere...yes. Yes he would like this one...he could already tell. There was not only a complex puzzle to explore here, but a story...and his best hunch placed this story as an interesting one. Also...something else he couldn't quite place that intrigued him... hmm..ah, yes, it was because she was cute again, wasn't it? He always seemed to forget he had far less intellectual influences to consider... no matter. Cute was a positive addendum, after all.

"Still," he gave a slightly dramatic bow, his grin unfaltering. "where are my manners? Jaden Walker, Miss Thatcher, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." straightening his posture he quirked a brow. "Just arrived have you?" As though he didn't know this to be a fact. "Have you been to your room yet? I have to say the accommodations our employers have provided have me positively floored." he gave a glance about. "I've run into a few others but we seem among the first to arrive, have you met anyone else yet?" If he played his cards right... yes! From the time, and the time it took to get down here, it was unlikely that many of the personnel arriving would have eaten...if he could steer the conversation the right way, he might be able to get them to agree to all have a meal together. One on one conversation was excellent, but seeing the way personalities bounced off one another was another useful tool. AND especially entertaining...after a bit more of keeping Miss Thatcher to himself...Yes, that was a good idea. He'd do that. He did so adore the way his mind just seemed to happen upon these ideas.

This conversation had become unusually appealing to him, but so was life when it came to the whims of a man whose only hobby was to observe life as it was. For some time he would never have dreamed to become apart of that world he always observed, but for today, he would humor his fantasies of becoming socially inept, and observe as to where it would lead. He had already done two of many things he never truly had done, first being talking to a girl, second being almost nude in front of two perfect strangers. He wouldn't hold back though. Truth be told he was so lonely. The only reason he created Echo was to have a friend to talk to.

"Well then...Andrea was it, shall we take a tour of Atlantis? I've been somewhat curious as to the wonders this place has to offer, besides being at the bottom of the deepest point in the ocean."

"Echo, would you be a so kind as to give us a tour of Atlantis?"

Within moments the warm kind motherly voice of Echo replied back. "Certainly Free, it'd be my pleasure to show you around."

Free rubbed the back of his head as he peered at Andrea with a small smile, as he gestured her to go first. He was still pretty nervous around her, just as he'd be around anyone else. Books became his friends in his long incarceration, but he had to change his ways here. No paranoia, nor the need to alienate ones self from the group, he was safe here. These people were normal people. There he was again letting his thoughts run wild.

"Also Echo do me a favor, and inform me when all personnel have arrived here within Atlantis. At least let me know when the Overseer shows up so I can brief them on the orders given to me by the higher ups."

Truth be told he hated working for the government. Besides the constant drug tests and his on call schedule, he really had no time for a real life. The bright side was that he was being paid for all those long hours he was putting in. He already owned two houses, one he was renting out to a nice newly wed couple. The pay made the job tolerable. "Will do Free, is there anything else you need?"

"No nothing for now. As always you've been a good friend Echo. We'll play a game of chess later on, once things get settled here at Atlantis. We have a lot of briefings and a few protocols to be walked through, but after all of the formalities are out of the way, we'll play a game."

Echo's voice sounded a bit excited as it replied back. "Think nothing of it Free, and I am pleased to play a game with you at any time."

Sophia's brows arched as she heard a description of a first encounter 'unusual.' This is a story she wished to hear, at least some time during her stay. Giving a nod at no way to account for surprises in life, Surprsies are the best part. And after the laugh her smile still remained quite wide, she hadn't had time to focus on a chuckle or anything of sorts when he had snuck up on her. With a casual conversation the laugh was easily able to fill the room and be enjoyed.

It was a nice laugh, that was sure, her shoulders rising slightly at it as a small breathy laugh passed through her own lips. Her eyes dropping down to the floor as she gave a bit of shift in weight, leaning to one side as her laugh passed. Her laugh passing as if she had known of the tale, which he would know as well as the other(s) he came across that she shared no such knowledge. But, through such a simple thing as his laugh it seemed he was painting a picture. A lovely picture.


His words of surprise when being invited here tore her from her thoughts. Her smile fading slightly to close over her teeth. Breathing a silent thank you as her smile grew simple, feeling the sense of professionalism she was wishing to convey. Her brows dropped slightly, mostly fading from the strange comment of surprise. And a bit of an unconscious, invisible furrow of the brows. She was rather good at hiding her confusion, thanks to a high school teacher whom would always assume her furrowing brows were confusion at the lesson when her mind was 10 chapters ahead of the said lesson. Jaden, surprised at being invited here? He was one of the best psychologist, if not the best psychologist. With the repercussions of going so far from home, on such a big mission, why wouldn't they want the best to make sure the best minds remained the sanest minds?

She was once again tore from another train of thought, quite tired of the goings on in her mind when he spoke the casual apology of his "listen to me go on." She hadn't thought it as rambling, but didn't sound her disagreement. Merely the smile that remained on her face, and a nod when he spoke of her room. She had been told it was best to come here first, if nothing else but to present yourself to the military men in the lobby.

And giving another nod and getting to know one another, looking out to the same direction as Jade as he looked out the lobby. Her hand raising slightly in a small gesture, one would give when holding a door for another. "Would you mind leading the way?"

Jaden N. Walker~

~Psychologist/Nurse

Jaden gave a chuckle, waving his hand slightly in a courteous motion of gracious acceptance, as though they were centuries back in some manner of elegant ballroom sware' "Sophia, it would be my honor, and you may of course feel free to address me however you please. Doctor, Jaden, Walker, anything therein as pleases you." he stated falling into step, a slow intentional stroll so as to show he wasn't really in any particular hurry. This walk wasn't really so much about the destination for him after all, it was the journey. "So, Sophia, if I may ask, did the men in scary black suits and sunglasses acquire you for this mission as well? Or did you get the benefit of a phone call first?" he said this with an something close to fondness in his voice, as though remembering the punchline to a rather hilarious anecdote. In truth he'd rarely had a more interesting day as when they'd come to offer him a chance to apply...chance to apply merely being a formality of course.

As he'd perhaps stated on earlier occasion, he loved surprises, and few things were as surprising as four men showing up at your office looking as though they had stepped directly from one of the pages of a spy thriller.

"Mister Walker?"

"Doctor, technically, but I don't even want to know the titles that might go along with someone like yourselves position. Secret service? FBI? Inspector or Field Agent?"

"Uh...that's..."

"Classified? I assumed as much. Regardless formality doesn't really seem worth the time spent in this circumstance, yes? You were saying?"

"Um...yes. We..."

"We being?"

"E-excuse me?"

"We being? Your name man. I'm assuming you have one, of course."

"We...My name is Smith sir."

"And you're friends? Oh! Wait, now don't tell me, are you ALL called smith?"

"Ahem, as far as you need to know sir, yes. Now if-"

"Oh this is a just delightful! And here I was thinking of staying home and messing with my neighbors today. What can I do for you Misters, Smith, Smith, Smith and Smith?"

".... Uh...we're here to offer you a... job...Sir."

"Oh.... hm hm hm, well no reason to be so flustered Mister Smith, do go on, you've my undivided attention."

"Um, y-yes, Sir."

Nice men, really. He was surprised that they were working a for a shadow branch under government funding, but then, there was the success of recruitment direct from other departments for you.

"I really have to say I was somewhat surprised to learn that all this was government funded." he glanced about at the positively breathtaking surroundings. Every inch of this facility seemed fit for a king. "I mean, certainly this is a top of the line project...but what we really have here is a glorified think tank, best and brightest or otherwise. The Government doesn't generally go so far as to be extravagant when it comes to things like living quarters."

He sent a impressed smile "I suppose I was expecting an eight by ten cube with the nessecary comforts...but this...well..." he raised both eyebrows to impose his own admiration. "This smells of corporate interest to me... or..." he wandered off with a thoughtful smile "Well... back to more intriguing matters. You're here as researcher involving marine life aren't you..." he adapted a slightly critical look for a moment. "I should hope they at least got THAT right on that excuse for an examination." he returned to his usual smile "That must be fascinating. I confess I don't know all that much about marine life beyond base biological behavioral patterns, let alone what sort of life might exist down this far...the very idea a creature could survive naturally with so much pressure and darkness baring down on it... I imagine they're true examples of Darwin's gospel." He was watching her as he always did everyone, keenly if laxly. His eyes catching every detail they could without letting on too much. His observation seemed to give many the impression he could..."see through them" or that was the common words used, so he'd taken to the habit of playing it closer to the vest. There was nothing worse for proper observation then letting the person know you were carefully trying to piece together their inner thoughts and motivations...but that was what made it fun.